It's a Detling Thing...: 2008

Friday, December 19, 2008

Christmas in NYC

We went into the city last weekend to see the Rockefeller Christmas tree and Santa at Macy's. It was really cold and of course there were tons of people there but it was still nice to go into the city for the day.

Daniel lounging around on the train into the city: He was licking the windows and everything...so gross! But hey - he's still alive.

Rockefeller Center and the "reedy, reedy, big tree!"

Nora all bundled up and me

Daniel was happy to be in the stroller with blankets to keep him warm.

NYC

At Macy's: Ready to go see Santa! The line went on FOREVER!

Mom, Nora, and Daniel

Finally...SANTA! ("Santa...I KNOW HIM!" name that movie) Humm...Where's Daniel?... Hiding behind one of the elves. It's ok - we weren't going to push it.

Alrighty then...it's just me and Nora and Shannon.

Heading back to Grand Central we kept seeing hoards of people dressed up like Santa.

More Santa's

Finally - I just stopped one of the Santa's in Grand Central and asked him if he would take a picture with Daniel since he didn't want his picture with Santa at Macy's. If only we'd known that Daniel would be happier with a Grand Central Santa...it could have saved us a lot of time...oh well.

Sleeping Under the Tree

One of my favorite traditions growing up was getting to sleep under the Christmas tree one night. When I was little I thought it was something everyone did at Christmas! Apparently not. I have such good memories of us four sisters with our blankets and pillows making our little beds under the tree every year. I was so excited to carry this tradition on with our family. Daniel could hardly believe that I was actually suggesting that he sleep under the tree. He thought it was the coolest thing ever.

Daniel's bed all ready under the tree.

Ready for bed.

Sleepy Boy

Before he went to bed we played with the little nativity set:

Daniel loves to hear the story of the Nativity. When I told him that the three wise men brought gifts for the baby Jesus - he HAD to know what the gifts were. So I told him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. He thought the word myrrh was so funny! Now when HE tells the story he makes sure to include gold, frankincense, and MYRRH (with some giggles after myrrh).

Reading Christmas books by the light of the twinkle lights: This picture is from a different night when Daniel's friend Jackson was over. He loves his friend Jackson!

Snip, Snip

Daniel got his first real haircut this past week. I have always cut his hair but it was getting so long that I really didn't know how to cut it anymore. I love his hair all long and shaggy but it was hanging into his eyes so I finally decided he needed a trim. I kind of miss how long it was before - but it will grow back...right?

Before his haircut

Before his haircut he would wake up every morning like this: his hair all clumped up and in a fro.

After: He always has to pull a face in pictures now.

After

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Sleigh Ride

I couldn't resist taking a few more pictures of Nora in the sleigh in this cute outfit that my friend Ashley- from North Carolina sent her. Thanks Ashley!

Oh nice...right on the new outfit!

A little brotherly love...

Daniel loves his Elf on the Shelf -a tradition we started last year.

The story is that the elf comes to your house and watches to see if you are naughty or nice and goes back to the north pole to report to Santa every night. So every morning when you wake up the elf is in a new spot in the house and the kids get to find him. Daniel named our elf Yogi!

Tickled that he found Yogi. He thought it was pretty funny that Yogi was hanging upside down from the lamp that morning.

A moment of hope: For one brief shining moment Daniel wanted to lay next to Nora and just hold her hand. Not poke her...not sit on her...just hold her hand. Ahh...it gives me hope. :)

Friday, December 5, 2008

O Christmas Tree

Every year Shannon tries to convince me that we should get a fake tree and one of these years he'll realize that it's not worth suggesting anymore. He's doesn't mind real trees - but he's an accountant. He's economical and practical - so a fake tree makes sense. But we always had a real tree growing up and I'm just too sentimental to change now. Not to mention that Daniel has really been looking forward to getting a tree. So, last Saturday we went to Stew Leonard's to get our Christmas tree. Daniel could hardly wait to get to the store. When we finally got there he was more interested in all of the pine needles on the ground. He spent most of his time picking them up and and throwing them everywhere. He had a good time decorating it once we got it home though.

Clearly Nora is thrilled by the experience.

Decorating the tree.

Daniel kept going on and on about how we needed a star for the top of the tree. The bow was a bit of a disappointment.

One of my favorite Christmas decorations is this little sleigh. Nora just happens to be the right size for it. How could I resist?

We put up a little Christmas village on Daniel's bookcase in his room. He's been having a great time playing with it.

Daddy and Nora: She loves her daddy!

Monday, December 1, 2008

Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving. One of my old BYU roommates - Joni - came to visit from D.C. It was great to have her here for a few days! We both love to cook so we had a great time swapping recipes and getting ready for Thanksgiving. A few families from our ward came over for Thanksgiving dinner as well. We're so thankful to have such good friends here in Connecticut. They make all the difference.