Frosty the...Victim of Hemorrhagic Fever?

It snowed a couple of inches yesterday.  Enough that I had to go out and buy a shovel, rock salt, and other supplies that a family that has never been in charge of their own snow removal does not own.

Andrew was a surprisingly helpful shoveler.  Even better, the never-used boots and snow pants from last year fit.  Finally, my knack for buying the wrong-sized clothes pays off.
 

After the shoveling chore was dispensed with, Andrew and I built our first snowman together.  I was in charge of the base, Andrew did the head. We topped it off with a baby carrot nose and two grape Skittles for eyes.

Today Frosty seems to be listing to one side and the Skittles have dissolved into a red smear.  Our snowman looks like he has taken ill with Ebola.

Next snowstorm: sledding.  We're ready for winter.

Christmas Morning

Merry Christmas -- hope everyone had a nice holiday.  We had a relaxing Christmas day at home that began with Andrew shouting to us from his crib, "I'm ready to go downstairs and open my presents!"  He descended the stairs very slowly and timidly, taking everything in and then asked quietly, "Where's Santa?"  While perhaps momentarily disappointed that Santa hadn't spent the night on our couch just waiting for him, Andrew quickly cheered up and eagerly opened his presents.

Sporting his new frog slippers:

Mastering his new racetrack:

 Going through his stocking:

The video below shows a bit of Andrew's running commentary as he delved into his stocking.  It was a lot of fun to spend Christmas with an almost-3-year-old.

Longwood Visit

In mid December we paid our annual visit to the holiday display at Longwood Gardens.  Here is Andrew with the garden railway.

Lately whenever we visit some place where we are using a map, Andrew insists on taking charge of it.  

Holiday Festivities

We spent an afternoon recently at our favorite local orchard (yes. again.) where we visited Santa, did some Christmas crafts, went on a hayride, cut down our own Christmas tree, and toasted marshmallows.  It really is a fun orchard!

One of the crafts was this bird feeder pinecone below. It's been hanging on our front porch for a week without any takers.

Andrew was considerably more excited to visit with Santa this year, compared to last year. He asked Santa for a truck and as Greg led him away from the sleigh he looked around in confusion and asked, "where's my truck?"

Below: Drinking this winter's new favorite treat -- hot cocoa with marshmallows.

Our tree decorator:

Andrew's tree trimming style can best be described as "concentrated."

Hanging the stockings by the chimney with care.  A REAL chimney this year. No more fireplace DVD for us.

The legitimate fireplace came just in time, as this year Andrew can better grasp the Santa myth.  He has been expressing concern about the whole fireplace/chimney situation though, asking Greg this weekend, "Can you please don't burn Santa."