a Colorado Christmas

“As we crossed the Colorado-Utah border I saw God in the sky in the form of huge gold sunburning clouds above the desert that seemed to point a finger at me and say, "Pass here and go on, you're on the road to heaven.”

― Jack Kerouac

We spent Christmas with my dad's side of the family in pretty, pretty Colorado. Twenty-eight of us in one big house. It was a little less Griswold than I thought it would be and a whole lot of fun. AND I finally got to ski with that handsome husband of mine. We sat in the snow half way down the mountain - his snowboard and my skis resting out in front of us - and looked out over the beautiful pine trees, snow capped mountains and bright blue sky and didn't just feel, but physically were closer to heaven. It felt like Christmas indeed.

Santa baby

“One shouldnt ask oneself how a person flies or why, but simply start flying.” 

― Tomas Eloy Martinez

She started crying the minute he reached his white gloved hands toward her

and so, Lyla Bird's Santa Claus photo album is starting out just like her mama's.

Sweet girl stopped crying the second she was back in her daddy's arms. 

Actually, I kind of love this picture a lot. 

Merry Christmas!!!

“Christmas doesn't come from a store, 
maybe Christmas perhaps means a little bit more....” 

― Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

There is nothing quite like Christmas morning at home. 

We got back from NYC on Friday night and after a Christmas party that night

we headed home to homemade cookies, delicious meals and a constant glow from the fireplaces.

Rob's sweet grandmother passed away the night before Christmas Eve

and so this Christmas our family means more to us than ever. 

We are celebrating life - Grandmother Davis' full life and the 

very beginning of baby girl's life growing in my belly -

and the true meaning of Christmas.

Merry Christmas!!!! 

Lights and an evergreen candle.

“Laura felt a warmth inside her. It was very small, but it was strong.  
It was steady, like a tiny light in the dark, and it burned very low 

but no winds would make it flicker because it would not give up.” 

― Laura Ingalls Wilder, The Long Winter

After dinner last night, we sipped hot chocolate in the glow of Christmas lights  
and watched a movie together.  It was a perfect December night. 

Our Christmas decorations are rather low-key this year...but its simplicity sits right with me.
I do want to get a wreath for the door, but other than that... our simple Christmas tree, the nativity snow globe that my dad gave us and my favorite Christmas candle that smells like fresh evergreen
is filling my heart with so much cheer that I think it might explode.

Mr. D and I heard our baby's strong little heart beating at the doctor this morning...
I don't believe either of us have ever been more happy or thankful than we are this Christmas season.

----------------------------------

How I welcomed December in...

“That is why, walking across a school campus on this particular December morning, 

I keep searching the sky. As if I expected to see, rather like hearts, 

a lost pair of kites hurrying toward heaven.”
― Truman Capote

 This morning we ate Belgian waffles with raspberries on top while still cozy in bed

and laughed as Lucy howled about welcoming the new day.

Later, I opened the window in our bathroom and watched the steam from the shower 

puff up and swirl against the cold air.

And that is how I welcomed December in...

with warm steam filling my lungs and cold air simultaneously taking my breath away.

 Happy December!

photos talen by Mr.D

Christmas lights, Kleenex boxes and a very cute holiday Moose....

“I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person 

by the way (s)he handles these three things: 

a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.”
― Maya Angelou

The only thing more miserable than morning all day sickness is having a flu/cold thing on top of it...and since Tylenol is basically the only medicine you can take while pregnant, I have been walking around with a Kleenex box, my water bottle and a little baggy of Tylenol in hand. 

Minus getting sick Saturday, our Thanksgiving holiday with family was wonderful and now I can hardly wait to start decorating our house for Christmas. Its our first Christmas married, so I feel a lot of joyful pressure to go all out....if baby and I can just kick this nasty sickness first! 

On my immediate to-do list: finish our Christmas cards and start making the garland (more on this later...Im so excited!)

Hope you had a very happy Thanksgiving...
and Moose wishes you a very merry Christmas season! 

snow on Christmas morning

It was the first Christmas with just the four of us

and I would not have changed a single thing!

We awoke to huge white snowflakes descending

on the foothills of the Blue Ridge in the backyard.

 Christmas music floating around the house

while a fire and warm apple cidar warmed 

our fingers and toes.

This Christmas was one of my very favorites

I am so thankful I was able to spend it with the people I love most. 

Christmas Eve Eve

"I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!"
— Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Today is my last day at work before Christmas - and the office is thankfully closing early.

Last night Mr. D and I finished almost all of our Christmas shopping in Georgetown.

Tonight around midnight we will head out to the country. 

Around this time each year, I am almost always filled with a desire to slow down time -

to put a permanent hold on the day or two before Christmas.

When Christmas music fills the air no matter where you go

and Peppermint Ice Cream is still stocked on shelves and easy to find.

But this year, I am so excited for what comes next, 

that I no longer dread the 26th. 

I am looking so forward to Christmas at home 

and joining friends in New York City shortly after! 

Merry Christmas Eve Eve!

photo found here.