Christmas 2010

This year we finally got a real Christmas tree! We tried to say it was for Eli (so we wouldn't feel so guilty about the environmental impact) but really it's because we've been putting up the same FAKE tree since we lived in Germany ... in 1997! To make it even more shameful, we bought our tree at The Home Depot! Ha! Ha! Ha! But we were in a time crunch and they offer a military discount. Ug.
Eli rode along to pick out the tree. We're a little wary of taking him out in public ever since he learned how to walk. Those bruises are from 1. Pulling a lamp down on top of his head at Becca's house (Teresa was supposed to be watching him. I'm just saying.), and 2. Falling into the side of the coffee table at the hotel. Sigh.

We really were in a time crunch ... see our suitcases still in the driveway?

As a side note, I bought some super-cute new boots for the snowy winter here in Salt Lake City. They're totally not warm and really slippery on the snow. Don't tell Mike. I wore them all day and didn't complain. My feet were freezing and I almost fell down a bunch of times. Again, please don't tell Mike.

 Mike took his lumberjack duties very, very, very seriously ...

 Weird name, cute tree stand:

 Eli, where is/are your ... Hat? Mittens? Coat? Parental supervision?

What? Who dresses this person?

 So, ya, the tree ended up being a little short. But still beautiful!

 Look at Mike's butt. Funny.

 Even Eli sees the humor in that ...

 We decided to block the front door and put the tree upstairs. Which we decided was a great idea once we saw how many needles fell off on a daily basis! Eli was very curious, but all in all very respectful of the tree. Of course, we didn't put any ornaments on it, which helped.

In other Christmas traditions, Eli got to see Santa Claus. Not just once ...

Best mall Santa EVER! Park Plaza Mall, Little Rock, AR

 But TWICE!

Umm ... NOT the best Santa ever, according to Eli. Little Scholars, SLC, UT

We saw the Zoo Lights at the Hogle Zoo ...

 Eli did his best dinosaur impression, and stayed warm, too!

 And we even got to see some of the Zoo animals. Which made me cry a little, and further confirmed my hatred of all zoos. But I digress ..

Eli took treats to all of his teachers and friends at his school, Little Scholars:

... and his teachers, Miss Bambi and Miss Melissa, helped him make a present for us: 

And of course Santa (and Mommy and Daddy, and Glen, Lori and Norah, and Gramy and Grampy, and the other Grampy and Jennifer, and Auntie Megan and Uncle Tuna ...) brought lots and lots and lots of presents:

We tried out his new bike seat with a little practice "fall." We seriously need to get this poor kid a helmet!

 As usual, Maggie tolerated the day ... barely. But she did get a new May Bed to sleep in.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!