Tag Archives: Christmas tree

New Year’s Eve 2018

December 31, 2018 shreffler

Mom had to work during the day so Des and Dad ventured out to Noon Year’s Eve at the Durham, despite Des feeling a bit under the weather

Packed in like toddler-sized sardines, scored a cozy spot just under the tree behind the stage

Tunes leading up to the countdown by the usual group, though when the crowd requested “Baby Shark,” they barely got through a verse (not that requests are a requisite, but how does a musician specializing in kids entertainment not know the #15 video off all time on youtube w/ 2.5 billion views?)

“3… 2… 1… Happy Noon Year!!”

As the balloons and confetti dropped, of course he hand to grab an orange balloon

Clearly worn down and ready for a nap, a sushi lunch date evolved to take-out avocado roll at home. But still tasty.

Eleanor is going bye-bye and taking her baby with her, no car seat necessary

Mom’s New Years Eve-themed gift bag from work included a silver-glitter shot glass… big hit with the little ones!

Cheers to a new year!

Special treat for dinner- poke bowls!

“Got a little something there on your shirt, sweetie…”

Christmas 2018

December 25, 2018 shreffler

‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all thro’ the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a Max

The stockings were laying by the presents with care

When, what to Des’ wondering eyes should appear…

Ella knew in a moment it must have been St. Nick.

Desmond and Eleanor listen as mom reads Santa’s thank you letter for having left out the pretzels and carrots (for the reindeer, of course) with (almond) eggnog

Eleanor mines her stocking for the next surprise

…and last, a navel orange!!

Sporting her fancy new red glitter clippy (great-grandma Jane would so approve), Ella volunteers to unpack dad’s stocking

Eleanor either steals or instinctively stows dad’s gifted jar of Huey Fong Chili Garlic Sauce (thank you, dear Billy–and Santa) in the pantry

“An orange!”

Eleanor’s “covering random objects with blankets and putting them to sleep” game is seriously upgraded with a new baby crib

A recent evolution to the family tradition of a post-stocking pretzel snack, Ella and Desmond crack open their package of craisins

Where’s Waldo? Dunno, but another generation is now searching through a crowded beach for the bespeckled and red/white scarf-wearing adventurer

Baby’s first lego set

“Backpack! Backpack! Butterfly! Backpack!”

Not sure if he’s more excited about Yoda’s hut on Dagobah, or that he now has an R2-D2 minfig

Showing off his new underwear, as you do

Present-opening collaboration for the new sushi set

Des opens Robot Turtles– an educational experience in computer science masquerading as a fun kids game

Santa is real- he got Desmond a real “remote-controlled dinosaur” (yes, apparently it’s a real thing)

Eleanor feeds her new baby

Looking over dad’s exciting new record addition- a translucent green (!) copy of A Charlie Brown Christmas by the Vince Guaraldi Trio

And lastly, a new remote-controlled car

“Here son, let me help you with that.” Hard to tell who’s having more fun…

Eleanor is curious what this magical dinosaur robot is all about

Des drawing on the 21st-century equivalent of the etch-a-sketch

Yes, Ella is fairly excited about Christmas thus far

Where is that Waldo?

Ella modeling her new/first clip-on earings

Instantly his new favorite pajamas

Lego airplane from grandma

Perusing Cal’s new ninja turtle book

Shenanigans with grandma

The yeti is now indeed in the spaghetti

“I’ll give you [Eleanor], the Founder of the feast!”

Ella trying to start another verse of “Baby Shark”

A round (literally a parade around the table) of cheers

Everyone finds a cuddle buddy at the end of the night, drifting off to sleep with visions of sugar-plums dancing in their heads…

Christmas Eve 2018

December 24, 2018 shreffler

In an effort to take more sibling photos on holidays, dad learns the kids have effectively two modes: first, “stoic disinterest-”

Followed by the “we’re (energetically) done cooperating” pose, wherein Eleanor tries to lick Desmond

Christmas Eve, 2018

At great-grandma Jan’s house for Christmas Eve dinner, Des hangs out in the basement with all the other kids. Although he’s the only one young enough to be pre-occupied by the (now vintage) Fisher Price barn and parking garage toys

Ella ready for some of ma’s soup. Probably the last great-grandchild to sit in this chair for a while, and definitely her last year

Hang on! Cruising around in the treadmill car

Enough with the backseat driving, Ella wants her turn at the wheel

November 25th, 2018

November 25, 2018 shreffler

Hanging out under the tree while dad cajoles into lighting one final year

No, she’s not sleeping. Her “put ALL the things to sleep” hobby has evolved into herself as well.

“Awake,” Ella joins the rest of the family decorating the tree.

Desmond now has about a 50% accuracy rate, where only half need resetting by mom or dad as he fetches the next ornament.

Practicing a strict “look, but don’t touch” policy, Ella gazes at one of eight Snoopy ornaments

Des placing his special Darth Vader ornament

Des placing the star upon the tree

First viewing of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

November 23rd, 2018

November 23, 2018 shreffler

Each barn Des constructs must contain a fully operational crane

While the world is out shopping, it’s a good morning for a zoo trip with some friends

Petting the starfish, which will never be the same after watching Finding Dory

Des still insists this is not Nemo, but Nemo’s father, Martin

Little fishies convention

20+ laps later, still had to coax her into going to see the butterflies

Not her first time at the butterfly pavilion, but certainly the most excited she’s been to see so many real butterflies

Ella opted to join dad (racing eyes-closed through the insect section) to see the big butterflies outside

Ella (respectfully) encounters a new, inquisitive friend

The Great Standoff

Des keeping up with Grace and Clara

Little monkeys surveying the jungle

“Is your mama a llama?” I asked my friend Dave. “No, she is not,” is the answer Dave gave. “She hangs by her feet, and she lives in a cave. I do not believe that’s how llamas behave.” “Oh,” I said. “You are right about that. I think that your mama sounds more like a…”

This may have been right after Grace bonked Ella, but no tears

“Turtle!”

“When something is new, holding a hand can help you.”

Mom thoughtfully squeezing in as much exercise before nap time

And because it was a Friday, time to seize the falafel at Oasis Falafel of Omaha. Run, don’t walk.

Celebrating Falafel Friday with aunt Kellie

A bit hangry and pouty

But who wouldn’t smile at this feast??

After naps, it was time for the annual tradition of the tree lighting at the Durham Museum. Of course it all starts with meeting this guy-

One of the first in line to see Santa, going early is certainly advantageous. Then it’s off to decorate, and then consume, cookies.

The first holiday cookie of the season

When dad asked Eleanor if she would share a little bit of her cookie, she was eager to oblige. Des points to the crumb that was (laughably) even too small for a mouse.

Rudolph!

One of these years we’ll stay late enough for the actual lighting ceremony 🙂

Des with some trepidation, but not sister.

Staring at the tiny cows and chickens

Yeah, someone is tired

December 31st, 2017

December 31, 2017 shreffler

Des practicing with his new camera. f/8 and be there, kid.

Upon reviewing, “that good picture!”

Took several weeks, but Eleanor has discovered the Christmas tree loophole: the stairs

At a friend’s house for a family New Years Eve gathering, Eleanor pulls a conversation starter card from the deck.

Des just kinda appeared upstairs with a mask. As you do.

Downstairs it was “controlled” chaos

After an hour or two of trying to put her down in the pack-n-play, mom and dad surrendered and invited Ella to the party. Flirting with the emotional disaster of sleep deprivation, she was surprisingly even-keeled throughout the night. Dad entertaining her with nibbles of baked macaroni cheese cups

“Too much haha, soon boo-hoo…” Eleanor enjoy the noisemakers at first, but her enthusiasm eventually wained

Ok, the yawns eventually settled in

Meanwhile, Des is curled up with Grace downstairs

This is not a picture of Eleanor dealing Cards Against Humanity cards

The countdown…

2018! The first year both children made it to midnight. Tomorrow mom and dad shall envy all those with skull-splitting hangovers.

Yeah, it’s time to go to bed

December 24th, 2017

December 24, 2017 shreffler

Up early for one of our favorite traditions, pretzels in the making

Who doesn’t love to smash a good egg yoke?

Sugar bae

“Hi mom!”

Des holding his prize possession in the cart seat, as you do

Pa enticing Eleanor to play her favorite game- adult hopping! Doesn’t look like great-uncle Pat is having it

Happy, mere moments before pulling on that towel in the background and nearly braining herself with the pull-down cabinet door. A few tears, but barely a mark. 1960’s safety technology at work.

Des staring down a bowl of ma’s transcendent cream of artichoke soup

Pictured: a rare glimpse of what has come to be known as the “Shriek of Justice!” (an homage to The Princess Bride): a high-pitched warning horn Ella sounds at the faint smell of unfairness. This will all get easier when she acquires language skills, right?

Desmond in his fancy argyle sweater, playing with great-grandma Jan’s toys that have stood the test of time

Cousin hugs/patience

Mom just kinda put it on her finger and walked away. It took a few minutes…

Eleanor witnessing the gift exchange shenanigans first-hand

O Tannenbaum…

December 9th, 2017

December 9, 2017 shreffler

An annual tradition, visiting Santa at pa’s union hall.

Finally a Christmas tree Eleanor is allowed to touch

Touch all the things!

Practicing her walking more so than her brother, she’ll routinely take several steps. Des just decided not to walk for some time after he initially learned.