The Merriest of Merry Christmases

We have been blessed with a very happy daughter. We could add a disclaimer, say she'll probably get us back during her teen years, etc., but for now, we're just going to count our blessings and  bask in the smiles and giggles that greet us daily. She's ear-infection-free (finally), and just when we thought she couldn't get any happier...Christmas came. To our delight, she is as enamored with the season as her mom is and the joy of watching her excitement and cheer made this Christmas our merriest yet. The many pictures to follow may provide a nice mental break from your resolution writing (unless of course one of your resolutions was to stop procrastinating...in which case, you should probably check them out when you're all finished).

We kicked off the weekend before Christmas with a visit from The Bowers Family (Dan and Jill, good friends from Tech) and had our first chance to meet sweet Lily, destined to be a close gal pal of Al...

We've designated Allie as our official Eicholtz Family Greeter.

Lily, it's not too late to put one of these on your Christmas list, you know. Don't worry, I'll put in a good word for you with the big guy.

No hands! No hands! Here I come!

Raise the roof, Christmas friends!

Grandmom and Grandpa are here! Let the Christmas festivities begin! But first a game of catch...

Santa called in the reinforcements. Something tells us this won't be the last time that Daddy is hard at work Christmas Eve.

Frosty! Look at you go!

'Doodle-doodle, Grammy!' (Translation: 'Jingle-jingle, Grammy!')

Our best Christmas gift yet.

What do you mean this isn't a candy cane?

The first of many tea parties with Daddy.

Merry Christmas good buddy.

She's got the whole 'wonder of the season' thing down.

Merry Christmas, Grandpa! Thanks for getting up to keep us company so early in the morning.

Merry Christmas, Grandmom! Look, the tree's still there!

Daddy got up really early too so I could see my new kitchen digs. Alright, guys, breakfast's on me!

Yeeeeeeeeeeeeeees!!! I love you too, dolly!

We love our Al, but this relaxed Christmas crew picture was taken while someone was settled down for her morning Christmas nap.

I'm back! And ready to ride!

I needed a passenger for the HOV lanes in the neighborhood.

Abs: Well this is cozy. You guy are welcome on my couch anytime.

Love my pup.

...a lot.

Catching up with my ladies. Merry Christmas Memom, Aunt Sue, Lori and Mumsy!

It's Daddy's cousins, Jason and Daniel! I knew you guy were real!

Hey Pop and Mumsy, let's take a picture! Right here in front of the Christmas tree, that's it, smile for the...hey, nice earring.

Our good friends the Buehlers (Celeste /'Neighbor' and Shawn) received a precious early Christmas gift on December 21st. Welcome to the world, Sarah Elizabeth Buehler! We love you already.

Christmas blessings.

 We topped off our Christmas celebrations with a visit from Allie's cousins Tim and Alice and Aunt Brenda and Uncle Jonathan. She showed them her new kitchen-within-a-kitchen set-up and we dined on a Christmas pizza. It's been a very good Christmas.

You sure you don't want me to whip up a souffle?

Christmas cousins.