December 2015

In honor of the fall of Fall: 

The ritual slaughter of the decorative pumpkins. 

 Anna handled it quite well, considering her deep affection for her collection of "GODES!"

Photostrip from the day prior: 

A look of concern that Anna might be getting away with something. She was.

Oh so helpful in cleaning up the front garden for winter. 

On the swing at church

Playground portraits

Because we know we're about to be waaay too much inside for months!

 And when the weather gets cold and the playground goes away, the "CRASH PILE!!!" comes out

More winter craziness 

Dinner helpers

 My cutie at 18 months, nibbling her grahams

Making sure Da gets his share.  

 And Christmastime arrived! 

Given reasonable questions as to Anna's self-control, and because we wouldn't be around for Christmas anyway, we opted for the small tabletop tree this year. 

Why yes, yes we did paint our door for Christmas. Kind of. 

 Peter was most helpful wrapping presents. I encouraged him to devote all his artistic energies to this one very special box. 

Not too shabby. Though the pic doesn't do justice to the profusion of scotch tape and wrapping paper cellophane trimming. 

He proudly declared, "I want to give this one to Thatha!"*

Care group Christmas party. This guy (the big one) scored some major points with the little ones when he came bearing gifts. 

A train set, and the so-named, "Mr.EjimGiraffe" 

Here, I don't remember why I was outside in the cold, but then who could feel cold with these faces blocking one's way in? 

The preschool Christmas pageant. Peter was a strong silent Joseph.  

That sweet face. Never mind that he's supposed to be turned around and singing. 

A Christmas Feast with our buddies

Christmas Morning # 1: Dec 21 in Gaithersburg: Ready to open West-Coast Martin Fam Presents 

[And then we flew to Arizona, the adventures of which I'll detail in the next post.]

Fast forward to... Back from AZ, the last few days of December. 

 Christmas Morning #2: End of Dec in Gaithersburg: Opening presents from Mommy and Daddy:

They are so ready.

 And then, a spill off the couch brought us Massive Headwound Harry. Thankfully, no harm done. 

Happy New Year, Y'all. 

*"Thatha" is Tamil for "Grandpa." Refers to our friend Sri Kasturi in Chennai, Ninnu's Grandfather. Since his accident in October, Peter prays for him daily and often pretends he is "sailing to India to see Thatha."