Christmas!

Posted on 2012-12-312018-04-10 by zsmd

Merry Christmas everyone!

We had a fabulous Christmas with family and friends. The Shaffers hosted everyone down in Durham North Carolina.

We had lots of family all stuffed into the house and Moxie enjoyed all the attention. She got to meet many of the family for the first time including Uncle Owen, Aunt Mary, Megan, Ashely, and Jack.

She also got to see some folks she hadn’t seen in a long time including Hannah–who left town after meeting one day old Moxie and has just come back. It was fabulous.

Sadly, we spent Moxie’s first Christmas away from her grandpa and grandma but we got to have a video chat with them on Christmas Day and they gave Moxie the coolest gift ever:

On Christmas morning we had a lazy start with lots of hanging around in PJs. Luckily Moxie got in contact with her cousins and they coordinated outfits. The rest of us looked like total dorks. We all left our footie pajamas at home.

Stockings were a serious event. First they were all hung (by pencil) on the giant beautiful hearth at Château Shaffer. Please note the stocking at the top of the group is Moxie’s. Her father decided to hang it there on Christmas Eve. While the fire was burning and everyone else was in the kitchen–he snuck a stuffed ottoman onto the brick and climbed up. Totally safe and totally worth it.

Mary, Catie and Bibi worked all year to collect the goodies and then all night to stuff the stockings. We all made out like bandits.

Strider tried to wear all of his gifts. It was his way of showing his appreciation. You can’t see it but he is actually wearing his stocking on his foot. Classy.

A while later we had Christmas dinner. Holy fancy pants. Everyone chipped in with cooking (directed by Chef Shaffer) or setting up the living room. It turned out to be a really lovely way to spend an evening.

Megan and Jack brought poppers for everyone to pull. Each one had a crown, some jokes, and, if you were lucky, a toy. Uncle Tony got a whistle.

We also took some nice group photos of various kinds. Here’s one our immediate family.

Here’s one of the girl cousins. It was taken by a bear.

We had a wonderful time and can’t wait for next year. When we told Moxie we wouldn’t be doing this again for another twelve months this is how she reacted:

Ryan’s Birthday

Posted on 2012-12-112018-04-10 by jesslee

We went out to celebrate Ryan’s birthday on Sunday. He looked great and has some cool plans for his future. He also thought Moxie was, “Much more human.” Than the last time he saw her (at Thanksgiving).

Thanksgiving

Posted on 2012-11-262018-04-10 by jesslee

Moxie’s Thanksgiving went really well. We were grateful for the family and friends we got to spend time with and missed those we didn’t get to see. We spent the day with the Shaffer cousins: Ryan and Helen, the Mark-Tucker Clan: Tony, Karen, and Ruby, and the Marks: Jerry and Sue. We ate delicious food (none of which we contributed–Karen gave us a pass this year with the new baby–we appreciate it because we can barely dress ourselves these days), had wonderful conversation, and spent time with people we love.

Moxie wore her special Thanksgiving outfit we got for like 75% off at Janie and Jack. She looked super cute:

Moxie sits up (sort of) showing off her outfit.

Moxie and Dad hanging at the Mark-Tuckers

Little Miss Wiggle Feet posing for the camera

We hung out and helped out in prep for the delicious dinner. We also skyped with Hannah (studying abroad in Scotland this semester).

I’m on the couch chatting with Hannah while others debate the fiscal cliff.

Queen of the Kitchen rocking her scene.

Moxie and Sue say “Hi” to Hannah.

Enjoying convos and apps.

Dinner was, of course, really good and so was the conversation. Moxie slept for most of the meal in the ErgoBaby carrier and then hung out being cute for the rest.