I am.

Are you?

Our fridge sums it up nicely (this photo was taken 10 minutes ago)…

DECEMBER WHAT?! Can you believe it is the first of December? I just threw Millie’s left over Halloween candy away, so amidst the boxes of Christmas ornaments yet to be placed on the tree is Millie’s trick or treat bag.

Where did November go…

WHO WANTS TO HEAR ME BLATHER ON ABOUT THE SWIFT PASSAGE OF TIME? I am guessing nobody. Instead I will tell you the story of our…

Thanksgiving!

It was nuts and it was wonderful (that is how most things are around here, have you noticed that trend?)

But I get ahead of myself! So much of what makes Thanksgiving rock is what happens before the actual feast, true?

For us there was much shopping, hauling, stirring, baking, basting, fretting, setting, humming, skipping and so forth…

Millie provided most of the skipping (but I joined in because, WHAT’S A HEART FOR?!)

On a scale of 1 to 10 how cute is this little pilgrim, asks the doting mother?!

Millie’s Pre-school has a little feast every year. Check it out!

After the feast (and whilst the skipping ensued) I brought in the groceries and this very cute baby that I found who took a real shine to me… for some unknown reason! (hardy har, har!)

Then, the cooking began!

The following day,

we enjoyed a leisurely Thanksgiving morning – mostly spent loafing and simply being together. It was, really heavenly!

We hung out with the girls then went on a walk through our little town center. We watched people coming off the train with their luggage in tow. We saw them embrace their families and trot off to their cars. It was just tender. And made us very excited for our family to arrive.

They did come – despite moving, shooting a film, and having to work they all made it! And seriously, could they be any more darling?!

It was just right. Ask our very own Goldie-locks. My favorite things on the table were the rolls and apple pie ala Nikki. Good action, Nikks! You knocked it out of the park with that pie, I tell ya!

The following morning Alli had to head back to work and Cam & Nikki had to jet off to get their apartment packed up for their move. With much prodding, they left their little man John-o behind and we had a swell time chillaxing with our favorite Manhattan-ite.

Good times were had by all. And may I say that I think my nephew is a rock star relative. The kid was charming. He ate, and slept (which is more than I can say for certain parties who live under this roof) and was a sheer delight to have around. We love you, little John!!

Later that evening we walked into town for the Madison Christmas parade. It was a little rinky-dink, in a charming, small town kind of way. It was also very, very cold. I wasn’t quite sure how I felt about it.  But as soon as Allison turned up everything got better. She stood behind me and oohed and awed over every last detail, including appreciating the Mickey Mouse inflatable Santa strapped to the back of a truck. She is such a wonderful appreciator. You are the best, Ali!

(A random lady stopped me to tell me she liked my hat, which was nice of her because it took a fair amount of courage to wear it – thank you, dear random stranger lady for making your opinion known to me!)

We came home and warmed ourselves by the fire and played with Millie’s princess face cards.

I walked into the living room to find Allison and Millie warming their feet by the fire’s glow (everyone should have an aunt who would do this with them!)

Once we were adequately toasty, we had some dinner.

The salad had pomegranates in honor of Millie’s new favorite reading material, Persephone!

On Saturday, as per tradition, we cut down our tree. And I tell you what, she is a BEAUTY!

Every year Ian and Allison have a friendly little race up the hill. We went to a different Xmas tree farm this year, but that didn’t stop I & A. They found themselves hill and they went for it!  When the race ended Millie ran up after them to announce that they had BOTH won, “It was a tie! It was a tie!” she shouted. They rushed back to meet her.

Just look at all the energy in this photo. I love that Ian and Allison both have their arms wide open to receive Millie.

And that my friends is what it is ALL about.

So, happy Halloween, happy Thanksgiving, and may your Christmas be merry, bright, and full of all that is good and true.

This time of year is so wonderfully out of control in so many ways – but oh, I am so grateful despite this crazy world we live in there is still a little bit of magic in the air. The world may try to squeeze the Savior out of Christmas but He shows up every year. He is in the very air we breath. So I guess as long as there is air he will still be with us. (Thank Heavens!!)

Even the grumpy New Jersey-ites are a little less grumpy, and that is something worth celebrating!

My Christmas wish for you and me is that we embrace each other and this joyous season with open hearts and W I D E open arms.

Let the good times roll!!!