Christmas Blog
Technically Grandpa Hazelton’s post is older than this one; it’s been almost impossible to find a minute to write with the near-constant Phoebe wrangling, but I didn’t want to top-post our first ever guest blogger less than 24 hours later. In truth, we’d welcome Grandpa back in a flash; Phoebe requires constant vigilance now, as she can get into just about everything.
We all had a lovely Christmas holiday. It was great to have Grandpa visit. Phoebe seemed to start out a little shy, but by the 2nd day or so they were getting along like great friends. This year I tried to get some different stuff for Jess than in previous years. For starters, she’s been jealous of the picture quality on some of our friends’ blogs, so I got her a book on taking pictures of children. I also got her a book on knife skills in the kitchen, ’cause like Napoleon says, “girls like guys with great skills” (works both ways). With Phoebe constantly under foot, it was easy to find a commemorative Christmas ornament for 2010, and Phoebe and I picked out some cute new salt and pepper grinders to replace the broken set that just leaks all over the house.
Jess and Phoebe got me a couple of new CDs, some pants (much needed) and a pair of shorts that will certainly come in handy in the near future. I found a new beard trimmer in my stocking from everyone’s favorite bearded holiday celebrity. I tried it out, and it works! I’m sure Jess is as thankful to Santa for that stocking stuffer as anyone. . . things were starting to get a little rough.
As Grandpa Hazelton mentioned in his guest blog post, his pile of gifts wasn’t massive, but we managed to find him a 6-out-of-6 puzzle that looked pretty easy (so we knew it would be a brain melter). The object was to remove two nuts from a bolt and reverse them so that they read nut-case instead of case nut. I feel stupid now, but it took me a little while to figure out why there was a smaller nut rattling around inside the contraption. . .think about it. He also got a neat new headlamp for his walks from Santa. That dude with a beard really knows what everyone needs.
If Grandpa had the smallest stack of gifts, Phoebe had the largest. Her stocking was stuffed with awesome utilitarian gifts like wet-wipes and socks, and she even got a bottle of sweet potato puffs. We all tried them and determined that they’re too sweet. I think we prefer the plain Cheerios, which seem cheaper and healthier. Grandma and Grandpa Gribble sent her a book called Bubble Trouble which features a character named Gribble (Not Dale) and more rhyming than a Dr. Seuss classic. It’s actually a bit difficult to read, but fun at the same time. They also got Phoebe a rideable locomotive that seems to make as much noise as the real thing. She was a bit weary of it at first, but had a thoroughly enjoyable play session the other day. She also got some fantastic new outfits that you’ll all be seeing in pictures over the coming year.
Last night, Jess and I celebrated the new year together at home. Phoebe was snuggled in bed, and we pigged out on fancy cheese and split a bottle of Avery’s Mephistopheles Stout. It was too yummy for Jess, so I finished her glass. We also made some bacon-wrapped jalapeños and split part of a dark chocolate with orange candy bar. Unfortunately, the first (and last) snow storm of the year stopped our friends from making it out to Lafayette from Boulder, but we stocked the fire and made the best of things.
We’re looking forward to a new and exciting year of watching our curious little daughter grow and learn. Best wishes to all of you for an exciting and happy 2011. Enjoy the rest of these fun holiday pictures.
