Absent

I know,I know... its been awhile.

We've been busy ENJOYING the holiday season this year (imagine that)!

For Thanksgiving, we had a lovely dinner at my Aunt and Uncle's house in Visalia. They always host a big family hoo-la, and its been years since we made it for the event. The kids had a great time, and were fantastic little travelers. And me without my camera. Nice one.

We got our tree the day after Thanksgiving, and were the second customer of the season at the live Christmas tree lot down the street. Dawson got to fulfil his lumberjack fantasy, and Anabelle was the most ambitious little helper elf you ever saw... ha.

Heh. I don't know WHAT is up with her death glare, or where in the world she gets it (*blushes*), but MAN, that girl has got a POUT! Santa is watching, we tell her. I don't think she cares. Hmph. She did cheer up a bit and actually had a good time...


Kyle came with us, to help, and to take a family picture of us that I will send out in our Christmas card. Send me your address if you want one!


We spent most of the rest of the long weekend decking the halls.

We had so much fun in our group effort, listened to some Christmas music, and even managed to avoid a nasty toddler fight by putting the star on top of the tree twice. Ha.


And to top a Merry long weekend off, Tyson actually got the Christmas lights put up... without jeopardizing our marriage... and then requested that we all bundle up and go for a brisk evening stroll to make a hit list of admire all the neighbors who one-upped our light display.
In other McDermott holiday news, I have YET to shop and really honestly don't plan to much at all this year. We are baking, staying up late and eating cookies, attending several local parades and community events, and enjoying the finer things in life this year that don't involve gift receipts.

And we couldn't be happier about it.