MERRY

Happy new year! As I write this, we are well into 2016. We planned to keep things simple for Christmas, and looking back, I'm pleased with the outcome. Few presents, very few plans, and lots of time to enjoy our home and community. The week leading up to the big day was full of fun activities chosen each morning based on our moods.  Swimming at the Y, a day trip to Columbus Indiana to visit another children's museum and our favorite ice-cream parlor, cappuccinos and hot chocolate at coffee shops, hiking, parks, and lots of time together and with friends. This Christmas was one of my favorites since Finn's birth. It was quiet and reflective, but also full of excited anticipation and joy. We seemed to have abundant time, which is NEVER the case for us, and these days that is the best gift I could receive. Below are some photos of how we spent that time.

Created a map of our route to look at christmas lights.

Quick stop at a coffee shop for hot chocolate before looking at christmas lights

I love how much he enjoyed this.

And he's really good!

Fossil Search

Hiking in the COLD

cookie decorating

Enjoying the fruits of his labor

Finn to mom and dad: "Let's build a whole city. We have all day to make this work."

city planning

silliness at the ice-cream parlor

Super friends

super friends giving christmas gifts at the animal shelter

Christmas Eve Soccer

Cookies for Santa

SANTA CAME!

Yep. He's a lego kid.

Rehydrating to keep up with the playing.