Happy Holidays!

After Thanksgiving comes Gavin's birthday, and after Gavin's birthday come CHANUKAH and CHRISTMAS!  Being an interfaith family comes with challenges, but it's pretty special to be able to share in each other's traditions this time of year.

We obviously haven't celebrated Christmas yet, but a few weeks ago we were able to celebrate Chanukah with my parents.  For our big gift, my parents watched Gavin so Stephen and I could go downtown for Sunday brunch at the Hilton Netherland.  We love having brunch there -- it reminds us of some key moments in our relationship, like the weekend we got engaged and our baby shower.  Plus, you really can't beat their eggs benedict.  :)  (Yummmm!)   Honestly, sometimes it's just nice to get dressed up and go downtown!  Later that evening, we had dinner at my parents house -- chicken, latkes, homemade applesauce -- it was really special and delicious.  After we were good and full, we lit the menorah and opened presents as we waited for the candles to die down.  Gavin loved opening presents, though he tended to like the wrapping paper and boxes more than the actual gifts.  With so many gift-giving celebrations in December, he's becoming a real pro at ripping apart packages!  We sure missed my sibs and their spouses this year, but we've been blessed to see them as often as we have lately.

 

Stephen's favorite holiday is Christmas, so we are excited to celebrate that next.  His stocking is hanging on the mantle for me and Gavin to fill, presents are wrapped, cookie recipes from Pinterest are ready to be baked!  I'm sure we'll have lots of photos to post of Gavin elbow-deep in cookie dough.  Until then...HAPPY HOLIDAYS to you and yours!