Ellie's First Christmas

The holidays were absolutely crazy! I finally got out of the Army and we managed to get ourselves out of Louisiana alive AND just in time to make it home for the holidays.

Murray was far too excited to maintain decorum.

Miss Kitty actually liked this coat a lot since we had to shave her poor fur off.

Reading with grandpa.

She was very interested in the rocking horse ornament and only moments later destroyed it by yanking it off the tree and slamming its head on the ground until it was decapitated.

Murray was pleased to find out that Santa put him on the "Nice List." Kitty got some gifts too!

We went over to my mothers house after this and opened more gifts. We were moving around so much the day went by like a whirlwind. It was nice to actually be home for the holidays for once, even if we were still in the middle of settling into a new home (just like last year when we were on our road trip) It's good to know that next year we can actually have our own Christmas tree and do our own thing as a little family. For once we won't be moving!

Happy New Year!

It's true, as you get older every year goes by faster. I remember thinking how insane it was that 2012 was over and it was 2013 already! This year will be Ellie-bear's birthday year too! Insane. 

My aunt April took a ton of great photos of Christmas, so this is Christmas photos part two. For my present this year my dad flew my brother in as a surprise! I was so excited to see him.

Christmas on the Beach

I got a great surprise for Christmas... my brother!! We stayed up late Christmas Eve because my aunt and uncle were coming in from the airport and as soon as the door opened I saw my brother! I was so happy! He poked at my baby bump and then we sat around to chat for a little while before heading to bed.

Breakfast on Christmas morning was melon, eggs with roasted tomatillo salsa and toast. 

We went out to the beach after breakfast to take in some sun and check out any tide pools. We didn't find any but it was nice to watch the dogs run around and take pictures. I was the only one who was HOT! Everyone else was wearing scarves and jackets. I had my "official Christmas sweater" on but had to take it off after a little bit. I'm still used to Alaska weather...

My dad, brother, uncle, aunt and grandfather.

My dad and my brother were discussing scientific things on the beach and showed me this rock that plants had bored holes into to grow out of. They also found cephalopods, different rock formations and skulls of bony fish. That's what happens when you get a geologist and an entomologist together.

 When we got home it was snack time! I found that a couple of the cheeses were pasteurized so I could have them. Cheese, crackers, bread and olives, the perfect snack!

My dad was the head chef and made all kinds of goodies: a roast, brussels sprouts, baby broccoli, sweet potatoes and fingerling potatoes.