Merry Christmas!

Our little Christmas Angel

Pretty sure this was take 136.   Maybe 137.
If not for digital photography this would've been the most expensive Christmas photo ever.

....but before we get to Christmas morning, let's take a look back at the week leading up to it.

Coupla monkeys

The danger of growing up next to dogs is...well...this.

You should hear her growl when you pull your finger away.

We tried to change the channel but she hid the remote until the chase was over.

John and JJ's awesome Christmas Party

Each Day, Zoe spends lots of time in her Jumparoo...

 

...and each day we go for a walk.

Lately, it's been so cold (high-50's) that we dress Zoe up like a polar bear cub.

She doesn't seem to mind.

Okay.  Enough of that.  BRING ON CHRISTMAS!!!

Zoe's first ornament

She loves this rattle.  And it passes the taste test.

See?

AREYOUKIDDING? ILOVETHISTHING!  AAAAHHHHHH!

NOM NOM NOM!

Just in case you didn't get that everything goes in her mouth...

Happiest kid in the world

Madison and Michelle Pettis sent Zoe some beautiful new clothes

Zoe was so excited!

And Lori can't stop talking about this dress.

Zoe doesn't think Mom's so good at hats yet.

John and JJ brought over the cutest onesie

Zoe said the green paper tastes like...paper.

She's learning the importance of making eye contact.
Especially when you're dealing with googly eyes.

DAY 2!  

(we didn't have the energy or attention span to finish opening all the gifts on Xmas)

Needless to say, Zoe was surprised and overjoyed to learn Christmas wasn't over. 

DAY 3!

(yeah...)

Megan and Will brought over some awesome Laker clothes!

Zoe is thinking of a career in bow and ribbon modeling.

One of my all-time favorite pics of the two of them.

The taste test confirms it -- she's a Laker fan.  And look at those eyes...

Zoe got so much practice, she devised a new method of opening presents.
Orally.

Zoe's first (delicious) camera.

Aunt Meme gave Zoe a whole new wardrobe, but she really loved this rattle set.
I can't help but imagine a "thumbs up" here...

Mmmmm...delish cupcake rattle.

Zoe clinging to her cupcake rattle

Grammie and Grandad  gave Zoe her first purse and cell phone.

....and a super cool basketball set.

Zoe says, "Thank you, everyone, for making this the best Christmas ever!"

Happy Hanukkah!

Before we get to the presents, let's take a look back at the week we had...

Zoe is growing -- she's now more than double her birth weight (at a healthy 13lbs) and we find ourselves exclaiming "remember when she didn't even fit in that?!" about just about everything. 

One example is this towel:

...another is the baby carrier.  

Before, Zoe's head didn't even clear the top.  

Now she can look at everything!

Zoe loves her toys (especially when they are in her mouth)

And she's getting really good at impressions.

Look at her imitate the polar bear on her bib! 

SNL, here she comes!

So this week was the start of Zoe's first Hanukkah. 

Grandma and Grandpa sent some wonderful presents and Zoe had a blast opening them!

Zoe's first ever Hanukkah present

She likes it.

Check that.  SHE LOVES IT!

what is this sorcery...?

I love it!  It belongs in my mouth!

Dad -- this is AWESOME!  It's like Christmas!

Distracted by her favorite musical ornament...

                                 Zoe also got some early Xmas gifts from Grammie and Grandad

Tongue out for concentration

Whoever this kid's parents are apparently don't feed her enough.  Poor kid.

Another musical ornament?!  BEST.  HANUKKAH.  EVER.

That's it for this week.

 Thanks for looking -- see you next week!