1st trip to the rink!

-getting his skates on, and sizing up the competition!







-he wasn't too sure about it the first time...



-but he sure did like it when daddy carried him around the ice.












-taking a little break...




-all done for today. "bye bye".

first trip was a success. no crying! he really liked being on the ice, but it's going to take a little more convincing to get him to stand up and take those first few steps on his own. we'll get there eventually!

Christmas morning...

Christmas Eve

We opened a couple presents...









earlier this week, Jack and Ali made a Gingerbread house...




Merry Christmas, everybody! We love and miss you all!

-Ali, Mike, and Jack

shortbread and stuff.

candy cane at 8:30AM. not our best idea.

the oven was on and hot (shortbread). this is right after jack discovered that fact.

shortbread dough.

ali making the shortbread. i sifted the flour.

the requisite "licking the beater" photo.

the Christmas ships. there were carolers on board, and you could hear them from inside the house. it was pretty neat. someday i'll figure out how to use my camera.

the beginnings of a shiner courtesy of a girl at school. won't be the last.

again, someday i'll figure out my camera. you can see the idea, though. that's pretty much all you can see.

our porch. these lights are jack's favorite thing. they never get old.

from the street.

more shortbread dough.

and again.

you couldn't get the spatula away from the kid.

seriously.

just try it.

more more more.

i don't know what color his eyes are...

yay.