Our Merry Christmas

The little church did not disappoint, beautifully lit by candlelight. James was busy making pictures for a little girl behind us. Did I mention he likes little girls? Especially blond ones like this one was.

Showing off his Transformer T-Shirt. He's a big fan, although we won't let him watch the movie. Honestly, he doesn't really know a movie exists.

The Pulley. It is a BIG attraction, hung in the hallway so he can carry heavy stuff up for us from downstairs to upstairs. Kind of like they do in Amsterdam. :-)

Our fabulous steak and lobster dinner. We just discovered a new tradition for sure! We ate by candlelight with our nice tablecloth (from France). It was just so good.

James' only disappointment was that he got the Power Ranger mask in addition to the Transformer he asked for from Santa. "Ohhhhhh.." he said, "I was going to ask for this for next Christmas". Ah, the dilemmas of a 3 year old.

Cartagena, Columbia

I want to start posting some pictures of our cruise. Maybe I'll do it daily, different ones from each location. Here, James is posing with the ladies for a picture. This is in Columbia in a market where our driver took us. We bought some coffee and later emerald earrings (for me!).

Our Snow Angel

The first snow, a couple weeks ago. James was completely excited to make his first snow angel. Here he is out on the back porch, rolling around in it with Indy.

He's still trying to put all this Santa business together. He recently asked us if Santa delivered presents from the sky and the reindeer threw them down on the houses. Then he asked if Santa gave presents to God. He's a thinker. Plus, he has all kinds of information about Joseph, which he was in his school play. He informed us that he wasn't married to Mary and that he really wasn't Jesus' dad. That God was. Today we had a good sermon at church about Joseph and his importance in his human role of dad to Jesus. I tried to get James to listen but he was too distracted by the pound cake that a friend had made for us. We had to dive into it before church was over - we were desperate! Lee had a birthday blessing and James thought the cake was for the occasion.

Pre-Christmas Rituals

The Santa parade on boats is one of our Christmas season rituals. We have done it twice now and it's one of those events that is so unique to Baltimore that you want to do it again next year.

New Coat

This was one of my projects from last summer that I finally finished. It's a cotton, black coat for James with a very textured fabric. Probably the most detailed and best sewing project I've ever completed or attempted. I was pleased with how it turned out. And button holes!

This is also another reason as to why I need photography lessons. Or a new camera.