December

December is an incredibly special month- Mommy's favorite (shared with November). In December, we celebrate the birth of Jesus, and have an amazing time decorating, baking, and spending time with family.

 Helping decorate the Christmas tree!

 Adding the star!

 Six months old! What a big girl!

 "Tell me what you want for Christmas, koala friend. I'll tell Santa."

 "Haha, my koala friend wants a baby doll for Christmas! And I'm a baby... this is hilarious!"

At age six months, Evelyn got to start Solid Foods. This is a pretty big deal, and in keeping with tradition, her first solid food was at a Mexican restaurant. (Lilly's was a self- selected handful of refried beans at Lupe Tortillas, Evelyn's was avocado at Victor's.)

 

 At dinner before Celebration, we were curious if Evelyn would be interested in other solid foods.

 Grandma squeezed out the inside of a steak fry...

 Success! And, in fact, Evelyn insisted on more and more French Fries until we ran out! Oh, to be the second child...

 Mommy and Evie at Celebration

 Lilly and Grandma make a gingerbread house every year.

 The artist at work

 Pausing to evaluate her work... I mean, lick her fingers...

 Just a few more sprinkles...

 Silly and full of sugar? That always makes for the best photo...

 A sweet baby angel Evelyn headed for the FFEL Nativitiy.

 Look, there's a Moo Cow Lilly!

 Lilly looks both adorable and surprised, but sang like an angel!

 At the YMCA Ballet Christmas Parent Watch, Lilly danced her heart out and lassoed up Santa!

 Our tiny festive dancer and her friends

 Christmas time is Baking Time!

 Sweet sisters before the Christmas Eve service

 Lilly left cookies for Santa, carrots and water for the reindeer, and then added some snack mix "in case Santa got tired of sweet treats."

 Wow, the snack mix worked! Santa left a note on her easel letting her know how much he appreciated her clean play room!

"Wow, Santa wrote me a note?!?"

 "Hey, hey... I might just be a bitty baby, but I am thoroughly enjoying this whole Christmas time."

 "See, I can even open presents already! I am pretty much an expert in all things Christmas."

 Dressed up as Sofia, playing with her new Sofia toy... It's every princess's dream!

 This face is everything. 

 Equally as cute in a festive hat.

 Popcorn with our new hot-air popper, snuggled up for Movie Nite!

 Homemade Gingerbread Cookies

 Bedecked and bedazzled by Miss Lilly! (Mommy helped a smidgey bit to pipe the icing.)

 Happy New Year's Eve! Thanks, Nana, for coming to celebrate with us!

 The Shelton girls wish you a blessed New Year!

"Hey, Aunt Marian, does this mean I don't have to go to bed? I get to stay up all night, right?"