This year for the holidays, we decided to try something a little different.  Instead of having professional photos taken, we went downstairs to the family room, taped holiday-themed wrapping paper to the walls and floor, set up lots and lots of lights around the area, and placed our camera on a tripod.  We sat in front of the wrapping paper  and tried various poses, different exposures, etc.  The end result turned out pretty well, we think:

Oh yeah, and we adorned ourselves with Christmas lights.  Nice touch, eh?

Today:  Finished painting baby’s room after removing about 1000 staples from the door, trim, and drywall.  WHO PUTS STAPLES INTO THE WALLS???  Trim is painted (it took 4 thick coats of paint to cover up the dark 1970s wood).  Next task is to paint the dark wood bedroom door and closet door (a task that I will reserve for after Christmas).  Tonight:  Celebrating Hannukah at Holden’s best friend’s house.  I’ve never been involved in lighting the menorah, so we are honored that our friends are inviting us into their home to share this special tradition with us.

Happy Solstice Everyone!  And Happy 3.5 years to my H-bomb!  He is exactly 3.5 today!  Wow!