Christmas 2008!

It was a dreamy Christmas this year. Finn loved Christmas trees and lights, Frosty the Snowman, Red and Green M&Ms, presents (of course), and was terrified of Santa. We had a quiet day at home on both Christmas Eve and Day, dragging out the gifts over the course of the day, eating our dinner on the couch with Finn, and soaking up our relatively new life as a family unit. Jeff and I are marinating in every moment. We missed our families, but it was really special to spend time alone, quiet and all together given this past incredibly productive year.

Finn helps decorate the tree

The girls came to visit! We got together with Amelia, Eric, Jodeen, and Susanne and enjoyed a couple of precious hours with the new little ones, Emmerson and Oci!

We woke up to 15" on the ground Christmas morning, and it didn't stop. Don't know how much more we got, but during the course of the day Jeff had to pull the plow guy out with his van (which he felt very smug about) and shovel the drive three times. As I write this, we are in the midst of another system to bring another 16 inches!! Yikes, our snow pile of over our heads already, we're gearing up for another big winter!

We decide to bundle up and check out the storm

He's a brave little soul! He had fun helping Mom and Dad shovel and even instigated his first snowball fight.

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Finn and Mom watch Dad brave the elements and shovel his car out.

Sugar cookies were the canvas upon which Finn has conceived some of his most profound abstracts.

Finn's Second Birthday!

He's such a big boy! We celebrated a bit early, on the 7th, so more friends could participate. He had a lively crowd, with Tai here trying to beat Finn to the cake, which had to stay mobile while Finn blew out his candles to fend off feisty Tai. We still can't believe he's not a baby anymore!!!

Nataly and Finn celebrate with a Birthday toast

Finn set out on stealing bites of his friends cake after having finished his own.

Chatting with Grandma via webcam

Halloween

Finn's first Halloween was the party of the century. All the kids go to the Town Square and run from shop to shop for pounds of candy. It's really fun because there are hundreds of little devils beside themselves, and it's a chaotic fun mess. Finn loved every minute of it. He was a dinosaur..or dragon.

Finn checkin' out the foxy Princess

Finn mid tantrum as Mom wouldn't let him run in the streets

Our Fall Walks

This year, each weekend Finn and Mom would set out for the woods and go for long walks. Finn would explore every animal hole, take the opportunity to bounce on every fallen log, and spend countless minutes exploring the every last detail of a rock or twig. We were both in heaven.

Finn just enjoying a walk in the Fall

Finn goes to the Lake, Hangs in the Hood

Finn favorite toy, Tai's pull-along dog.

Finn after being asked to return favored stolen toy

Annalise and Finn in new wagon

Chillin' with Boozle

At the Beach!

Jeff, Finn and Mom went to Rockport for the 4th. Christine and Wimp generously offered their cute little white cottage by the beach, and we were set for success. Finn loved everything about the beach - the taste of sand, getting hit by waves and digging hole after sand hole. He got to meet his Aunt Betsy, cousins Leah and Josh, and of course spend more time with good 'ol Uncle Dan. We have many many fond memories and hope to make it back each summer.