The Mister and the Sister: How The Murphys Spent The Holidays

We have been in the throes of sickness here at Team Murph for nearly two months. Two months! Since Thanksgiving, Jack has had croup, a recurring double ear infection, bronchitis and the flu. Lyla also had bronchitis and, most recently, a pretty scary case of the flu. Mark and I both had stints on antibiotics and home sick from work. Sounds like fun, huh? But I can't complain too much because my babies have been super troopers throughout it all. They mostly just wanted extra snuggles, with which we happily obliged.

Anyway, my point is that somewhere in the fog of sickness, we celebrated the holidays. It was our first Christmas with Jack, first Christmas in the new house, first time hosting Christmas dinner...lots of firsts. So, of course, we rallied and celebrated our butts off despite someone being sick on any given day. I don't have a lot of pictures from Christmas, but I think that is a good thing -- I was soaking it all in and not worrying about snapping photos. Here goes anyway some pictures from the holidays. Some Christmas card out takes:

Getting our Christmas tree

Too Big Tree

[Note: I know it appears that we don't include Jack in any of our fun, the truth is that he cannot stay awake past 6:30 so he often misses out. Poor guy.] Lyla's Tree We had a cookie decorating party at the house. 116 cookies! 24 kinds of sprinkles or other cookie topping! Lyla was my assistant baker and helped with those 116 cookies.

Every once in a while, she would disappear and I would find her and Jack talking, not knowing I am watching.

We visited my office for our annual Children's party. This one is in my office. Don't they look pumped to be in my office?

We finally got her to smile when we got up to the party

Jack was sick that day. Doesn't he look it?

The highlight of the day was the visit with Santa. Lyla, who has refused to see Santa for the past two years, was happy to chat him up this year. She went back three times after we took their picture with him, just to say hi.

After the party, Lyla, Jack and I made our way to Bryant Park to watch the ice skaters.

Pretending to ice skate

Lyla and I had our annual gingerbread house attempt. I would give us a 6 out 10 -- only because the whole thing didn't collapse like it did last year. Why are gingerbread houses so hard. Lyla doesn't seem to mind. She eats more candy than she puts on the house.

Jack didn't help us at all :)

We spent Christmas Eve at Dina and Rich's house. Rich cooked a feast, as usual. Delish.

The kids got a kick out of tracking Santa on the NORAD site. He had just left Italy when we checked.

Christmas morning was mellow and actually pretty relaxing. Lyla wasn't quite sure what to do when she woke up to all the gifts under the Christmas tree. At first she said she didn't want to open anything -- she wanted to wait for Aunt Dina to see the beautiful wrapping paper. I told her I would take a picture for Aunt Dina and that was good enough. On to the presents.

I have just a few pictures of Christmas night. We were busy watching a beef tenderloin that would not cook in our old oven! Although I wish we had more photos to document our first Christmas in the house, I do love this one photo. Family lingering around the table long after dinner was done.

We had a great visit with Bammie and Pa after Christmas. We were so glad they were able to make it after being sidelined by a big winter storm. https://picasaweb.google.com/lmurphy3678/December2012#5833491398854387218

Dahlia and her family came over for brunch on New Year's Eve.

We spent New Year's Eve at home -- just us. After the kids went to bed Mark and I watched Breakfast at Tiffany's. It felt extra fun and cozy to watch the movie with a fire burning while drinking champagne.

Decorations were down on New Year's Day!

What else did we do? Lyla won McKenna, an American Girl doll, at the local Nutckracker production. (Lily the elf took up residence with McKenna one night).