This particular morning, we went into Marie's room to find her and Nana enjoying the morning. And she's usually this happy too!
Happy Valentine's Day! I bought this dress in Anchorage back in October specifically for Marie to wear on Valentine's Day. 
This past Saturday we had nice weather, so we drove out to the Shrine. Marie liked playing around in the chapel.
Bill and Marie explored the front yard together. This time last year, there was more snow than I had ever imagined.
Carly and Isaac came over one afternoon this week and Marie loved it! This is Marie's new favorite toy - thank you Meemaw - and Carly and Isaac liked them too.Well, our original thought was that Marie would play the harmonica at the talent show. But she ended up being a microphone hog. She's pretty cute!
Since this was our first year of Christmas with just the 3 of us, we developed some traditions. One of which is Christmas breakfast. I found a recipe for sausage-cheese crescent rolls which turned out really good! Then we had some apple bread that Bill's mom sent that was absolutely delicious! (Nell, that means you have to send us that same bread each year!)
A few years ago Bill and Pete started greeting each other with 'Wassail!'. Since it was the season, I found a recipe for wassail and made it myself. Bill was very pleased to have the authentic drink. I have to say, it was pretty good!
Here is everything laid out that we all got for Christmas.
I would say that I made the stockings, including Marie's in this picture. But that would be stretching the truth. It began last Christmas with Lela and Dana helping me, but I didn't get them finished then. Well, a couple of hours at Dana's before this Christmas and she had them finished - thanks Dana! Anyway, Marie had fun with the gifts in her stocking. This DVD is probably her favorite gift in it. Some other high-ranking ones were the glow-in-the-dark stars that are now on the ceiling in her bedroom, her butterfly socks and a new sippy-cup. And she also likes watching her new DVD while sitting in her new rocking chair.
It began last year, but another tradition is a picture of all of us in Christmas hats. Here we were over at the Church annex. We enjoyed another Christmas dinner with the Paden's and the Phelps'. 