December 2016 -- yes, we are THAT behind!

Winter Break 2016 was just getting under way and it was time to head a bit 

more north to Cape Cod! 

Gamma was already settled in and we started to make our popcorn garland right after we set up the tree. One day we will have to figure out if we are eating more than we are stringing - my guess is that Morty eats the majority of it and blames it on the dogs (who are back in St. Louis!!) Its a great way to end the day of travel, unpacking and decorating. Let Christmas begin!

The next day is always the same - Dad works out. Stretches. Eats and then declares it to be time for a Forced March. Its not forced by any means at this point - we are gunning to go with bags in hand to collect swirly shells, seal bones and whatever other neat things that wash up on the beaches in the winter. 

Christmas Eve morning is probably one of my favorite days of the year. We make cookies, do yoga while we wait for the first batch to be done and listen to Christmas carols. The best part about the Christmas of 2016 is that we (Mom!) didnt have to cook a full family dinner at the house so we had time to make as many cookies as we wanted and just goof around. It was awesome. 

The Christmas Eve dinner was left up to Tyreen's household and it was so much fun!! They had cool drinks for the kids and adults, card games and snack even before we sat down for dinner. As you can tell both Leila and I have been "Into" pigtails (Thank cod my hair is finally long enough again!)

After our fun family dinner it was time to set the treats out for Santa and his Reindeer. You can also see that Morty has become a minimalist in his Pajamas attire - I told him he should dress up for the sake of Christmas Eve but like usual he just ignores ever word I say. When will he realize that I am older and therefore know soon much more than him??!! ugh.

MERRRRRRYYYYY CHRISTMAS ya filthy animals!!

All we wanted for Christmas was horse and unicorn heads. I know, I know it sounds weird but actually its way more fun than you could imagine. You can't really have a straight faced conversation with a horse mask wearing person so everything ends in hysterics. Try it some time. 

This year we started a new Christmas breakfast tradition and I couldn't be more excited!! I dont know if you know this about me but dairy is my favorite food group. I love it all and I really dont have any gauge on when to stop. The bad part about this love affair is that my body doesn't exactly love dairy (more on that later) but I keep trying to convince it and explain how awesome no matter the outcome. SO having whipped cream at breakfast was pretty much the best plan Mom has ever come up with. You can also see even Mom had a treat for breakfast by devouring a pint of Van Leewen Vegan Ice Cream that Aunt Martha introduced her to and I think she even hid in the pantry to get maximum happiness and was able to savor each bite. MMMmm Honeycomb!!!

After breakfast we went for another "gallop" on the beach to work off some of our Christmas food joy and take in what a gorgeous day it was. Chilly, yes - but better than being locked up in the house wanting to strangle each other!

You know Christmas is coming to a close when we head off for our family dinner at Chatham Bars Inn. WE look forward to it all year ....well, mostly the dessert table, the MASSIVE gingerbread house and another dinner with our peeps. You should see the dessert table its unreal! next year I will post a pic for you - too bad I can't make it scratch & sniff!

Sadly our trip comes to a close with one last walk along the shore, always thinking of Nono as we walk down the hill where he likes to watch the water dance and the seagulls squawk. 

The highlight to our trip heading back home was being on the same flight as our cousins...I love it when this happens. The flight goes by so fast and we giggle the whole way. 

You can tell Morty was hell bent on making cavities instead of giggling but thats not exactly shocking now is it?

Once we were all home, safe and sound you can tell who needed a good cuddle. Muppet knocked over Mom while she was petting him in his bed and she just went with it. Neither one looks all that put out to be in the dog bed. Squeals!! I want in too!!!

Let this video of Morty in December of 2016 go down in history as his first Snapchat experience that had us singing this tune for the following 6 months. 

AS for me --- this is my way of signing off 2016 and saying HELLO to 2017. 

We are a little wary of whats to come but also ready to get going! Cheers!