Lily's Post-Treatment Frolics at Mémère's

Mémère always played the Nutcracker for Lily during her treatments. This was the twice-daily site upon removing Lily's vest...

Road Trip!

We drove to Tucson, Arizona, to visit Mémère for Chrismas. Why did we drive when we had plane tickets in our pockets-you might ask? Well, for the gorgeous views of course....and because Lily and Mama have caught every cold and flu under the sun this winter and the idea of even more plane germies made us (ok, Mama) nervous. Anyways, the sites were wonderful and it turns out that Lily is the most delightful long term- travel companion...this of course did not come as a surprise to us :)

We had a wonderful time with Mémère. We devoured her holiday sweets, enjoyed cozy evening mule-towed hay rides through beautifully decorated Winterhaven (in Tucson), took naps in her beautiful canope bed, and spent hours chit chatting and giggling near her beautiful Christmas tree.

 

Thank you, Mémère!

 

 

 

Must be Mémère's house!

We were greeted with Whoopie Pies and Petit Tarts- YUM!

Winter Wonderland, in Tilden (of Course)

 

 

What a delightful tradition.

BIG Girl!

 

Thank you, Nana and Papa!

My Future Colleague!

Lily wants to teach Algebra next door to me at King Middle School when she grows up. I am the teacher with hazel eyes and she is the one with blue eyes. Love.

Lily's First Santa Photo!

We cannot wait to include this photo on the Brimhall mantel, along with the many other Santa photos of Lara, Hilary and Nana as youngsters.

Working Mama

Lily was able to pick up her feet and get a little respite after a full day's work  of running her store  while caring for her many children. Her "latte" (frothed milk with a shake of cinnamon) also offered her some soothing warmth.

Cousins+Dadas+Balloons=

Awesomeness.

Mama and Dada go on a date!$#??

Mama's student, Amara, came over and Lily had a BLAST.

Have I mentioned lately how wonderful teaching middle school is?

It's begining to look a lot like Christmas!

I've been known to be a little grinch-y during the holidays (I cannot stand the greed, the wealth, the commercialism) but when you have kiddos there is something sweet, innocent and spiritual about Christmas.

Brian, Lily and I enjoyed cutting down our own tree and trimming it while sipping eggnog, listening to Tchaikovsky's "Nutcracker Suite." Lily especially loves sorting through our childhood ornaments and shaking "mutneg"  on her "nog."