Spending the holidays together as a Family

Clare's Dad recently came to visit, to meet Mara and see the family.

Proud Mama holding her baby girl.  Clare is still on cloud nine and can still hardly believe that Mara is now a part of our family.

Mara opening up her presents from Grandpa and Michael from Pensacola - a dress just like the one from her shower invitation!  Mara the Fashionista hugged it and wanted to try it on immediately.

Out to dinner with the entire family.  While at dinner at the Los Altos Bar & Grill, Mara got to meet John Chambers (the CEO of Cisco) who kept saying how beautiful she was and wouldn't put her down!!

Mara was so proud to recite the alphabet and numbers to her Grandpa from Pensacola.  Even he was impressed at how smart she was and how quickly she is learning English!

Recently we were invited to visit a fish farm up in Sacramento.  As part of our tour we got to see how they sustainably farmed their fish (sturgeon and trout) and got to see their farm.  Mara had a ball, feeding the donkeys and goats and saying "hee hah".  Here her feeding DeeDee the donkey.

As part of the tour they provided us with a meal made by a local chef - including their sturgeon and caviar, of which Mara gobbled right up! (It must be the Georgian in her....)

Then came Clare's Mom's yearly Christmas sing along party.   Mara spent nearly the entire time sitting on her Granny's lap playing the piano and singing along.  She's just like her Granny! It was really special to attend the party this year, since last year it was a combo Xmas party and Mara shower.  The guests loved to finally get to meet Mara!

She also took a fancy to a young boy named Devon.  She kept coming up to him and trying to kiss him!

What's a visit to Granny's house without visiting her chickens? Here walking down the steps with Auntie Amy wearing her fancy party dress and leopard print jacket - so stylish!

On Christmas Eve, Mara put out cookies, milk and her list for Santa.  As you can see, she also helped herself to the cookies.

There's nothing like the morning of Christmas to discover that Santa has made a visit!

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And Mara checking out all of her gifts.

Since Mara loves music, she asked Santa for different instruments.  Here Mara playing with her new electric piano.

And her bongos.

And her new dollhouse that her Auntie Linda gave her (and Nick spent three house assembling!)

But by far her favorite was the Dora guitar her cousin Max gave her.  We just wish it came with ear plugs.

Later on Christmas day, we packed up to go visit Granny.  Here Mara dressed up in her fancy Xmas dress (compliments of Anne-Sophie!).  She kept twirling around in it and saying "princess".  How could you not feel like a princess it?

Not only was this Mara's first with us as a family, it was Mara's first Christmas ever!  She also got to meet more cousins and 2nd cousins (Clare's sister's kids). 

To hell with an electric piano, it's always much better playing Christmas carols on Granny's baby grand on her lap! 

Season's Blessings

Mara enjoyed her first lighted boat parade in Santa Cruz, preceded by a party at Clare's friend Celeste's house.  Here riding in the car on the way - is someone excited about the party or what?!

A happy girl!

As always, Mara was the life of the party, making new friends and talking with everyone.

Mara continues to eat everything in sight.  When we got to the party, she plopped down in front of the table to munch! (And yes, the dress is a new Clare creation!)

Here shopping with Auntie Denise.  Mara likes talking about shopping more than doing it.

Mara is always styling:  yes her Mommy helps assemble her outfits but she definitely has a mind of her own of what she wants to wear.  Here with her cute cape and Doc McStuffins stethoscope.

Here wearing a custom knitted sweater that one of Clare's colleagues made for her.  So soft & fuzzy and a perfect fit!

Mara continues to be fascinated with puzzles.  Her junior preschool is definitely helping her to develop her brain.  Not only is her vocabulary developing, she is really starting to express herself!

This is not only Mara's first Christmas with us, but her first Christmas ever!  Let's just say she is quickly catching on - singing Jingle Bells and talking about Santa.

Mara playing with the best White Elephant ever:  a nutcracker music box theater!!

Sitting on Santa's lap.

All dolled up for our Christmas photo.

Taking a family photo for our Christmas card proved more difficult than we thought.  Here Mara running off from the camera.

Having fun on the holiday merry go round.

Always styling with her Daddy.

Making a gingerbread house with her friend Alessia.

This past week Mara came to Clare's work for a holiday Christmas party with the kids. 

At the party we discovered that Mara loves Karaoke - we practically had to pull her away!

Mara continues to be obsessed with Dora (we think she actually thinks she IS Dora).  One of Clare's colleagues gave Mara a hand-me-down Dora backpack filled with goodies at the party, which practically blew her mind.  Since the party, she walks up to you and turns around, patting her back to say "backpack".