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".