Last weekend, we brought the tree inside and started decorating. This is the first year that Jonah’s been really interested in hanging ornaments himself, so that was fun.

He had to concentrate really hard on picking the right spot and getting the hooks around the branch.

Also, it is really hard to decorate a tree with a one-year-old around who wants to suck on lights and eat glittery ornaments. Poor Nora soon had to hang out in the pack-n-play with her Christmas books.

And she wasn’t really this upset, but the picture cracks me up because I caught her right in the middle of making one of her crazy noises, so it looks like she reeeeaallly wants to get out. :)

After most of the decorating was done, Nora got to come out and have some supervised visiting with the ornaments. Luckily, a week later, some of the novelty has worn off and she can be in the living room without eating the tree. Most of the time.

And I always wish Christmas tree pictures came out better, but here’s a blurry view of Nora happily enjoying all the lights. :)

Today we went to see Santa!

Nora did great – she didn’t fuss at all, just really studied the big bearded guy holding her and was probably just a little confused. I think she’s starting to get the hang of what a “Santa” is, though. :)

We had been practicing with Jonah what kinds of things he might say to Santa about whether he’s been good and what kinds of things he might like him to bring, but he was quite awestruck when the time came! With a little encouragement, he managed to remember that he wanted trains. :)

Then we came home and took advantage of a rare break in the rain this weekend to run out and get our Christmas tree. Since we have a much nicer car this year, we decided to walk to the nearby grocery store parking lot and bring the tree home with the help of Jonah’s wagon.

Jonah sized up some trees, looking for ones that would be good.

Nora was happy to look around for a little bit, and then she just wanted to touch every tree.

The boys wait patiently for the guys to cut the bottom off of the trunk. An hour later, Jonah is still carefully licking the same little candy cane that Santa gave him.

The tree is loaded and tied down.

Off we go.

On the (very rainy) walk home, Jonah named us all after different trains and chugged home with our Christmas tree freight car to unload in our “shed”.

The tree is standing up in the garage to dry now, and we’ll decorate tomorrow!

Nora’s first Easter and Jonah’s third!

Nora was interested in the Easter basket and while trying to figure out how to grab it or get it in her mouth…

…she tipped it right over!

She liked hearing the eggs shake and tried to pick them up to put them in her mouth, too. They were a little too big and slippery, though.

Jonah managed to find most of his eggs around the living room without too many hints. He was especially pleased to find that there were “chocolate bunny cookies!” inside AND that he got to eat some before breakfast. :)