Is winter ever coming to Denver?

I shouldn't rock the boat. The Midwest got plastered this weekend with snow, and Florida is ridiculously chilly. I'm not actually complaining about the sunny, 60-degree weather, but a sprinkling of snow would certainly help it feel a little more Christmassy!

Spaghetti night on Lafayette Street!

Shae's friend, Parker, hosted his 2nd birthday party on Friday night. Shae was semi-interested during the gift opening part of the evening.

She was, however, very interested in the cupcake eating part of the evening.

Dressed for church. Not only did we finally figure out how to put on her boots (thank you Sarah and Carson!), but she decided on the red-and-blue theme because she wanted to look like Superman.

Completing the red-and-blue theme with her Bucky Badger jacket. "It has pockets!"

Santa, meet Shae. Shae, meet Santa.

First, let's start with some skiing. Remember when Jody and I used to ski all the time throughout the winter months? Well parenthood and unemployment has changed that significantly. LOL. But when it's a Tuesday and the ticket is free, I say let's go skiing! (And by "let's" I mean me, Mom and Dad -- Jody still needs to get his knee fixed.)

Really? These are prime conditions? Mmmkay...
Mom & Dad at the top of Copper.

Me. Same place.

So it turns out there is a little speck of green crayon on the lens of my camera. Wonder how that got there?

No more speck!

Santa Day at Jody's office. Round 1 was Shae going solo. We visualized the scenario for two days in advance: she would see Santa; she might be nervous because she doesn't know him, but it was okay for her to go sit on his lap; she would give him a hug; she would tell him that we would leave cookies for him when he comes to visit our house in a couple weeks; and she would tell him what she wants for Christmas (blue dishes -- ?). That is now how things shook out. But once Keeley and Taylor arrived, she would at least be in the same room as Mr. Claus.

Great picture just in terms of the look on Taylor's face and the look on Santa's face. Speaks volumes (on both sides! ha).

We joined the Wrabetz family for the Parade of Lights. Not gonna lie: it was COLD!

Enraptured by the parade.

Lights!

Horses!

This photo will forever commemorate the moment we learned that Shae does NOT like parade floats. It was quite traumatic!

What a fox!

Jody's dad, Bob, sometime in his teenage years. Love this picture -- just wanted to share!

Thanksgiving... and so much more!

First things first: a cool outfit. And a cool kid modeling said outfit.
"What's in there, mama? Let me see!"

"Okay, enough already lady. Let's get this show on the road!"

Jody's aunt's (his mom's sisters) came out for a visit. Made for a good excuse for some family photos!

Finger painting on a Sunday morning. What could be better!?

Enough with the paints... let's play with Tupperware!

On to Thanksgiving! The bird before it was cooked. (Please note: I totally forgot to take a post-roast photo, so this is all we've got.)

What a fine lookin' group of folks!

Pies, pies, pies!

And cheesecake!

Mmmmmm... pie! (Well technically: mmmmm... Cool Whip!)

Yeah, yeah, yeah: CHEESE! Now more pie, please!

Shae is a puzzle wizard. No, I'm not kidding: she can assemble the entire puzzle all by herself (she actually does not appreciate assistance!) in record time.

Day after Thanksgiving? Time to get the Christmas tree! Nekkid tree:

Decorated tree!

Shae was pretty wound up with all the decorating festivities. This was the result of me saying "Shae, come stand by the tree so I can take a picture of you."

Finally, we found a compromise -- the Santa monkey is her new BFF (of the moment).

Next up: the annual lighting of the City & County Building downtown. It was a chilly evening, but not too terrible. Shae and Uncle Brian hanging out.

Nekkid City & County Building:

The anticipation is building!

Trying to get a decent family shot in the dark is not easy.

It's almost time...

Lit! In all its fabulous, gaudy glory!

I failed to capture the moment the lights turned on (Shae loved the countdown!) but suffice it to say she was delightfully mesmerized.

Playin'.

Time for some art.

Walking in Mom's shoes. On a No Pants Sunday. What could be better!?