December & Christmas Fun – The Daly Story

Well, I think I am going to kick off this entry with my very best idea of the holidays: Claire’s decoy Christmas Tree. I made it for a total cost of $4 from the dollar tree, including the tiny tree itself, lights, ribbon and ornaments. It kept her little grubs off my big tree, and that was a big win!

Something about dressing babies for the holidays just puts a Christmas smile on your face.

Claire has been doing all sorts of new things. Some are dangerous, like testing the limits of her chair.

Others are adorable, like cuddling her sweet stuffed animals like this Monkey from Aunt Jill

I think she’s starting to make the connection between her stacking cups and my stacking mixing bowls.

growing out her hairs, it’s finally getting pretty good length!

And mimicing mommy, sometimes sweet

and sometimes sassy

Quick trip to Dallas

My parents bought a new house in Dallas very close to my old stomping grounds of my elementary years. It was fun to explore their park and see the new place!

We even dug up a few old treasures like this classic ’Twas the night before Christmas book.

Then when we got back to town we got to business doing some Christmas shopping. Which do you prefer, little hat or big bow?

Claire has been taking all the shopping very seriously, maybe too seriously. Now she’s hoarding all her toys on the couch!

Speaking of our couch, she loves hanging out and watching the Big 10 Championship with grandpa.

And without further ado, that brings us to Christmas!!!

Christmas 2020

This year I decided not to venture to the crowds to get a picture with Santa, but daycare came through and Santa visited her there! I think this is about the same quality as I would have had at the mall 🤣

We woke up on Christmas Eve and got dressed in a pretty Christmas dress (you may recognize it from last year. yes, she still fits)

to watch The Nutcracker and a Radio City Rockettes Christmas Spectacular. Claire loved jumping and bobbing her head to the music.

While mommy decorated the house, making a floral arrangement of which I am pretty proud.

Aunt Bri was the first to arrive

Aunt Bri and Aunt Elyse helped entertain the baby while mommy and daddy picked up mommy’s wedding ring from the jeweler! We had it re-set in platinum, because it turns out I’m allergic to both nickel and gold, so I was getting a rash that was a reaction to the metals. Thanks to James for being so supportive, I feel pretty spoiled this Christmas! Anyway, what did Claire do during this time? Go on a wagon ride with the little chim dog.

and they even had some spare time to do Claire’s hair!

Then Grandma and Grandpa arrived and we took a quick trip over to check out the progress on the new house.

And then we came home and got ready for the first feast! We had hors d’oeuvers then a ham, potato casserole from the Malcolm family, sweet potatoes and I tried my had at the Burkert tradition for the first time- Oyster Stew, and I would give myself an 8 of 10 for the stew.

We finished up Christmas Eve with a fire in the fire pit and some eggnog!

Santa came!!

Christmas morning we scarfed down some egg casserole, gingerbread muffins and bacon.

Grandpa read Claire her book about Cindy Lou Who in whatever order she turned the pages.

Claire was in the Christmas spirit

and painted a new penguin ornament with Aunt Bri

while momma cooked up the Daly family tradition- the prime rib

Grandma Liz and Grandpa Greg brought over the pierogis and cabbage rolls and potatoes and an extra special Akron treat- the crunch cream pie.

It was all scrumptious, and there were multiple naps taken as a result!

Well, even though I felt pretty spoiled, it’s no surprise who really made out this Christmas! She got her own little tykes car from grandma and grandpa Daly

And a little Range Rover scoot-about car

Thanks to everyone who sent us presents from afar, I won’t list them all out, but I will just say we are beyond blessed. Claire is one lucky girl.

Boxing Day!

Well, we couldn’t call off the Christmas fun that easily! We took a little shopping trip up to Target to get a new Christmas tree (ours is one loose wire away from a fire) and surprised Grandma Liz

Said bye to Grandpa Doug so he could go set up his new Christmas toys (photo evidence that Claire knows how to fist bump)

Made a quick trip to the park, because she LOVES to slide and we needed to walk off yesterday’s calories.

And wrapped up the visit with some arts and crafts- decorating Christmas cookies (and eating Chimmichuri Steak and Cheese Fries made up with leftover prime rib). Claire mostly just ate icing… we will re-introduce vegetables tomorrow 😂