This holiday season was full of new traditions. Papa and Omi took us downtown to Urban Farmer for breakfast and then to Macy's Santaland - what fun!
Sunny loved the fancy curtains at The Nines hotel - we'll need to put some in her playhouse as room dividers.
Santaland looked like a vintage North Pole: cool.
Our elf was a little sleepy even before the Jolly Old Elf arrived, so she lounged while her wonderful Papa and Omi held our spot at the front of the line.
Santa recognized Sunny and loved her outfit. She was outgoing and friendly to him, asking for "a snowman toy, please."
Sunny's "Twos" classroom hosted a holiday party. She announced to all her teachers that her Uncle Scott was coming, and he came! She was so proud, and we ate treats and crafted with her friends and their parents. All the parents had heard about Sunny, and we'd heard all about their kids, too. It was funny to be introduced by our 2-year-olds.
Sunny showed us her family art. Note that Sunny colored herself wearing Duck colors.
The playhouse gets neater and nicer each week! The windows above Max's head are in a cozy sleeping loft - awesome idea!
Nauntie collected Sunny on a Saturday for their special Polar Express train ride tradition.
Max and I took Sunny on the Cinnamon Bear Cruise again. Our friends Tyson, Holly and little Brooklyn joined us. The staff remembered Sunny's face when we checked in. They said, "Oh, it's the cute little tiger from last year!" 
The weather was perfect: crisp, clear and bright. 
Crazy Quilt the dragon is Sunny's favorite character. Last year she freaked Sunny out a bit (all the more reason for her curious attraction). This year, Sunny was thrilled when Crazy Quilt scooped her up! I surprised Sunny with a little Crazy Quilt toy after the cruise, and she was over the moon. 
Sugar and Spice are REAL fairies - they aren't just exotic dancer stage names! These gals remembered and adored Sunny. 
As we disembarked, the whole character crew came outside to carol to the kids.
Since Kelly lives with Sean (and they're now engaged!), Sunny went over to their place for a "Nauntie Christmas." It would be tough to find a more festive personal than Nauntie. Together they ate cookies, opened presents (including a very exciting cash register for Sunny's store at home), played at the Adidas property & field, and watched Christmas Ships. Sunny reported, "I saw the boats sailing down the river. They sailed in a circle. They had Christmas lights like our house! One of the boats had an airplane on it. And there was a fire truck, candy canes, and Santa. Then they sailed in a circle again. We even ate cookies!"
1st time under the mistletoe with Daddy.
If Sunny has a favorite holiday treat, it's candy canes! This delivery was almost overwhelming - Sunny's face shows, " No, really? Seriously, you have ALL these candy canes and you're going to share them with me?" Other favorites: this year's top song is a tie: "Sleigh Ride" and "Little Drummer Boy" (my least favorite, but I've listened to it over 100 times since I love her). Last year's hit was "Holly Jolly Christmas," with "Jingle Bells" in close second place.
The joy of the season! This photo actually looks a lot like the one on my company's New Year's card, which says, "Now and then it's good to pause in the pursuit of happiness and just BE happy." ~ Guillaume Apollinaire.
On soon-to-be Uncle Sean's shoulders with a cookie in hand: the best seat in the world.
Papa and Omi came over to celebrate Christmas at our house, and they brought gifts from our Wandler cousins, too!
Then we piled into the car for a spontaneous drive through Portland International Raceway's Winter Wonderland.
Sunny got to drive us, and she loved ping-ponging us back and forth between the boundaries of the road. At 3 mph.
Aw!
Christas Eve was gorgeous and sunny, so we took our riding toys to the school for some exercise and fresh air.
New tradition: we've been doing nightly Christmas walks to see the lights in our neighborhood. On Christmas Eve, we pimped Sunny's ride with battery-powered Christmas lights, pillows, blankets and jingle bells. With Max's phone playing Christmas music, we toured the circuit in style.
She still jumped out often to pull the wagon herself, walk ahead, and check out the lights up close.
As dictated, "Dear Santa, I'd like a present please. I'd like a snowman. Love, Sunny."
Christmas Eve family shot: oh, the anticipation!
Did I mention that we were excited for Santa to come?
He CAME! And he made a mess in the hearth area -ashes and boot prints everywhere while he filled the stockings. Sunny has memorized the entire first half of "Twas the Night Before Christmas," and completes the lines in the second half, so she liked quoting it on Christmas morning. We got her version on video.
Scooting with her daring (and, thankfully, super coordinated) daddy.
Christmas at Popo and Daddo's with the Kelleys!
With her toy thermometer, Sunny worked on taking Daddo's temperature via his ear, to our entertainment. The next day she came at Daddy with her doctor bag in hand, saying"Daddy, I'm gonna fix your feelings."
We explored Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge the next day, using the explorer tools Santa brought: a bug cup with a magnifying lens lid and an Oregon wildlife guide.
Cool discovery: a red salamander.
On the pipe where Daddy played and fished when he was little. Right now Sunny loves telling stories that start, "When I was a little kid..."
Hey, I'm in a picture! No, wait: that's two forest pixies.
THERE we are together. I love Sunny's snuggly moods.
I start every morning with this grinning, gnome-voiced wild thing and her BIG hair. Remember those pink-haired gnome toys with the straight-up 'do? Exactly.
Yes, cutie: you can talk me out of getting the comb and detangler for a few more minutes. What a fun New Year this will be. Cheers!
1st time under the mistletoe with Daddy. 
If Sunny has a favorite holiday treat, it's candy canes! This delivery was almost overwhelming - Sunny's face shows, " No, really? Seriously, you have ALL these candy canes and you're going to share them with me?" Other favorites: this year's top song is a tie: "Sleigh Ride" and "Little Drummer Boy" (my least favorite, but I've listened to it over 100 times since I love her). Last year's hit was "Holly Jolly Christmas," with "Jingle Bells" in close second place. 
The joy of the season! This photo actually looks a lot like the one on my company's New Year's card, which says, "Now and then it's good to pause in the pursuit of happiness and just BE happy." ~ Guillaume Apollinaire. 
On soon-to-be Uncle Sean's shoulders with a cookie in hand: the best seat in the world. 
Papa and Omi came over to celebrate Christmas at our house, and they brought gifts from our Wandler cousins, too! 
Then we piled into the car for a spontaneous drive through Portland International Raceway's Winter Wonderland. 
Sunny got to drive us, and she loved ping-ponging us back and forth between the boundaries of the road. At 3 mph. 
Aw! 
Christas Eve was gorgeous and sunny, so we took our riding toys to the school for some exercise and fresh air. 
New tradition: we've been doing nightly Christmas walks to see the lights in our neighborhood. On Christmas Eve, we pimped Sunny's ride with battery-powered Christmas lights, pillows, blankets and jingle bells. With Max's phone playing Christmas music, we toured the circuit in style. 
She still jumped out often to pull the wagon herself, walk ahead, and check out the lights up close. 
As dictated, "Dear Santa, I'd like a present please. I'd like a snowman. Love, Sunny." 
Christmas Eve family shot: oh, the anticipation! 
Did I mention that we were excited for Santa to come? 
He CAME! And he made a mess in the hearth area -ashes and boot prints everywhere while he filled the stockings. Sunny has memorized the entire first half of "Twas the Night Before Christmas," and completes the lines in the second half, so she liked quoting it on Christmas morning. We got her version on video. 
Scooting with her daring (and, thankfully, super coordinated) daddy. 
Christmas at Popo and Daddo's with the Kelleys! 
With her toy thermometer, Sunny worked on taking Daddo's temperature via his ear, to our entertainment. The next day she came at Daddy with her doctor bag in hand, saying"Daddy, I'm gonna fix your feelings." 
We explored Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge the next day, using the explorer tools Santa brought: a bug cup with a magnifying lens lid and an Oregon wildlife guide. 
Cool discovery: a red salamander. 
On the pipe where Daddy played and fished when he was little. Right now Sunny loves telling stories that start, "When I was a little kid..." 
Hey, I'm in a picture! No, wait: that's two forest pixies.
THERE we are together. I love Sunny's snuggly moods. 
I start every morning with this grinning, gnome-voiced wild thing and her BIG hair. Remember those pink-haired gnome toys with the straight-up 'do? Exactly. 
Yes, cutie: you can talk me out of getting the comb and detangler for a few more minutes. What a fun New Year this will be. Cheers!
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