Alexa trims the tree, then spins the dreidel and eats potato latkes!

Another merry day of Chrismukkah! We started off by decorating our beautiful tree! Grandpa hung the lights and then Grandma and I unwrapped all of the ornaments and put them on the tree. Alexa helped us out! We hung birds and flowers made of felt on the bottom branches. We also hung a set of felt Sesame Street characters that Grandma made for Alexa, just like the set she made me when I was a kid. But Alexa's favorite ornament is a DOG, from Grandma!

Later, when Alexa went down for her nap, I made potato latkes! It was my first time, but I followed Grandma Fritzie's recipe and the instructions on the Modern Jewish Mom site. It was easy! And they passed three important taste tests... Daddy loved them! Grandpa loved them! And Alexa did too! Alexa even mastered the art of dipping them in applesauce. So proud. So proud!

After stuffing ourselves silly with latkes, we lit the Hanukkah candles and Alexa got another gift: A Noah's Arc shape sorter, Tzedakah Box and two dreidels! In the photo above, Daddy is showing her how to spin the dreidel while she waits for her potato latkes. Below, she's playing with all her toys (and watching football with Grandpa)! Fun!

Alexa picks out a Christmas tree, then lights Hanukkah candles

Yes, Chrismukkah has begun in our house! And begun in earnest. Daddy and I took the day off and we all bundled up and headed out to a farm to cut down a Christmas tree! This was a big adventure for my family. Since I grew up in Hawaii, we always BOUGHT our tree. We never cut one down! Grandpa Tom was over the moon excited.

Here we are checking out the trees... Alexa liked a small one her size. But we wanted a big one for our living room! We finally found one and before I had time to change my mind, Daddy and Grandpa chopped it down! Way to go!

Back at home, we lit the Hanukkah candles, lit Shabbat candle and enjoyed some yummy Challah. Check out our beautiful menorah. Thanks, Aunt Missy!

Finally, after dinner, Alexa got a Hanukkah gift from Grandma E and Pop! She immediately dumped out the books and wanted Daddy to read one. How cute! She also got a piano from Grandma E and Pop. Stay tuned for some photos of her playing it... She loves it!

Babies! Lots of Babies! VIDEO LINKS BELOW!

Today was my LAST mom's group meeting! So sad. The group, called PACE, meets for eight weeks with the idea that we'll continue to meet after the formal session ends. We already have a play date set for this Friday and another in January! So, hopefully, we'll stay in touch.

Here are 9 of the 11 moms and babies who were in my group:

And here are the babies! Click HERE to watch a video!

More adorable pictures of the babies... Pictured below (left to right) is Ella, Alexa, her birthday twin Avery who was also born on 9-9-09, and the youngest in the group, Anjali.

Also today, my sister gave Alexa a bottle!

Then Alexa had dance time on her activity mat! Click HERE and HERE for videos of her dancing! She apparently likes Beyonce and is getting closer to turning over!

And then, we went for a walk...

And picked out a Christmas tree...

And lit more Hanukkah candles! Alexa got a beautiful silver snow globe from Grandma E!

Later, at home, Alexa relaxed on her chair.

Alexa's second night of Hanukkah!

Today was a busy day... We mailed all of our Holiday cards! And we cleaned up the house for our family who will be arriving starting Monday night! We also went downtown for lunch at our favorite Indian food restaurant. Yum!

At sundown, we lit another candle and Alexa opened her Hanukkah presents from Aunt Missy, Uncle Rich and her cousins!

She then tried out the awesome Nod Chair that just arrived from the Levys. Looks like she likes it!

Alexa's first night of Hanukkah!

Today was a big day for us! Alexa and I met some friends for lunch in downtown Washington, D.C. We got all dolled up for the occasion and hit the road.

So here I am, dressed up and pushing a baby stroller, which did not fit into the doorway! We finally got into the restaurant and as I was trying to squeeze through the crowd... Excuse me... Excuse me... Alexa decided it was the perfect time to start SCREAMING at the top of her lungs! Well. That sure got people to move out of my way! Hahahaha. Talk about an entrance!

Once we sat down, and I took her out of her car seat (aka, baby torture device) she settled down and we had a nice lunch! Here we are with Alexa's friend Catherine and some former co-workers of mine. What a nice lunch!

Later that night, we introduced Alexa to Hanukkah. Daddy led us as we lit the candles and said the prayers!

Then Alexa got to open her first night of Hanukkah presents! She got a backpack and book about the Guggenheim from Grandma E. What awesome gifts! Here is Happy Alexa after we opened the gifts!