TK's 1st Christmas in Texas

We left for Texas the day after our NYC trip...aka Christmas Eve!  We were a little nervous there may be delays, but thankfully, our flight left right on time!  

Pawpaw gave Tatum Cheerios for the first time and she loved them!  The rest of the afternoon was spent taking the most wonderful nap before getting ready for the Christmas Eve service.

We went with Zac's family to their church's Christmas Eve service and then came back to eat dinner and hang out!

TK talking to her Aunt Shelby

Of course we have to have to have a photo-shoot in our 1st Christmas dress!

ahhh it's always good to come home!

Christmas morning at my parent's house!

Opening her first gift!

The rest of the day was spent playing with our toys and eating brunch.  After a nice nap, we headed over to Pops & Gigi's house to open up more gifts and spend time with family!  

Christmas Time in NYC

This trip will always be such a fun memory to look back on and I'm pretty sure now every Christmas I'll want to take a trip back to NYC. ;)  We had such a great time and I"m so thankful for my sweet hubby for surprising his girls with this trip!

On our way to NYC!

First stop...Rockefeller Center! & then Starbucks :)

We had lunch at Celsius at Bryant Park...probably my favorite part of our whole trip.  It was so pretty to look out the window and see people ice skating, or attempting to at least. ;)

As good as we could get...One day I will have to apologize to TK that I let Santa hold her.  Not exactly my "Miracle on 34th Santa" that I had in mind.  Maybe next year. Koodos to Zachary for putting up with me and my desire to get a picture of Tatum on Santa's lap. ;)  

In front of Macy's!  We took the old wooden escalator up all 9 floors.  It was a zoo and reminded me of the movie Elf!

When I think of Christmas time in NYC, I think of this.

On our way back to New Haven.  One sleepy girl, and a tired and worn out mama & daddy.

tk's first ornament.

Tatum Kate {8 Months} "Daddy Edition"

I think it goes with out saying that the person typically in charge of TK's monthly pics is her mama.  So that made it all the more special when Zachary decided he would do a little photo shoot with Tatum Kate while I was away finishing some last minute Christmas shopping.  I will always look back at these and smile because I love how he made sure Tatum had most of her accessories on..bow, tights & even bloomers. Haha!  Zac had a point to taking these and it was the surprise that he wrote on the last board!

"I Have:  Seen the tree at Rockefeller Plaza!"  Surprise trip to NYC!

Christmas Fun

December was a fun and full month for us!  As a new mama, I really enjoyed planning our calendar and trying to start small traditions with our little family.  

At Tom & Lisa's annual gingerbread house/man decorating night.  So fun!

Play-time with dada.

Celebrated Anna's birthday!

TK and I visited my old work and joined in on the office Christmas party fun!

1st Annual cocoa/pj/Christmas lights night.  

Decorated Christmas cookies at our house with our friends.

TK "watching" Elf for the first time.  

Pelli Christmas Party 2014 with Justin & Janine
{last year I was 5 months pregnant & this year we had an 8 month old home with a babysitter...aka Roxy!}

This night...oooh the memories.  What started off as a fun trolley ride to see Santa, ended with us getting right back on the trolley to come back home because let's just say Santa was scary...and well, not really what I had in mind.  

Lots of Sunday afternoon snuggles!

Family Pictures