Oh Tannenbaum!

Having a child makes the holidays so much merrier, we had many firsts this year....

This is our first year putting up Christmas lights! We were very pleased with all of our hard work.

Our first year hanging our grown up stockings (vs our childhood ones.) Even Asha had a stocking :)

First advent calendar-handmade knitted little pouches.

Hung at Asha level, so that next year, she can open a pouch each day and discover its treasure.

I loved nutcrackers as a child, and hope that Asha enjoys them too.

Liam, our Scottish nutcracker.

The day after Christmas, we all headed to beautiful Lake Tahoe. This has been a very special family retreat for many years. The lake is so huge, it does not freeze. At night, we listened to the waves lapping, and ate and laughed and played games. During the day, there was sunshine, snowshoeing and sledding!

The men in the family slide down with arms linked.

Smiling, lovely ladies of my life, soon to be grandma, aunties, and cousin to Asha.

We saw a bobcat outside our house!

A while back, I promised some nesting photos. I have been one busy bee, and Asha's room is just about ready. Enjoy!

The Chair. This chair rocks, it reclines, it swivels, and it is very, very comfortable. We hope this chair becomes a special place for Asha to be cuddled and read to. And if need be, this chair is even comfortable to sleep in. I tried it out, just to be sure.

Books I have been saving for Asha for years, and books generous friends and family have given to Asha. The Very Hungry Caterpillar is my absolute favorite.

Crib friends, bedding set, and a super soft knitted blanket from my cousin Jessica.

Elephant wall hanging that matches Asha's bedding.

Our first family photo will fill this lovely frame, a gift from Devi and Treya's mom Julie.