Hanukkah 2012

This year Hanukkah fell in early December, starting on the 8th.  On that, the first night of Hanukkah, we all met up at Gigi and Pappu's house with Selena, Jason, Samara and Jeremy to celebrate the festival of lights.  

When we arrived, Gigi and Pappu were still getting ready and we were the first ones there... so, what to do, what to do?  Oh, how about play the piano!  Xander LOVES music and really likes to sit at the piano and play.  

Sometimes he takes his play time pretty seriously.

Dada was teaching him some new notes.

Awww!  Our little dreidel champion and his Dada!

TA DA!  OH!  LIGHT!!!

Macy was there too!  We didn't document it, but at one point Xander was going on Uncle Jeremy assisted Macy Rides - he sorta loved it.  Macy was a trooper to put up with it all.

After a wonderful dinner including Latkes (which everyone LOVED including Xander), it was time to clean up and open some presents!  Xander got the present opening started with his first gift from Auntie Selena and Uncle Jason.  Wow!  How did they know Xander wanted these awesome blocks? (Thanks Amazon wish list!)

They also gave him a play pair of shoes where he can learn to tie laces, zip zippers, button buttons and use velcro too.  Awesome toy, thanks!

Auntie and Uncle Famularo also got Xander a custom book with his name in it.  The book goes through the whole alphabet and tells Xander that he can be anything he wants to be, from A to Z.  Very sweet.

Lots more gifts were opened by everyone involved and a good time was had by all.  Thanks to everyone for being there and helping to make Xander's second Hanukkah a special one.

On the second night of Hanukkah, we were at home... but not for long!  Auntie Samara and Uncle Jeremy came over to our house to babysit Xander while Mama and Dada went to a Seahawks game.  But not before lighting the Hanukkah candles of course!

Before we knew it, the last night of Hanukkah was upon us.  Mama says it is the prettiest night of them all - just look at all the pretty candles!

One of our favorite parts of Hanukkah this year was the same thing that is the favorite part of our days - spending time together as a family, getting good hugs and having good laughs.  The best laughs are Xander's, so we'll leave you with one of our best Hanukkah memories...