Christmas Eve is probably Jeff's favorite family tradition. His extended family gathers to celebrate Christmas with a feast of meatballs, Christmas carols, a few presents, and family pictures. There is always lots of fun!
After all the fun, Jeff took my to the urgent care that was nearby. My ear drum had ruptured due to an ear infection and I was very thankful for the medicine to help me sleep and at least dull the pain so we could all enjoy Christmas Day!
She really loves her new rocking chair.
For Lily's birthday we bundled up and headed to zoo lights. It had been a few years since Jeff and I had gone and it was fun to experience it again with Lily. She loved watching the lights. Grandma Kay and Papa even got to join us for the fun adventure.
If you haven't been, you should go!
Lily's favorite part was going in the aquarium. I loved watching her expression and she looked on in awe at the fish, especially the huge sharks, swimming by.
What a special day to celebrate a special girl!
She enjoyed her second round of sugar. My Grandpa's favorite apple cake this time. 
It is nice to know all that spoiling was appreciated! 
The table was covered with paper and crayons and fun puzzles to keep her sweet cousins entertained. And of course, yummy chocolate banana cupcakes to remind everyone to save some room for dessert.
It only took Lily a minute to discover the cupcake was well worth eating. 
And she loved it! I hear some baby's don't like their first birthday cake, but apparently Lily has a sweet spot for chocolate. 
Lily had so much fun celebrating with her cousin.
And of course Grandma had lots of fun celebrating with Lily.
Lily really got into opening her presents. She loved the bows, but was eager to see what was inside too.
Happy Birthday to my sweet baby girl!
Bridget (18 months), Greta (3 months), Lily (12 months)
While Jeff cut down the tree, Lily and I had fun playing in the trees.
Lily, our nature girl, loves being outdoors.
1200 lights later...
Lily had fun looking at the ornaments and playing under the tree.
It is a Gwynne Family tradition to gather for cookie baking each December, a traditions that has been going on for over 30 years! Bakers are always greeted with a sign on the Christmas train. Everyone who comes brings two types of cookies, one that is premade and one ready to bake. Then we spend the whole day laughing, chatting, and baking yummy cookies!
Lea made her traditional red and green spritz and Russian tea cakes. She did get some help rolling all that dough in to balls by her mom, Laura, who also made refrigerator cookies and peanut butter blossoms. 
Angela followed in her mom's traditions with M & M cookies, carefully placing a balance of red and green M & M is every cookie, and a new delicious soft ginger snap. 
Lily was really excited to be in on all the action. She played in the kitchen with the cooks most of the day. I think she was hoping to sneak another taste of cookie dough. She "helped" me with our pretzel-rolo candies and magic cookie bars. 
This is just a sample a few varieties of cookies. We each went home with bins filled with 10 different types of yummy holiday treats. 
And we took a break to Skype with Grandma Kay who will get to enjoy some of these cookies when she comes up to visit in a few days!
Lily loved playing with her cousins! She was really into exploring everyone around her. When all the cousins would jump up and run off to the next adventure she would watch them with longing. Next year I am sure she will be right behind them to join in all the fun.
Some of the fun was making ginger bread houses. This is the second year in a row cousins have decorated houses and it is a highlight for them!
