This is partly my fault. I gave myself a HUGE to-do list for the break, which basically included organizing my entire house, which has fallen into disarray since the arrival of Miss Caroline (who is so stinkin' cute, and I realize it may look like I'm favoring my younger child here, but the reality is that she can't talk back right now, so I will completely admit that she's my favorite). So each day of the break I had a moment mid-day where I looked around at the contents of a messy closet I had pulled out on the floor and felt completely overwhelmed. So I would pull the belt that Caroline was chewing out of her mouth (you know, from the contents of the messy closet being on the floor) and move on to something else. House in even more disarray. Sigh. But, we did have a lovely Christmas, and lots of family time. So, here's a look back at the Lazuta Christmas of 2013, and no looks back at the interior of my house. Because it's still in disarray.
Avery, Grandpa Tommy, and the little snowman that could.
A safe distance. And not just because of the cold.
The same size!
Sadie retaliated for that jingle bell necklace by eating Avery's preschool teachers' presents (see below).
Avery's Christmas pageant at Lakeview Preschool. Caroline can't believe her good luck.
Annnnnnnnnnddddd, there's a Kristen Finney face, circa 1984.
Avery's teacher, Mrs. Jeannie
We are working on the shyness. It's really becoming a problem.
Avery's been terrified of Santa for her whole little life. This year she hopped right up like he was her best pal...maybe it was the similar outfits?
Here, Avery is playing Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker Suite from memory.
The fabulous Young family- Rhys and Addy
Caroline and Rhys- born 3 days apart- pretty smitten with each other.
Gingerbread house construction at Nana's- the best place to do that sort of thing.
Ahhh, here is where Sadie destroyed Avery's presents for her preschool teachers to obtain the Ghiradelli chocolate squares inside. We discovered this scene only moments before she was to take the presents to school. Sadie felt lots of remorse. Not.
Avery, Caroline, Mimi, and Grandpa Tommy at the Sharonville Woods Holiday in Lights
This was the best Santa I'd ever seen- he was at the Holiday in Lights. Too bad Avery and Cara are less than impressed.
Dangerous? Yes...but anything for a cute picture, right?
Festival of Lights at the Cincinnati Zoo. My friend Diana says Chris looks creepy in this picture. Upon further inspection, I have to agree. :):):)
Nana and the wild animals.
See what I mean about the "so stinkin' cute" thing? And the poinsetta on her head seals the deal.
Avery and I at the Nutcracker performance. She did pretty good, but things began to deteriorate in the second act, when she began running back and forth, "dancing" in our row. 
This is just a random Boxer I saw sitting in a car on Christmas Eve at Kroger. His owner must also have problems with being eaten out of house and home.
And here's poor Caroline sharing the cart with cereal and chips, clearly she already prefers Pringles (who doesn't?).
Christmas morning, Mimi and a conked out Caroline.
She did get presents, even though all she deserved was coal. :)
You know Dasher and Dancer, Prancer and Vixen, Comet and Cupid, Donner and Blitzen, but do you recall, the most WIDE-AWAKE reindeer of all? Caroline, the NO-SLEEP reindeer, had some very sweet, bright eyes. And if you ever saw them, they were always surely OPEN....
Avery celebrates Christmas as Tinkerbell, with Nick Cannon and Neil Patrick Harris along for the ride.
Nana and cutie pants.
Caroline got a sweet new ride for Christmas. We like that it's stationary.
Ave striking a pose on Christmas night.
This is like when ET disappeared into the stuffed animals.
Caroline is pretty vain.
Avery went to see Frozen with her best girls, Sydney and Addy...during the show Avery belted out one of the featured songs as if she was in the movie- hilarious.
Nana and Avery
Apathetic Lincoln Log building. :)
FA LA LA LA LA, LA LA LA LAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
