tis the season...

...for lots of photos...

Our halls are decked, our stockings are hung, our tree is trimmed, and our home is overflowing with both holiday decor and Christmas spirit.

As I may have exclaimed the other day, our new camera takes pictures that can seem more beautiful than real life.

Yes, that's Pam in a bedazzled sombrero. That tiny hat came from a box that was left in the basement of our friends' apartment and was filled to the brim with decorations for a fiesta-themed Christmas party. The box also included a full Santa suit, a Ken doll in a tux who has now traveled the world with us and our friends and so many other random treasures. I think Pam looks particularly smashing, and also rather devious.

Helo also had a chance to try on the sombrero, and he wasn't so much of a fan. He prefers to watch holiday decorating from the relative safety of his blurry corner of the couch.

He is, however, very intrigued by the new camera and the satisfying click each time we take a picture. Luckily, since he now spends a lot of time trying to rub his nose on the lens, he's also incredibly photogenic.

And just in case you were wondering what the holidays look like from my point of view...here's our baby girl at 32 weeks saying Merry Christmas!