Christmas in Coronado

It is officially Christmas time here in Coronado.   We have had so much family Christmas fun lately, so I wanted to record some of the memories here on the blog.   We put out our decorations a couple of weeks ago.   We decided against doing a tree this year, but here a a few photos of the things we did put out .  

Here is our handcarved nativity from Madagascar that Grammy bought for us at the Strasbourg Christmas market a few years ago.   Is it somehow sacreligious to have baby Jesus on a cable box?   It is just the only place high enough to be protected from curious toddler hands.  

Here are our stockings hanging from our mantel.   We still haven't used the fireplace, but I'm so thankful to have a place to hang the stockings.

 Peter strung some lights around the living room.  

And we hung our silver bells that Sarah Beth gives us every year at Christmas.   I just love these.    

We decided to let Susannah have her two Christmas presents from us early.   We know she doesn't understand, so we thought, why not let her have them now?   Lord knows, she will be getting enough from all the grandparents on the real Christmas morning.  

Pat the Bunny is her favorite book, but she has "read" it so many times, it is falling apart.    So Santa brought her a new shiny one.   

He also bought her this little purse.   Her friend Leyton has one and Susanhan LOVES it.   It comes with a lipstick, a mirror, keys, and some play money.   Here she is checking herself out in the mirror.  

And eating her lipstick.

Thanks Santa!!   I love my purse!!

 We also went to the Coronado Christmas parade.   Susannah loved looking at all the floats and bands that came by.

The Westie rescue mission of San Diego walked in the parade    Here are all the Westies donning their Christmas outfits.  

Susannah was wide-eyed the whole time.  

And here is the greyhound rescue organization.   This was awesome because all the greyhounds had lights on their outfits.   (Yes, the parade did have participants of the human variety.   We just didn't feel the need to take pictures of these.)

The grand finale was Santa on the fire engine.   

Like I mentioned in the last post, Susannah was NOT a fan.   

It has been pretty chilly here, so Susannah has been able to dress in her warm and cozy hat and mittens, adding to the Christmas vibe.

We gave it a week after the Christmas parade to do Santa part 2.    We went to Seaport Village, a touristy cluster of restaurants and shops that are on the water in San Diego.  

Susannah was all about it while we waited in line.   

She was decked out and ready for the perfect Santa picture.   

Should we wear the aviators for the shot?   What do you think Dada?

Our turn next!   Still excited!

If sitting with Santa is as fun as playing on these steps, then I'm all for it!

Actually, I think I'm ready to go see Santa right NOW!!

 Oh, how quickly the mood changed once it was actually our turn.......

Scary, so so scary.   

Oh this is torture, Mommy.   Please rescue me!

We ended the weekend by having brunch at Clayton's, the beloved diner in Coronado.   We have always wanted to go, but have never been willing to wait in the line.   It wasn't too crowded on Sunday morning though, so we managed to get a table.  

These are the faces of two people really really excited about blueberry pancakes.



I think it is safe to say that the Mallory's are off to a great start for a fun-filled Christmas season!!  Hope all of you are having a Merry season too.     Don't forget to do that last minute shopping at www.stelladot.com/whitneymallory !