Meraws come to Boston!!

Oma and Opa joined us for a little TLC before Christmas. It was so nice to host them for our first Christmas here in Newton. Great food, great wine, great conversation and as always great singing (even a little piano playing from Mom and Dad!!). If you have visited us here you know that no exercise is not an option. Nature hiking is a must. We dragged Oma and Opa out for a good one on one of the coldest days yet this year. They were excellent sports about the whole thing.

The slow-pokes AKA "enjoy the journey" gang

Merawcicles

Mama's boy (..... ya know I am going to hear about that one later!)

Eva the Elf

Opa deserves a shout-out for this. The man read this book to Eva like fifteen times. I kid you not. It was out of control. Aunty Lisa bought this AMAZING book for Eva last year and it a sure fire hit with Eva when you offer to read it to her. Mom never offers. Never. Opa is a rock star reader.

It deserves two pictures. Seriously long book.

Oma was sure to provide the staple Christmas treats whose absence would not be tolerated at any Meraw-Christmas gathering! Macaroons and Whipped shortbread!

So- according to Mom- it really wouldn't be Christmas without a Gingerbread house (don't ask her because she does not recall A SINGLE gingerbread house in her home growing up....) Mom went to the mecca-martha for the designs.
As is the typical division of labour in most suburban houses- Mom does the housework:

but of course- Dad does the heavy lifting!

The not-so-final result

complete with melty snowman and woodpile

The only 'flaw' in the house was that is wasn't the 'typical' candy-coated delight that kids expect in a gingerbread house. Mom's heart hurt while she glued every m&m on the top of this guy. Lorelei pointed out later that perhaps she didn't need to go to such an extreme measure....
so- here's the kid-friendly version: