Team Cohen: Celebrating Channukah

Last year, when Gabi was 10-months-old, we wrapped her Channukah presents so that - inevitably - we could unwrap them for her. She enjoyed looking at the bright candles...and that was about it.

This year with an almost 2-year-old, Gabi was so much more interactive with our Channukah celebration! By the third night, she had the routine down! She told us where to get the step stool, showed us where to put it, climbed up the step stool, grabbed the box of candles, and started setting the candles in the channukiot. She would dance along to the blessings as we sang them outloud and then immediately climb down the steps, sit down on the floor angelically, and announce "pesents?" (The question is, Was she well-trained or did she have us well-trained?)

On the first night of Channukah, Aunt Syssa and Uncle Craig invited us over to celebrate together, and we cooked up some deliciously fried latkes!

Happy Channukah to ALL and to Ethan, a Happy FIRST Channukah!

Uncle Craig helps Gabi light the first candles of the holiday.

(Just because we so rarely get highlighted in the blog, I decided to make it a big picture.)

Opening our first present - What could it be? What could it be?

It's a Pound-A-Peg from Nana and Zayde!

It's Ethan's turn for a present. (which means Gabi gets to
unwrap another present...) The suspense is killing him!

Happy 1st Night of your 1st Channukah, Ethan!

On the 2nd night of Channukah, Aunt Alana gave to her -
Gabi's very own laptop!

3rd Night Selfies! (not easy to do with 2 kids, a phone, and a background to capture)

We then opened up the most AMAZING and beautiful Channukah presents! Words cannot say Thank You enough to Aunt Gail (and Uncle Harris, Brittany, Chelsea, and Vincent) for the breathtaking handmade quilts sewn for each child that includes a special square in each made from Uncle Bob's (who Ethan is named after) old shirts. Truly special!

4th Night! (Daddy had to work again.) Tonight, we get books from Aunt Mandy, Uncle Mitch, and cousins Noah and Sammy.

I believe the exact quote was: "Woah, book! BOOOOOOOK. Yay book hippo! Hippo! Hippo book. Yay book! Tank you, weh-come!"

5th Night of Channukah arrives, and we are so excited that Daddy is finally home to celebrate with us!

Gabi is pleased with her alphabet puzzle from Nana and Zayde.

Ethan doesn't quite get this thing that Nana and Zayde got for him, and then WOAH!

On the last night of Channukah, we get the oil ready again! This time, we make latkes at our house.

Gabi, the kitchen helper, grates the potatoes and learns about the flipping process...
I'm pretty sure sharp objects and hot oil are not good for toddlers, but no one told Gabi that.

We have taken family pictures every year since Jon and I got married. This year, of course, was no exception. For the first time since we got married, however, we were not able to include our feline family members. Blame Ethan if you will. It's still a cute picture.