This is my nephew, Alex. He is fabulous beyond words! Yesterday, he spent the afternoon sneaking around and stealing pictures of people, like a little paparazzi-in-training... So this was his pose when I told him I was taking HIS picture...

Besides Alex (and Benjamin, my other insanely cute nephew!), here are some other good things to appreciate, for Christmas or for always!

* when smiles linger * Oprah, UTNE and The Sun * public libraries * the way Emmylou Harris' voice leans into a note * The Altarnatives * cookies * singing with kids * itunes * innocence * penpals and the U.S. postal service * ice skating * 11:11 * making soup * dog smooches * new friends * travel * big and little sisters * direct flights * old friends * sweet reunions * cousins * Christmas stollen * Kentucky horse farms * snow * LED lights * Maura and Abby *