CHRISTMAS!

Christmas weekend was beautiful. Colorado had been hit with around 12 inches of snow only days before Christmas so we had a gorgeous white Christmas here and couldn't have enjoyed it more. Christmas Eve morning, Ahma, Ahpa, Daddy, Mommy and Nevi all went to the Denver Aquarium to have 'Brunch with Santa'. Santa came to the Aquiarium to, yes be with the kiddos, but he also went SCUBBA DIVING with the fish and sharks! Santa was IN the aquariums, along with his elf and a couple of beautiful mermaids. We all ate a pretty nice brunch whil writing a letter ot Santa and watching the awesome underwater entertainment. Christmas Day was the usual unrevealing of presents but we also went SLEDDING down some perfect hills within walking distance on the Ryan Elementary School grounds. Nevi absolutely LOVES sledding and goes down by herself hollering the whole way down. Just listening to her makes ya smile. Nevi also enjoyed Chuck E Cheese with Ahma and Ahpa while Robb and I made a trip up into the mountains of Boulder (Gold Hill) for a magical evening of live music at the Gold Hill Inn. This is our third annual trip to Gold Hill over Christmas weekend to hear our friend and neighbor play his guitar in a mountain cabin that makes you feel like you're home. Probably our last 'date' before our baby boy is born and believe me, we enjoyed every second of it. Christmas always reminds of how truly lucky we are in this life, with family and with love.

Christmas at Grandma Pat's

The weekend BEFORE Christmas, Nevi and mommy flew into Rockford, IL to spend an early Christmas with Grandma Pat, Ken, Aunt Kristin, Uncle Keith and the 2 cousins Gavin and Ella. We stayed there for 4 days and had an absolutely amazing time. This was the first trip where Nevi really played with her cousins - it brought back so many memories of my childhood, playing the basement of my grandma's house with my sister and cousins, mainly reenacting our favorite movie 'Little Orphan Annie'. We hung out in the basement feeling free and creative while the adults were upstairs probably rambling on about their gallbladders and meatloaf recipes. Oh, how the tides have turned. Spending time with cousins and family is one of the biggest gifts I feel I can give Nevi -I was very sad to leave and Nevi was, too. She held on very tightly to Grandma Pat in the airport as we were leaving and I could see the fear in her eyes of knowing that it may be a while before we have play time like this again (at least with the IL/WI crew). This experience really reenforced my desire to replant roots closer to family...we shall see. While in Rockford, we went to the Children's Discovery Museum, to the Rathskellar (my favorite German Restaurant), celebrated my Aunt Lynn's 70th birthday, went on a Luminary walk, and had a very traditional Christmas gift exchange. I left Illinois feeling revived and satiated (and a little bloated from all the wonderful food). I can't thank Gavin and Ella enough for playing SO nicely with Nevi and showing her how fun cousins can be! What great kids! Nevi also had heeps of fun with Aunt Kristin and Uncle Keith - lots of 'I'm gonna getcha games' and the kind of physical play that Nevi just loves!

Early Holiday Festivities

Santa came to Lafayette, CO early in December and Nevi was excited! She began their meeting a little hesitant but before long, she was up on his lap wanting to show him her new Santa book. He was one of most gentle and calm Santas I've ever met and I know Nevi appreciated his smile and willingness to let her just talk.There were also carolers on the streets of downtown Lafayette that our whole family enjoyed listening to. On a side note, we have been playing lots and lots of 'super hero' lately and have made capes from blankets and crowns of construction paper. Nevi LOVES any opportunity to use her safety scissors and run throughout the house (not at the same time, of course).