Christmas Day 2011

Merry Christmas 2011! Our little ones are celebrating their 2nd and 3rd Christmases and it was a fun one this year especially with Hayden who popped out of his room asking if Santa Claus came. So precious! Clare just enjoying all the new things to play with (albeit inappropriately sometimes). We shared in an exciting morning together and I'm looking forward to more of this chapter in our lives.



In love with the new BIG DIGGER



Checking out his new chair



Checking out the new kitchen



Happy girl in her new chair. Sit is a new word and this place will be just the right height for her to climb into.



Looking a the new cabbage patch doll brush.



In awe of the fact that there was more to be had



What have we found here?



Getting down to business



Bless his heart, he didn't know if the box was the gift or not. After he unwrapped it, he was ready to move on because he thought what you see is what you get. Little did he know that exciting clothes (every almost 3 year olds dream) lie inside.



Taking a moment to rest from all the unwrapping. Whew!



Clare opening one present, because there was too much to do after that




I think it was a hit as she is giving it a big hug



Eating a little Hayden sweet toast...that's his version of ours



Eating a little baked french toast



Daddy opening his toy and the kids offering their unwrapping assistance



Checking out her new little purse and figuring out how to wear it over her arm



Working a little energy off by wrestling Daddy on the ground



Wearing their hooded towels around the house while playing in their new little kitchen that Santa brought them

Christmas Eve 2011

Clare all dolled up and hamming it up for the camera.



Brother Hayden trying to get sister to look at the camera for me.



Clare making her rounds.



Two cuties!



Before Christmas Eve service





Late at night after Santa's visit!

Wintertime fun

Our sweet neighbors Tom & Kathy, gave Hayden a little Christmas gift. They gave him a little wooden car that has to be assembled with hammer and nail and after getting home, the boys got right to work. Hayden took a few swings by himself, but it was mostly a guided lesson (which isn't a bad thing when you're working at the table in the house and not on a workbench.)









Here's sweet little Clare all dolled up in her sweater dress taking in the Christmas tree.



She like to pretend to eat the candy cane ornaments on the tree and would pretend she was taking bites of it.



Clare did pretty well not taking the tree apart over a month's time. Less than a handful of times was I handed an ornament and left looking for the hook on the tree. At least I knew it was on a low branch.

Durango and The Polar Express

On our way up to Durango, there is a good stretch with very little to stop at and during this trip our eldest was potty training. So, during one our stops with a little potty chair, I decided to take a few pictures of the picturesque surroundings. This horse posed for me the most of the six that were in this open pasture. You also see Derrick and Clare taking in the view and getting the fresh air.







Once to our hotel, we took in the view shortly as the sun set behind the foothills of the bigger mountains we would see tomorrow. We had a riverview room and it was lovely to hear the moving water. It just makes you feel more hydrated here. We ate our packed dinner and bathed the kids, we got into our pajamas as that is a prerequisite for the Polar Express and headed over for our adventure.









Once there, we waited for a little while in the warm depot. We then got out to the loading area where we got to see the steam engine, the Polar Express, pull in just as the book describes it, cloaked in a blanket of steam. A nice lady offered to take our picture as a family. Always appreciated.







We loaded the train and it was nice and warm inside. For awhile we enjoyed hearing the book The Polar Express read aloud, we drank hot cocoa (and apple cider that I brought for my little milk allergic guy). The conductor came through and punched all of our golden tickets. We sang Christmas carols and enjoyed all the Christmas lights as we rode along. We saw Santa Clause on his sleigh at the North Pole then we got to see him on the train. He gave every child a beautiful silver jingle bell. Hayden didn't know quite what to say to him and Clare had no idea what to make of this man with a white beard and dressed all in red. But they were quite impressed by him.















After the train ride we got to walk around the train museum and there were some beautiful displays. The kid's favorite was the large electric train table. You can even see Clare perched up on her tiptoes to see it moving around. There were beautiful train engines in there as well and old train station benches, where the kids posed together for me.







One more stop by the trains on our way out. Hayden is in front of the Polar Express (PE) caboose and then one of the depot. It was a beautifully kept train station.





Some beautiful mountain views closer to Durango Mountain Resort ski area. We probably won't get any skiing in this year, but we wanted to show Hayden what skiing looked like. He was ready to hop on the slopes that day.