Shred

 

Parker started ski lessons this year with a couple of his buddies! And okay, so his first skiing experience maybe shouldn't be described as shredding, but he exceeded our expectations. For one thing, the kid is pretty sensitive when it comes to the cold so we thought he'd basically be a wreck the whole time complaining about being too cold. Instead, he seemed to have a blast and he looked relatively comfortable on skis. So maybe he'll shred the mountain next time.

Mmmmmm! Donuts!

Happy New Year From Palm Springs

 

This year we rang in the new year in Palm Springs. The week was spent lounging around, soaking/splashing in the hot tub, playing at the park, visiting the zoo, and doing other various kid related activities. As always, a vacation with kids isn't truly a vacation, but it was still nice to spend time together in a place that was warmer than home. 

 

{Christmas jammies and favorite stuffies}

 

{The kids were instantly impressed by the pool when we arrived}

 

{More matching jammies}

 

{Pool time and palm trees}

 

 

 

{Thanks for the sticker book Grandma Dianna}

 

{Movies and snacks on the airplane for Conway :-)}

 

{And ditto for Parker}

 

 {Ring Around The Rosie in the airport while waiting to board}

 

Happy New Year!!

Merry Christmas!

 

This was the first year we spent Christmas Eve at our own home. Grandma Dianna took the train up, we all went to church, the boys put out cookies and milk for Santa, and we went to sleep our own beds. Then on Christmas morning, after digging into our stockings and opening presents, we all piled into the car and headed down to Camas. This was also the first year that Parker had LOTS of questions and excitement about both Santa and the birth of Jesus so it was an especially fun advent season in our house.

 

{Teddy and Conway's new lion giving each other hugs}

 

{A new book from Parker to Conway. Who seems more into it? Ha!}

 

{The new road rug from Santa was an instant hit}

 

 {And we arrived in Camas for a healthy dose of what David correctly titled "Cousin Chaos". These six kids (surrounded by even more aunts, uncles, and grandparents) got pretty crazy - wonderful, but crazy}

 

 

{Cuddles from Grandma Connie (and Teddy)}

{Sami all glammed up}

 

{Although he couldn't make it, Uncle Damian sent a big box of presents (appropriately wrapped in ski maps and avalanche newspaper articles!)}

{Philip and Parker trying out the new walkie-talkies from Uncle Damian}

 

 

Merry Christmas from our crazy house to yours!

Cookies and Milk

 

Apparently Santa likes chocolate chip cookies with his milk, so Parker and David whipped up a special batch on Christmas Eve.