Sleigh Ride

Our wonderful friend Bob invited us and the Coopers to take the kids for a sleigh ride.  Xander was excited to see Jayden and really excited to hop into the sled.

Crackerjack the pony pulled the kids in the sled and they all smiled and giggled heading along the road.

After a good sleigh ride and some time to play in the snow, we unhitched the sled and Xander got to ride on Crackerjack.  A little bit scary at first, but then lots of fun!

After sleigh rides and pony rides, the kids found the snow covered trampoline.  Being able to play on a trampoline and in the snow at the same time was super fun.

Christmas Day!

Christmas morning is SOOO exciting.  Xander and Maya came downstairs to find that Santa had eaten the cookies that they left for him and Rudolph ate the yummy celery too.

After that discovery it was time to open stockings.

The only thing that Xander wanted for Christmas was an airplane with a button.  Xander had been talking about this airplane for months.  The look on a child's face when opening that special present is absolutely priceless.  Of course the subsequent happy dance is pretty good too.

Xander wanted to show his airplane to everyone!

After stockings we opened up the last door on the advent calendar to find a giant star to put on top of the advent tree.

We were able to keep the kids calm enough to eat some breakfast before opening the rest of the presents.  I will not spoil my children, I will not spoil my children, I will not spoil my children.  Really, I won't.

Xander made me a wonderful picture frame for christmas.  I can't wait to get a photo of him to put in it.  Where am I going to find one of those I wonder...

Maya was very excited, but not entirely sure what to do with all these presents.  Mom was a big help.

Ready to hit the powder.

Woah, that's a big one for Maya and Xander, what could it be?  A new art easel for the kids.  Xander and Maya both love to paint.

And a few more presents just for fun.  A remote control truck for dad, I mean from dad, and a singing puppy dog, Violet, for Maya.  Maya loves music.

Of course, no christmas would be complete without getting out my old roller skating teddy bear.  The kids thought it really fun.  Amazing that it still works after all these years.

Christmas Eve in Crested Butte

We spent the weekend before christmas up in Crested Butte.  Maya knows that everyone needs to wear sunscreen in Crested Butte, even her baby.

There is a wonderful sledding hill right outside our house and Xander and I had lots of fun sledding on the hill.  It is quite steep, so Maya isn't that interested yet.  I don't expect that to last long, she is already becoming quite the daredevil.

Xander writing his letter to Santa Claus. He really wants an airplane with a button on it, just like his friend Jack.  Since Maya can't write yet, Xander let Santa know that she wants books and art supplies.

Xander and Maya both got in some good skiing this trip.  Xander is riding the lift as well as the magic carpet now.  Maya is starting to get her ski legs under her.  She is still desperate to ride the big lift. Maybe later this year.

We wanted to have christmas day back at home so we headed back from crested butte on christmas eve.  At home we all read Twas the Night Before Christmas before everyone went to bed.

Christmas Art

Christmas is a great time to do art projects.

Xander and Maya both had fun building gingerbread houses.

Getting ready for Santa Claus to visit.

The Artist at Work

Maya's first attempt at water colors was a success!  I love seeing her creative process, and the pure joy she gets from seeing what she can accomplish.