Beautiful Day : 010

Winter Wonderland

Snow, Snow, and More Snow!

Traditionally, we spend Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in Kansas City with Jason's side of the family and in the afternoon travel to spend the remainder of the holiday with Granny Franny, Papa D, Aunt Dana and Uncle Brandon in Iowa. This year's intentions were the same as every other, but the weather put a little spin on our plans. As the snow began to approach, we realized that if we were to stay in Kansas City until Christmas Day, we probably wouldn't make it to Iowa...so after much debate it was decided we would head to Iowa early, which meant celebrating our immediate family Christmas a day early! Logan is so young, he had no idea, which worked out well!

We set out brownies and milk for Santa and of course carrots for the reindeer. Logan awoke and found that Santa was very kind to him this year! We enjoyed a breakfast casserole and mimosas, packed and loaded our belongings and headed out that afternoon for Iowa.
And, boy it's a good thing we left when we did! The roads were awful, but after slow travels we made it safely to be snowed in for the entire weekend!
No one really seemed to mind, considering our plans were to enjoy each other's company throughout the entire weekend regardless.
Logan received lots of fun toys - one of his favorites being a plastic recorder and harmonica in his stocking. He received a mini four-wheeler from Granny Franny and Papa D as well as a basketball hoop from Aunt Dana and Uncle Brandon - with such cool and generous gifts, who would have thought the recorder would have gotten so much use so far!? :)
The snow ended up being lots of fun and while Logan was napping, the adults decided to act like kids and head outside!
Even Braisy enjoyed the snow playing festivities!
Once it finally quit snowing and blowing, Logan came out for a while to give his new snow boots a try. He thinks they are pretty cool...

Some of Logan's other favorites from the weekend were dancing with a stuffed singing dog and searching around the house for the cat while doing a pretty darn funny cat impression.
And of course, getting to ride the real four wheeler with dad was a highlight too...even though his poor little cheeks and nose were bright red by the time we made him come inside.
While this year was a little different from others, we had a wonderful time and are once again thankful for all of our fabulous family members who made this holiday season the special one it was. I hope you and your family were blessed with the same - Merry Christmas!

Beautiful Day : 009

Yea, you could say we have fun...

March of the Penguins

This past weekend was our third annual trip to what my side of family has come to call - The Penguin House. It's the weekend before Christmas where we spend an entire weekend together to celebrate Christmas - yes, thirteen of us, under one roof for four days. The house is located in Galena, Illinois at Eagle Ridge Resort and was dubbed the Penguin House the first year because of the two large ceramic penguins that sit all year around on the mantle. The following year, we each received a smaller penguin figurine, which represents each member of the family.

While together, we spend the weekend visiting, exchanging gifts and of course eating constantly! It has snowed every year we've been there and we decided to bring a sled this year for Logan (as opposed to the makeshift box we turned into a sled last year). Unfortunately, the snow was a bit iced over and Logan hated the noise because it was so loud. So, he walked with the rest of us like a big boy.

We thought he'd have fun exploring in the snow, but were clearly wrong as you can see...

While he wasn't a fan of sitting in the snow, he loved sitting on the penguin door mat munching on a huge icicle - real safe, huh? He was pretty upset when we told him it was time to head inside.

My mom will be 50! the day after Christmas and we threw her a SURPRISE party while were there! If you know my mom, this was a huge task planning a party without her knowing! It was a success though! :)

It was really fun opening presents with Logan this year. He of course wasn't lacking in the gift receiving department and it isn't even Christmas yet!

For the first time, we built a gingerbread house too, which Logan received earlier in the week from his Great Grandad Ernie and GiGi Vi. We had a great time decorating eating it and it was a festive centerpiece for Christmas dinner!

The boys even built us a cute little snowman! We had fun changing his hat and accessories throughout the weekend.

And here's our cutie pushing around one of his favorite gifts of the weekend - a popper lawn mower. Loud and obnoxious; easy to push and durable - the perfect gift for our little toddler!

Here Comes Santa Claus...Here Comes Santa Clause...

A week or two ago, we reluctantly agreed it was time to take Logan to see Santa. I say we were reluctant because I had heard stories and was picturing a worst case scenario with Logan screaming, clawing and pulling away from Santa to of course...be back in Mama's arms. Because neither Jason or I wanted to battle the mall crowds, we decided the Mission Lights Festival would be the perfect way for Logan to meet Santa for the first time in person.

We made our arrival just in time to see the lights of the tree turn on for the first time - Logan was impressed and really enjoyed the lights!

We then went over to roast some marshmallows - another first that Logan devoured!

Soon after, Mr. and Mrs. C made their grand entrance on their Cyber Sleigh! This is no regular old sleigh, it's a suped up sleigh with flashing lights, a joy stick and blasting Christmas tunes with a strong beat. As you can imagine, Logan thought this was pretty awesome!

So we began the wait in line to see the infamous Santa. Meanwhile, asking (confirming) if Logan was excited or even wanted to see Santa. He eagerly nodded his head yes, over and over and over. So, we thought...okay, we'll see how this goes.

It was our turn, I plopped him on Santa's lap while Jason snapped away with the camera. I stood nearby in case he were to freak out as we had expected. Nothing. He did absolutely - nothing but stare at Santa's beard. He loved it and honestly, I think Jason and I could have left to drink a little hot cider by the fire for a bit and he wouldn't have even cared! So, we swooped him up and went on with our festivities, of course asking him through the night, "did you have fun with Santa," in which he'd reply either, "yes," or the infamous, "mo, mo, mo," indicating more in sign language. Boy, did we underestimate his relationship with Santa...

Fortunate Soul

Yesterday, we found out just how much Logan loves fortune cookies! He reached, pointed and grunted - which if you aren't familiar, is toddler speak for, "could I please have one of those yummy looking things?" So, I let him try one - well, I started with half. And he wouldn't only take half, he wanted the whole thing. So, I gave in; there are worse things he could be eating, right? He devoured it!

Then, after dinner he wanted to finish up with some fruit in his playroom at the big-boy table. I offered him a banana or (not sure why this was an option?) a fortune cookie. Of course, he chose a fortune cookie. And let me tell you - it must have been meant to be that he'd eat not one but two fortune cookies for the first time because check out his fortune! I thought it was funny and fitting anyway...

Let it Snow...

Finally...some snow in Kansas City! Logan has been so cute watching the snow falling outside; it hasn't been much but at least there is a little dusting on the ground to make it white and festive for the holiday season!

Not only has he been excited about the real snow flakes falling outside but also the faux flakes that make up the infamous snow globe! We have a few of them sitting around as decorations and he loves everything about them, the little objects inside, the music, and of course the little white specs that swirl around every time you shake it up!

Each time we get one of the snow globes out he wants us to do it over and over again - indicating this of course by signing "more" in sign language and verbally yelling, "Mo, mo, mo, mo..."

So, we're enjoying the snow thus far - inside and out! In my opinion, if it's going to be cold outside, it might as well be snowy and beautiful, right? So, as the ever so popular song says...Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

O' Christmas Tree...

O' Christmas Tree! O' Christmas Tree!

Thy leaves are so unchanging...

Not only green when summer's here,

But also when tis' cold and drear...

O' Christmas Tree! O' Christmas Tree
Thy leaves are so unchanging...

Beautiful Day : 008