A Colorado Christmas!

After the Santa excitement at our house, we loaded ourselves into our already loaded van and headed to Colorado to spend the rest of our week with the COOLEST Uncle I think we could ask for, Uncle Jon.  The van was packed full with our stuff, us, Nana and Piper but it was pretty smooth sailing if ya ask me.  Dada did most of the driving and Nana was in full time kid-pleaser mode in the back seat.  I tried to start out the trip sitting in the back, but after the first failed roadside pee-stop at Paige's request, Paige insisted that Nana sit in the back.  Poor Nana never made it back to the front. 

We made it to Uncle Jon's house in great time!  Once we arrived, Owen and Paige you guys ran around his fun, big house like little maniacs.  We spent the first night bellied up to the bar, setting up camp for our 4 day stay, and talking and playing with Uncle Jon and cousins Cameron and Derek.

On Thursday we took our time getting ready and shuffling around the house like a group of people with nowhere to be.  It was nice.  Later that night, our Papaw arrived and we celebrated Christmas together which included a yummy steak dinner and opening presents.  It was a lovely night!

The next two days included a trip to a train museum in Greeley, dinner with some very nice folks, Joe and Denay, that we have come to know over the years, and an adult night out for dinner and drinks.  Cameron lucked out and you both napped for several hours of his babysitting shift. 

'Twas the night before Christmas, 2013!'

I'd say you were both a little excited about Christmas this year.  This was our first Christmas Eve in our little house together. 
Things that made the night extra special
-watching our Dada's favorite, 'A Christmas Story'
-putting on our special Christmas Jammies, You looked like sweet little candy canes
-reading the 'The night before Christmas'
-talking about Santa and you really getting it
-our Nana having a sleep over to share a fun and special night with us

Carlsbad Christmas in Las Cruces!

This was the first year of my entire life that I did not spend Christmas in Carlsbad with my family.  It really didn't hit me until Christmas day and really hit when I got a text from Aunt Julie saying she was finding it harder not having us there than she had expected.  All was okay though because we spent the entire first week of Christmas with everyone we love so much.  The weekend before Christmas Carlsbad came to us.  Saturday, I (meaning dada) made a yummy dinner, then we opened presents and just enjoyed the company.

Tummy troubles!

This past weekend wasn't a complete bust. We saw Santa, did some Christmas shopping, and even went grocery shopping. We did all this while a nasty bug was building up ready to pounce. Mommy and daddy seem to have got the worst of it but today I'm home with a sick little Owie. I can hear his tummy rumbling just laying in bed next to him. My poor little chicken:(

Merry Christmas!

Saturday we headed out to see Santa. Owen and Paige, you were both so excited and waved and yelled to him from the gate while we waited in a thankfully short line. Owen, you asked Santa for a robot. Paige, you asked him for a pink baby doll.  Now we just wait to see if the big guy delivers! 

Letter to my "BIG" little 3-year-old Paige!

Dear, Fierce-Brave-Mighty-Sweet Paige

You are a month into your 3rd year and keeping this mommy on her toes! You continue to want to do things independently and I cling to doing things for you every chance I get.  You are still a daddy's girl and even yesterday proclaimed "daddy is my best friend". Believe me when I say, I was not rolling my eyes, I was just trying to get hair out of my face;)

 You love to sing and dance. When mommy announces a dance party, you are the first to jump up and start shaken it.  Your sweet little voice singing broken bits of songs we sing at home or ones you learn at daycare is my favorite thing to listen to. In fact, this morning you climbed in bed with us before 6 am and sang pieces of "You are my sunshine". I smiled, kissed your forehead and politely asked you to go back to sleep. 

You are a pretty good eater and still love to eat lots of fruit. But if we let you, I think you would eat candy morning, noon and night. 

You are outgoing with your friends at daycare and on play dates but get a little shy around adults you don't know very well.  You have lots of baby dolls and other girly toys but you seem more interested in playing superheroes, doctor, and monster games. 

Daddy and I often shake our heads at each other wondering where in the heck you come up with some of the stuff you say and do. We also have to take turns wrangling your little hinney because you like to make us work for things like getting dressed, taking a bath, or wiping your nose. 

You love your brother and daycare tells me you hug and kiss on him often. This makes my heart so happy! I won't go into the hair pulling, kicking, hitting, irritating each other that happens once and awhile (all the time;), who's gonna remember that stuff anyway?!

My Sweet Sunshine, My little Pay-G-G, My Sis-a-roo, My Sissy-sue. Stay brave, fierce and mighty!  I cannot get enough of your silly little personality and could just SQUEEZE you ALL DAY-EVERY DAY.. You make mommy proud and continue to be the brightest, funniest part of my life. 

Owenese...

"Nexterday"- meaning sometime tomorrow or anytime in the future really.

"Yesternight"- meaning last night, or yesterday, or anytime in the past. 

Owen, I LOVE your little made up words!