New Year's in Colorado

For New Year's the boys and I went to Colorado. Nate was going to come too but a broken rib kept him homebound. This was my first time flying solo with the boys in a long time, and they did great. I think that we can definitely take some Nate-less trips in the future.

Beckett made sure we took some pictures to show his kindergarten teacher.

We took lots of pictures with the families in front of the Christmas tree. I only had my phone because I didn't have room for my big camera in my carry-on on a solo trip, so the quality of these leaves a lot to be desired.

Some Sunday shots with Dad, Mom, Danielle, Taggart, and Megan. Megan and her fiance stopped by to say hi, and we were in the middle of dinner. I think John was a little shocked when we insisted that they pull up a chair and eat too. Danahers are family.

On Sunday I also went to see Allison. We sure miss having her family with us in Maryland, but if they can't live here, 7 minutes from my parents is the next-best option. Check out all our goofy boys.

My mom and I got Taggart to come watch the boys and escaped to see her friend in White Christmas. It was a really fun outing. We had extra time before the performance, so we went upstairs to see the art. I only took pictures of the Chihulys because they photograph well.

Paige and Peter were in Colorado for New Year's Eve. The boys had so much fun together.

I took several shots of the kids with the grandparents and Beckett is the only child smiling in any of them. So, way to go, Beckett. (I guess Charlie is smiling a bit in this one too.)

Happy New Year!

Christmas 2015

We had a very Merry Christmas.

For the last couple of years Beckett has organized a Christmas Concert for us. We put it on on a Sunday a couple of weeks before Christmas. This year Beckett organized the program and acted as the MC. You can watch videos from the concert here.

In keeping with tradition, we did the pajamas on Christmas Eve unwrapping. We had a particular theme that we extended even to the parents.

Then the kids wrote letters to Santa thanking him for visiting.

Welcome to Christmas morning! (My family room sure looks good with a tree in it. I kind of miss the tree.)

Felix received this awesome Batman house, and Beckett got the LEGO set (the Emperor set) that he's been longing for.

Merry Christmas to all!

Christmas Train 2016

For the second year in a row we spent our Black Friday in Strasburg, Pennsylvania. I'm committed to taking advantage of this awesome Christmas Train while my kids are still into trains and Santa. Once again, we had a fabulous time. (Last year's trip here.)

Here's the man of the hour.

Every year Santa gives the kids rainbow slinkies.

The view from the train is so idyllic.

After our train ride we went across the street to the Railroad Museum of Pennsylvania. It really is a great train museum, and we enjoyed visiting all of our favorite engines. Also, the kid's room is really fun, and we let the kids play in there for a really long time this trip.

Riding the Christmas Train is a fun tradition.

Christmas Tree Farm

Last year Beckett and I made a trip to the Christmas tree farm by ourselves, and this year, I really wanted the whole family to take the trip to the tree farm.


We were all so excited for Christmas this year, so we got our tree on the first day that the farm was open for the tree-cutting season. 

It was not as easy as we thought it would be to pick a tree that everyone was happy with. Nate was about ready to throw in the towel because Beckett was dead set on getting a lopsided tree. But, in the end, we convinced him to pick the one that we liked.

On our way home from the Christmas Tree farm we saw the Coca-Cola truck in our grocery store's parking lot. And the truck had brought Santa with it! So, we quickly pulled off so that Beckett could get his picture taken with Santa. It was very exciting. Felix, however, missed the fun because he was asleep in the car.

We were so incredibly happy with our tree. Here's the final product. I'm pretty sure we'll be back to the farm next year.

Christmas Lights

Last year after Christmas we went to Williamsburg, and we had so much fun that we decided to go for a repeat. There's a lot to see in Williamsburg, and even after a second trip, I still feel like we need to go back. I'll save the more historical posts for the new year and focus instead one last Christmasy post for 2014.

One of the big appeals of Williamsburg at Christmastime is Busch Garden's Christmas Town. We loved it so much last year that we really wanted to go back.

While the sun was still up we rode the train and a couple of other rides.

Here I ask, "who likes the train?" And Felix replies, "I do!"

Once the sun set we set off to enjoy the 8 million lights. (Yes, that is an accurate number. It's what the announcer told us on the tram ride in.) The park is divided into European countries (and French Canada), which makes for a quaint and other worldly experience

White lights in France.

Fake snow at the North Pole.

The huge Christmas tree in Germany.

Crossing the "Peace on Earth" bridge. I love this part of the park. It's really pretty and the choral music reminds me of my Children's Choral days.

Gold lights in Italy.

Green lights in Ireland.

Christmas Town may be a little over the top, but it's a great way to say farewell to Christmas with a bang. Nate and I were commenting on how well done the music is. They mingle the lights with a lot of classic, instrumental Christmas songs, and the result is really perfect. The crowds were really intense this year, due to the fabulous weather, but we still enjoyed ourselves.

Now we have to wait a whole year for Christmas to come again.