Christmas Adventures

 This year we found Santa at the zoo before Christmas. It was the first year Evan was ok with going to see him but he kept asking me if he could just stand next to Santa instead of sitting on his lap. He ended up being ok on his lap but was still not quite sure. Kaitlyn was only willing to admire from a far in the familiar arms of mom.

The kids loved making or maybe more accurately stated eating the gingerbread house.

 Then we headed to MA to visit grandma & grandpa with aunts, uncles, cousins and more. It was great!

My grandpa Ed ("pepe" as the kids started calling him because all the grandpas were getting confusing) was visiting. It was great to have him there. I don't remember when it was he last spent Christmas with us. My kids loved him, especially Kaitlyn. 

We had the kids dress up as we read the Nativity story. They did really well this year and enjoyed it. 

Grandpa taught Evan how to make fires. Aunt Michelle even caught him one night after he had just lit his own match. That was a little scary! Thank heavens  he didn't burn grandpa's house down while we visited. 

We enjoyed some hiking at my uncle's farm

Christmas morning . . . 

 We enjoyed playing with cousins and friends. 

I got to see my good girlfriends from high school which is always a treat.

Since Kaitlyn's current love is animals we took an afternoon visit some animals at a friend's farm. The kids loved it.

 It was a great trip and we are so glad we got to spend time with loved ones.

Merry Christmas

  

Steve

Becca

Evan (4 years)

Kaitlyn (18 months)

#3 (Boy) due March 26^th

Christmas Letter

Following The Cat in the Hat:

The sun shone too much

Down in Texas this year

The drops of rain

We seldom did hear.

I sat there with Kaitlyn,

We sat there we two.

And I said, “How I wish,

We had something to do!”

Too hot to go out

So we traveled so far.

So we sat for hours

In airplanes and in cars.

So all we could do

Was Sit! Sit! Sit!

And we did not like it.

Not one little bit.

And then something went bump!

How that bump made us jump!

Was it true who we saw,

With our precious, Aunt Anne?

Our new Uncle Dee,

I thought I was his Best Man.

And I said to my parents,

“Why do we sit here like that?

There’s lots to do in Houston,

now put on your hat!”

Here’s a race to run,

You might get a bit muddy.

Rodeos and festivals –

All with my buddies!

 “I know some place,

We could go to explore”

To Boston with Dad –

But no trip to the shore.

Then Kaitlyn and I,

Did not know what to do.

Our mother was ready

For a vacation or two.

But Dad said, “No! No!

Make that drive? No way!”

But nobody listens

What he has to say.

We flew into Boise

And started hangin’ about

Then off to Yellowstone,

“Grandma, Watch Out!”

“Now! Now! Have no fear!”

Said I to my Dad.

“Keep going to Calgary,

It won’t be that bad!”

Why, we have had fun,

But that is not ALL.

Making room for a brother,

Now I sleep down the hall.

What a wonderful year,

Full of fortune and fun!

We have much to be grateful,

Even the gift of His Son.

Merry Christmas!