Santa came to our house!

The morning after Solstice, Santa came to our house (he is a very accommodating guy.) He brought each boy a Rody Pony!!

Unwrapping..

It's mine Pony!

Bounce, bounce, bounce...

Two happy kiddos
They even had to ride their ponies over to eat snacks for breakfas

Later in the week Santa Carol brought them this huge fire truck as well as a semi that holds their littler cars. Ah, things with wheels- always a hit here.

Sugar Village

This year, as we have done in many years past, we all got together and made little "gingerbread" houses out of graham crackers and candies and loads of powdered sugar frosting. It was great- everyone really got into it. James even built a house all by himself and then helped Nana build one as well as conitinually making encouraging remarks about how great all the rest of our were coming along. We made a big pot of curry for dinner and the kids had more sugar than I'd like to think about for dessert. and dinner actually. Note to self: next year serve a very kids friendly dinner before any visual sitings of house making supplies!

Click on either collage to get a closer view.

Polar Express Magic

Polar Express

On Wednesday night with kids snug in their PJ's we took the Polar Express out of Williams to the North Pole. When we got there we got to wave at Santa and Santa even got on the train with us (James was just sure this would not happen) and gave each child their own bell! The Chefs served hot cocoa and cookies and led us in Christmas carols- we even got a Polar Express song book. It was a magical evening. Click on the above photo to see the photo album.

Visiting Grandma Laurla

AT the end of this past week we went down to Tucson to visit Alissa's Grandma Laurla and her uncle Sheridan and his wife Linda. We stayed at Sheridan and Linda's.

On Friday morning we went over to Grandma Laurla's place. The assisted living community she lives at has an aviary inside where the boys loved watching the finches.

Leland show Grandma a special rock he had in his pocket.

All of us together. The place is really pretty with lots of natural light and a good feeling. Everyone who works there seems to know my grandma's name and where she might be at any given time.

That afternoon we went to the Desert Museum. I hadn't been there since I was a kid- it was great. This raccoon was everyone's favorite. He was so silly- jumping on his tail, playing with his toys and showing them off to us. He was playing with the kids too- traveling back and forth to whatever window they went in front of. James and Leland were laughing and laughing.

At the exit of the Desert Museum

We, of course, had to take a break to do some digging on the long drive back home. James was planting trees and putting (pretend, rock) signs at the base that said, "Do not touch."

While Papa is at a meeting...

We're across the street at the mining museum- lots of big diggers.

Snow fun!

The perfect size sled hill- made out of the mountain of shoveled snow.

Leland telling me he's getting ''some air'' on his hands.

We have our own snow mountain out front!

Fairy cakes

Grandma calls banana slices with peanut butter ''fairy cakes.'' Both the name and eating them with toothpicks make this simple snack a magical favorite.