Christmas

When we got home from Shasta we had a whirlwind of Christmas activity to get ready for the big day.  It was Christmas Eve, so we were not sure how nice of a tree we would fine.  We were surprised to find the perfect tree! O picked it out and we had lots of fun decorating it.

Getting ready to put the star on.

Tom and O also set up the train under the tree.  He was so excited about the train, and we all had endless fun running the train and flashing the lights.

The conductor.

Of course we also needed cookies for Santa, and since we were gone the full week before Christmas, that was a Christmas Eve activity too.  We made and decorated gingerbread cookies.  Right before bed, O dictated a note to Santa, put the veggies outside for the reindeer and went to bed very excited.

Ready for Santa

 He was so much fun on Christmas Day.  I did not take too many pictures because I was having such a great time just enjoying him and his excitement.  Santa left his special toys that he asked for in the tent...

"Yay!  My headlamp!"

Overall, it was a wonderful Christmas.  O was so excited all day, I don't think he ever changed out of his pajamas. He played and played and played with his new airplane set, sat in the tent with his headlamp, practiced waving goodbye with the waving goodbye flag, and filled up his new wallet with all kids of goodies.

Thank you to everyone who sent wonderful gifts and made the day special for all three of us.

Shasta Vacation

In the middle of December we spent about a week at Shasta Lake, just south of Mount Shasta.  We met up with Adam and his family to spend some pre-Christmas time together.  It was a wonderful and relaxing week.  The kids all had a great time together and go along really well; which is impressive for four kids between the ages of three and half and six.

The house was perfect for the eight of us.  We mostly stayed around the house with a few fun adventures sprinkled in.

The view from our house.

Mount Shasta

We arrived a day before Adam and crew, so we drove up towards Mount Shasta in search of snow and adventure.  We found this interesting hotel where you can stay in old train cars.  Unfortunately, the restaurant was not open for lunch, but we still had fun exploring the trains.

Olin the Conductor

"All aboard!"

 We found a little bit of leftover snow.  It wasn't much, but it was enough for a couple of snow balls and a tiny little snowman.

Our big outing during the week was to Shasta Caverns.  The trip consists of a hike down to the boat, a boat ride across the lake, a (kind of scary) bus ride up the mountain to the cavern entrance, and a tour of the limestone caverns.  I loved it, because I love all caves.  The kids all got to drive the boat for a turn and had plenty of questions for the guide.

There was also a fun playground at the caverns, which the kids probably liked more than the caves.

Olin driving his ship with the Gryff the helmsman...

The tree - decorated with homemade snowflakes.

We spend a lot of time in the hot tub - it definitely kept the kids occupied and happy.  Who could complain about soaking and taking in the view!

Singing!

Friday was the Christmas program at Olin's school.  The kids have been practicing for weeks and it showed.  I am impressed that the teachers are able to get three year olds to sing together.  They were so cute!

 Here is a video of one song, the others are too big for me to load onto the blog.  He did great!

"S-A-N-T-A"

After the singing program, the kids all got to sit on Santa's lap.  This was the third, and probably last, time he saw Santa within a week!  I am pretty sure the he will get the headlamp and the wallet he asked Santa for...

This is the list on his classroom door of what everyone wants from Santa.  My son is very practical.

More Christmassy Fun

We have been busy with Christmas fun this week.  On Tuesday we went for a train ride with Santa on BNSF Railroad.  They host an event for military members.  It was an hour and a half train ride from Richmond on refurbished old passenger cars - we all had a great time, and we got to see Santa again.

The ASPEN Christmas party was last night.  Tom and I enjoyed the adult party, and Olin had a blast at the kid's party next door.

Later this afternoon is Olin's school Christmas show.  We can't wait to see him sing with all of this classmates.

The pictures from the photographer at the kids' party last weekend also came in.  He looks adorable, of course...

Santa Claus!

Yesterday we went to the Children's Party on Coast Guard Island.  O was so excited to see Santa.  He was just pulling up in his horse drawn carriage when we arrived, and O went running to him, very excited to tell him his wishes!

He sat nice on his lap and told Santa his two wishes (for a head lamp and a wallet) which Santa assured him he would deliver as long as O is a good boy.

They also had stuffed animals for all of the kids to chose from (he chose Rudolph) and several bounce houses, ornament making tables, card tables and snacks.

Making a snowman ornament with Dad.

Whee!

It was a fun afternoon, and a good kickoff to the season!

Still Here

We have been doing some fun things here in California, and of course, we had a great Thanksgiving.  

We had both the dinner I made:

And the dinner Olin made:

Both were delicious.

Olin also had his first-ever bowling experience.   It was a hit!

After Thanksgiving we also got out for a nice outing at a local park in the Oakland Hills.

Happy Halloween!!

We had a very fun Halloween today! This we definitely the most fun Halloween yet. O has been talking about it and building up to it for a few weeks, and the day finally arrived today. 

 He was very excited for his parade and party at school this afternoon.  The dragon costume fit perfect and was AMAZING!  Grandma did a wonderful job on it (of course).  Everyone, and I mean everyone, he saw today commented that it was the best costume they saw all day.  He was proud!

Heading out for the parade.

O with Miss Jennie

O was captivated by his own shadow in the costume.  He like how it was bigger than him, like he was growing.

After we got home, we headed out trick or treating for his first time.  We hit some neighbor's houses and some businesses near the house.  He had so much fun!  We all did.  I was skeptical that he might still be too young, but I was 100% wrong, and I am so glad that we went out.

Heading out.

Long trip up the steps

Along the way, he would stop every once in a while to "count" his candy.  Every time, he counted... one, two, three, four, five!  

Checking out the stash.

He got pretty tired near the end, but still was having a blast.  We heard "one more house" at least five times.

When we got back home, he set right to sorting the candy to check out his haul.  After piece by piece sorting, he ended up with about 20 pieces of candy he "likes" and one "yucky thing" (a lollipop).  Not surprisingly, chocolate is his favorite.  He even got to eat a Reese's cup tonight.

Fun, fun, fun Halloween!

I was remiss in the original Halloween posting - Nan is here!  She arrived Wed afternoon, and had a blast with O yesterday too!