Christmas Traditions

We were able to celebrate another fabulous Christmas season together as a family, continuing to build lots of fun-filled memories and traditions.  One tradition we continued this year, is visiting Zoolights.  Henry LOVES Christmas lights (and so does his Mama!) and the elephant ear that we shared was scrumptious!

Another tradition is spending Christmas Eve with the extended family.  Cousin Madison was such a sweetie to get down on the floor and play with Henry.  Moments like this give me hope in humanity and simply warms my heart.  I love spending good quality time with family.  Thank you Uncle Mike and Aunt Sondi for hosting this year!

I think the biggest hit this year, in the gift giving realm, was Playdoh.  Rumor has it that Cousin Stella picked this out special for Henry.  She hit the jackpot with this one.  He is OBSESSED with Playdoh now.  Seriously.  O.B.S.E.S.S.E.D.  It has consumed his every thought and desire for the last 48 hours, since I finally let him open the box and discover the fun inside.  I'm thrilled that Henry likes this sort of "old fashioned" kind of play.  In a world full of electronic madness, I love that "dough" and some imagination bring so much joy to my Little Man.

By way of other traditions, Henry "helped" me bake Christmas cookies (4 different varieties) to share with our neighbors.  We had confectioners sugar from ears to toes and every corner of my kitchen.  We had a blast!  I even made thumbprint cookies with my new chokecherry jam my friend Linsay sent to me from Montana.  Delicious!  Thanks Linsay!

We donated big bags of board games to Toy n' Joy like we usually do (and Henry didn't throw a fit that they weren't for him).  Speaking of board games, Henry and Mama started playing board games recently (Candy Land, Hi Ho Cherrie-O and Go Fishing), which is a hoot.  He doesn't exactly cheat, but he does like to make up his own rules.  Winning doesn't seem to be all that important to him yet and he (surprisingly) is willing to take turns. 

Santa of course came as anticipated on Christmas Eve and brought exactly what Henry asked for (Rocky and Jack, two Thomas the Train trains).  Henry refused to sit on Santa's lap for the second year in a row, but he agreed to at least stand near him as long as Mama also came close, so we could get a picture.  I think he was in awe most of the visit (or perhaps in shock).  At the end of the visit he did give Santa a big smile and wished him "Merry Christmas.  Thank you!"

I have much to be grateful for this Christmas season.  Most of all, I am grateful for my family (immediate and extended) and that I got to spend time with them.  Our lives get so busy that we often don't get to spend much time together, but at the holidays we all seem to make the time to touch base, break bread, and enjoy each other.  Cheers to another wonderful Christmas!

Aloha Christmas

I have been absent for awhile, but for good reason.  We took a family vacation to Kauai, Hawaii!!!  Here are some highlights, in pictures.  ALOHA!!!

 Henry at Spouting Horn.  As he would wait for the waves to splash through the lava tube, he would tell me, "IT'S COMING MAMA, IT'S COMING SOON! WAIT!!!"

 One of my favorite aspects of the island are all the tropical flowers.  Here is me getting into the Aloha spirit.

 Henry is such a water baby.  He would stayed out here all day, everyday, if I would have let him.  I was worried about his pasty white complexion, but the SPF 60 waterproof sunscreen did the trick.  No sunburns!

 Henry loves to dig.  No exception here.

 Doing a little sightseeing, with garbage truck in tow.

 Family portrait while visiting Opaekaa Falls.

 I love that Santa has board shorts on in Old Koloa Town.  So did Henry.

 More digging!

 Henry likes Daddy to build "sand castles" so he can "stomp them down!"

 Visiting Waimea Canyon ("Grand Canyon of Hawaii").  Spectacular views!!!

 Henry liked the red coffee beans the best at Kauai Coffee plantation.

 RUN!!!  Lydgate Park is one of the coolest playgrounds I have ever been too.  Henry had a BLAST!

 Weeeeeeeee.  The big twisty tube slide was a big hit.

 "Higher, higher, higher!"

The local lifeguard was gracious and let Henry play with his ropes.  Henry kept trying to pull them, telling us all that "Henry's a strong boy!!!"  Much to his chagrin, the ropes didn't budge.

Getting a little sleepy.  All that sightseeing wears you out.

 Ryan paddled me up Wailua River on a kayaking trip.  Then we hiked to Secret Falls.  BEAUTIFUL!

 Daddy makes a great seat.

Visiting Kilauea Lighthouse. This is Henry's photo smile.  He was in no mood to pose. His expression cracks me up!

Taking the train at Kilohana, which is a working farm with over 80 species of edible plants.  It used to be a thriving sugarcane plantation, but farming sugarcane is not economical anymore on the island.  They have since moved on to hospitality and distilling rum.

 Henry loved feeding the goats at Kilohana. 

The beauty of Kauai is breathtaking.  I love it there.  I could totally get used to the island lifestyle, relaxed and casual.  Where no one is in a hurry, "stuff" isn't all that important, and family is everything.

Monkey Man

 This little dude is crazy and LOUD!!!

 Daddy and Henry playing at the park.

 Most recent selfie.

 That smile is deadly!  This one gets away with murder.

"Hiding" from Mommy.  And yes, there's that darn smile again!

Happy Halloween

In preparation for Halloween, we took a family trip to Lakeview Farms in Banks, Oregon.  What a fabulous pumpkin patch!  Four dollars gets you a train ride AND a boat ride, along with pumpkin hunting fun.

 Watching the boat come into the dock with Daddy.

"Mama, Henry wants this one!"  Henry only wanted a clean one.  Not a dirty one.  I kept telling him that all pumpkins are a little bit dirty because they grow in the dirt.  He was determined to find a "clean, lil one, for Henry."  Much to my surprise, he was actually pretty successful.

Henry LOVES trains.  It was definitely the  highlight of the trip. 

A couple days before Halloween, Henry decided it was time to make "funny faces...and one bat" on the pumpkins.  So much fun to create these traditions as a family.

Halloween wouldn't be complete without some trick-or-treating.  Henry had such a good time!  This year, he picked his own costume.  He insisted on being "Digger Man Henry" (aka construction worker).  Although it took him awhile before he got the hang of greeting people with "trick or treat," this proud Mama is happy to report he said "Thank you!" to every person who gave him candy (and the weirdo who gave out fruit leather...which, Henry loves fruit leather...but come on people, it's Halloween!!!).

Disneyland

Henry's first plane ride.  He was such a good sport. Mommy's anxiety about flying with a toddler was for none!

This was Henry's expression when I asked him if he was ready to go to Disneyland (for the first time) after we checked into our hotel room, attempted to take a nap (no luck...dummy Mommy...WAY too excitement to sleep), and got strapped into the stroller to walk to the park.

 First ride as a family.  Autopia.  Henry loves race cars.  This was a perfect first ride.

 Time to go flying in a space ship!

 Cousin Stella and Henry enjoying Winnie the Pooh ride.

 

Time to enjoy the ride with Cousin Mason.  Henry talked Mommy into riding this ride SIX times. 

 Dumbo was another one of Henry's favorite rides.  He smiled and giggled the entire time.

 Bumper cars were probably Henry's favorite ride.  In particular bumping into Daddy.

 Back to Autopia.  Henry is behind the wheel this time.  I think Mommy has whiplash after riding with him!  I see Drivers Education in his future. 

Are you seeing a common theme?  Henry LOVES, LOVES, LOVES cars.  Here, Henry got to thoroughly check out Goofy's rig.

 Checking out Chip and Dale's treehouse. 

 Tarzan's treehouse was even more fun!

 Nothing beats classic Mickey ears.

Except perhaps Tow Mater.  Henry's favorite movie is Cars.  His favorite movie in Cars is Tow Mater.  He was overjoyed to get to actually touch Tow Mater.

 Lines, lines, lines.  Making the most of it.  I love this little dude!

 Disney train.  Choo choo!!!

 Henry thought the caroesel was awesome, in particular because he could ride an otter (his favorite animal at the zoo). 

We had a FABULOUS time and made sooooo many great memories.

A MILLION THANKS to Grandma Sherry and Grandpa Keith for treating us to this amazing trip.  Happy 40th Wedding Anniversary!  What an awesome way to celebrate.  SERIOUSLY, thank you from the bottom of our hearts!!!  We had so much FUN!!!