Christmas in Colorado part 2

On Christmas Day, we trekked down to Colorado Springs for part 2 of our Christmas adventure.  The kids were a little disappointed to find that there was very little snow to play in.  They made due with this little patch in the shade of the house.

The babies and the big girls all enjoyed bathing in Grandma's new tub while we were there!  Now when Lucy sees a picture of Elliot, she says, "Elliot.  Bath with him."  It was really fun to watch these 2 interact.  They each thought the other was pretty funny. 

Unfortunately, Noah spent a good deal of time resting due to a tummy bug.  Thankfully, we had some fun moments with her when she was feeling ok.  Here we have the cousins on Tallon Christmas day, making the most of everyone in the house feeling pretty good - 

Post Christmas meal.  The girls had such a good time playing together.  Here they are w/ their stocking stuffer headlamps and goggles.  There is a zombie sneaking up behind them.  

For the second year in a row, we've had a warm, lovely day to hike in the Springs - in December!  

Lucy discovered a love for dried mango.

Lucy was more in to sliding down the rocks than sitting w/ the cousins for a pic.

"Mom!  Take a picture of me like this!"

Other activities in the Springs included playing games, watching movies, playing w/ Luke's old transformers, playing Batman Wii, getting to know Mr. Elliot, eating lots of treats, Noelle's birthday shopping date w/ Grandma (she got a robotic bunny that she LOVES), Isaiah's date w/ Granddad at the airplane restaurant, and trying to avoid spreading the stomach flu!  We headed out on the 30th and conquered the trip back in 1 day!!  It was our longest day of family driving ever, and truly, the kids were amazing.  The big kids hardly fussed or whined at all.  And it was only the last hour or two that was rough on Lucy.  She kept telling us that she wanted to "Sleep Lucy's bed!".  It was really nice to get home to our own house and not have to stop at a hotel, and Luke and I were so relieved to come back to our house finding that no disaster had struck it.  It was the first time we've left this big baby of ours!

It's good to be back and we are doing our best to get a few house projects done, get ready for the semester, plan for Noelle's 5th bday, and maybe I'll try to tackle the pile of laundry today.  This morning we are headed out for a little family fishing time.  Luke got all 3 kids fishing poles the other day and they are sure anxious to get out and use them!  Luke also got a fishing/hunting license, a fillet knife and a new pole (thanks for the xmas money, family), so we are ready to start living off the land and smoking our good things in his new smoker (thanks, mom and dad).