Sick days

Sick days have been logged at work and daycare this week, as the flu (or a version of it) has over-extended its welcome.  Colin's uneasy stomach has been on and off for a few days now but it seems to be on the mend. 

The positive side of being confined to the house for 48 hours straight?  The Christmas toys are all broken in!  One of the go-to items includes this letter monster from the Gilje's (handmade by Elizabeth).  The boy LOVES it! 



Proud of himself for spelling his name. Notice the "L"...

No sick day would be complete without a proper Lego building session.  We were pretty proud of our little village. 

Although I enjoyed the relaxing time off with my boy, here's to hoping the sick time balance can start to accrue again for a few months.  

Ice Skating

Colin, you again proved that you are a boy after your dad's heart.  You received hockey skates for Christmas from your grandma and grandpa and you've been wanting to use them ever since.  Any other January and I'd probably be writing about how we had to wait for the wind chill to be manageable before we could go outside and skate.  This year, however, we were waiting to see if any of the rinks in town were actually flooded!

We drove by the rink at Clara Barton on Sunday to find that there was indeed ice.  All day long you talked about ice skating after your nap (it's always ice skating, not just skating).  I wish I could put into words the pure excitement on your face when you got on that ice.  I hope it's something that continues with you throughout your life.  Your dad has some wonderful memories of playing hockey as a boy (although he wasn't so happy when he had to turn off Saturday morning cartoons in order to go to practice!) and he would love for you to have that opportunity.  If Sunday is any indication, I'd say you're hooked!    



This is prior to explaining that he needed to stand on his feet.
He was kind of a limp noodle.



Loving it!



Trying to get back up after chasing the puck on his hands & knees




Home, warming up with some hot chocolate



A little bit of this. A little bit of that. (Holiday-style)

Here we are, the second week into 2012!  And I have to say that we all thoroughly enjoyed our Christmas and New Year vacations this year.  Colin was so enjoyable the entire holiday season.  There was excitement and joy on his face whenever we plugged in the lights on the tree, moved Santa on our countdown calendar, or drove by the light displays in the park.  Add in that he would eagerly answer "Baby Jesus!" when asked whose birthday we celebrate at Christmas and it's enough to make me want to freeze him.  When does this naivety turn into reality? 

Now, a photo recap from the happenings over the holidays.  Be prepared for photo overload! 

We spent the Christmas weekend with the Holt side, skating on the river, opening presents, eating too much yummy food, and playing with new and old toys.

But first, we shoveled the driveway & sidewalks.
The first real snow of the winter!



Christmas Eve




Uncle Luke & Auntie Alexa



Santa left some good loot in CJ's stocking

Can you tell it was warm? Look at those cheeks!



Helping Grandma open her gifts



A John Deere tractor from Luke & Alexa



So excited for a new backpack!



Ice skates from Grandma & Grandpa

Santa brought a workshop



Christmas Day - playing with cousin Brynn




Picture time with cousin Helena


Next up was testing out the new workshop at home.

New Year's weekend brought a trip to Grandma and Grandpa Rau's.  We consumed even more yummy food and had fun opening presents and playing outside.



Passing the time in the car





Pizza party



Can you guess what I gave you, Grandpa?



No more messy fireplace ash clean-up



Colin's gift to Grandma



Ready for church

The end!