Ushering in Christmas

On November 20th, our family took a weekend trip to Big Cedar Lodge to ring in the Christmas season. We all loaded up and headed off for the best mini vacation evah!

As it turns out…the trip lived up to all of our hopes and wishes. It was incredible.

I even stayed buckled when we went over the bridge. I found solace in the fact that if we were going to “go down” – at least a hostess cupcake truck would go with us.

When we arrived we first checked out our cabin. The kids were ecstatic to explore and find their bedroom and bathroom.

My favorite part of our cabin was the beautifully decorated Christmas tree. It instantly put us in the mood for Christmas.

We then headed over to Devil’s Pool for a little lunch.

Bryce was nap deprived and amped up from finally being off the road…so he was NOT an angel at lunch. He was either taunting the “taxidermied” furry friends or smearing his greasy hands on the windows. He would intermittently chuck something at the other diners. Needless to say – he went on a “lobby visit” until the food was ready. This episode prompted us to order room service each night. :)

After lunch we headed to visit the bickie tree. I wiped it for good luck.

 

We went back to the cabin Tommy T built us a fire.

We tucked the kids in bed for a nap…

And then cuddled in front of the fire…enjoying the silence.

One of my favorite parts of the trip was slow dancing with Tom while the kids napped. We should dance more often. Love it.

We enjoyed the view from our deck…

 

And took a nap ourselves. I was awakened by a knock at the door. It was “the cookie lady”. Yes, the cookie lady. It seems she comes nightly – bearing a bag of fresh cookies. Nightly.

After eating half the bag, we woke the kids up to share the loot. Bryce was pleased.

We then headed out for a horse drawn wagon ride through the grounds. We waited in the clubhouse for the horses to arrive.

 

The kids played with Lincoln Logs while we waited.

 

It started sprinkling…but the kids were still in heaven. It was beautiful.

At the end of our ride we were taken to a campfire for S’mores, hot cocoa, and a little cowboy Christmas caroling.

They were all in sugar comas…

Tom bought one of the cowboy’s CD’s…he’s sweet like that.

We went back to the cabin – ordered room service for dinner (my kind of roughing it)…and were off to sleep.

The next morning I opened my eyes to see this…

I laid there awake…staring up at the beautiful stained glass until I could take it no longer and started taking pictures. The sound of the shutter awakened Tommy T. We decided that morning, while laying in bed, that this would be a place we would bring our children for years to come. We were in love with it.

We took the kids to The Worman House for breakfast.

This place has a fantastic view of the lake and wonderful food. All of Big Cedar has wonderful food :)

     

We went to visit the Ho-hees after breakfast.

   

We then went to the playground to burn off some breakfast.

    

While playing, Tom tried to seduce me with (in the words of Nacho Libre) his “stretchy pants”. Grrrrrrr.

Next on the list….Silver Dollar City.

Bradley was officially tall enough to ride his first roller coaster. He waited…fearfully. (see hands)

And his reaction:

There was hot cocoa…in a cup (on the right) on a shirt (on the left). Popcorn was his consolation prize.

 

 

While we were eating treats on a bench, I felt something hitting my head. I looked up to find… him. When he was finished he chucked his shell at Bryce. It was an overhand throw. Do Squirrels have rotator cuffs? I bet his name was Cecil.I love that name….Cecil. Say it just once. Cecil.

  

We went back to the cabin for another nap. The children needed their rest since they would be going on the Polar Express later that evening (later nicknamed The Hell Express).

We boarded.

The kids got to wear their jammies. They read the book over the speakers as chefs went through the car showing the kids the pictures.

It looks tame – but it wasn’t. A train full of kids amped up on cocoa and cookies…Christmas music on the speakers…loud children…loud, loud, children.

Some of the staff weren’t fans of children.

The conductor later sat with us and told me of his colonoscopy he had in our town. It was magical for the children.

Bryce thought he owned the place. I am sure this is against railroad regulations. He knew our butts weren’t going to fit back in there to get him.

  

When the ride was finally over (head pounding)…the kids went on a spastic rampage…running…jumping…shouting. It was close to 10 pm by that time. Wow. Hell Express is right. Luckily it was a roundtrip ticket.

See the video below for a small sampling.

There were no arguments at bedtime… but many arguments the following morning when we told them we had to go home. Until we meet again Big Cedar!

Things Got a Little More Complicated

Bradley went to a “Breakfast with Santa” on Saturday.

He sat on Santa’s lap and told him he wanted a jock strap.

Santa snickered and said, “What color would you like? Would you like a green one?”

“Yes”, Bradley answered shyly.

“Do you want it to sparkle and shine? Do you want sequins on it?”, he playfully bantered.

“Yes”, Bradley said with a grin.

He hopped off Santa’s lap…with a finger bashfully held in his mouth and said, “Mama…Santa’s going to bring me a green sparkly jockstrap for Christmas!”

Seriously. Somebody help me. Please. I will pay top dollar.

Nutcracker

It’s every little girl’s fantasy…and many Dad’s worst nightmare…

My friend Anne and I took our girls out for a mother-daughter afternoon date to see the Aspen Santa Fe Ballet Nutcracker.

First we took the ladies out to lunch…

And then walked across the street to the Arts Center. The day could not have been more gorgeous. It was unbelievable for December!

 

The girls were amped up before it started…but as soon as the curtain lifted – they were mesmerized into silence throughout the entire show.

The ballet was incredible. I have seen it numerous times- but never by this dance company. The costumes were bright and whimsical…the set was amazing…and the dancers were unbelievable.

Karah scored this ballerina crown and two Christmas tree ornaments and souvenirs.

  

She danced her way to the car…leaping. She continued to dance when we stopped for frozen custard on the way home.

 

It was an unforgettable afternoon. I love that girl. 

The Little Things

Indulge me a little sentimental goo for a moment....por favor.

I have been trying to be more conscious of the little things in life. It's amazing that the more aware I am...the more things I realize that I love in my life. They are little things...but take them away and life would feel empty. 

Today was the day I realized that I LOVE how the kids run crazy around the house as soon as the vacuum cleaner is turned on. Laps and laps and laps around the house. As soon as I turn it off...back to whatever they were doing.

Another little thing ...The kids were in the basement this evening watching a Christmas movie. I was in the mood to play some Christmas carols on the piano...and I instinctively knew that as soon as they heard it - they would be ditching the movie and running up the stairs to dance while I played. I timed it. Took 4 seconds until I heard the stampede. I love that music with their mom trumps "Santabuddies"...any day of the week.

And yet another little thing...hiding under the covers with the kids waiting for Daddy to come home from his trip. Fresh out of the bath...smelling their Johnson and Johnson tangle-free goodness under the covers. Whispers of "Shhhh...he's coming" coupled with outbursts of giggles as Bryce treats the huddling, covered clump like a mosh pit. 

Another...having Tom home after days of being gone. It's not having the extra set of hands to help me...it's seeing how my children come alive to an entirely different level when they are reunited with him. Hearing Bradley say, "I missed you Dad",  as I watch Bryce scale him like a rock wall....and seeing Karah light up as she received her "prize"....a pink pen that says "California". She will have no memories of the ocean whenever she looks at it - but she will know that her Daddy was thinking of her...even when he was 1,555.59 miles away.

I love smelling "travel" on him as I hugged him back home. A blend of re-circulated air, suitcase shirt, and rental car upholstery....textured with a touch of 34 degree 5 O'clock shadow.  Mmmmm! 

 

Shortly after coming home, Tom was called upon to go give a friend a blessing. We couldn't bare to let him out of our sight....so we loaded up in his truck....watched "One Republic" concert videos while we waited for him....and then each got a shake to enjoy as we drove around looking at Christmas lights. Hearing the kids yell "Bingo!" whenever they saw a house lit up...while listening to "Christmas Through the Years"... another little thing I love.

All of these thing are nothing big...they are actually quite small...but collectively? Collectively they amount to joy unmeasured in this beautiful life I am blessed to share with them.

It is true...."The Little Things Are The Big Things".  

If You Can’t Beat ‘em…Join ‘em

Week after week – Karah had waited for her class to be in charge of the “Rise and Shine” presentation. Her moment of glory finally arrived.

Her teacher had done mission work in Africa and had a few skirts and head wraps from her trip. Karah was chosen to wear one of them. She practiced her part every night until she had it memorized. She took it all very seriously.

The morning of her performance she was practicing her lines. In an effort to teach her better stage presence, I acted out her part…with much fervor (aka obnoxiousness).

“We share our food with one another!”, I began quoting as I enthusiastically acted out handing someone a plate and eating.

“Um…mom…they don’t eat food with that hand in Africa”, she said in “omg” African frustration.

“Why not?”, I asked in Western innocence.

“They use that hand for something else”, she said in embarrassment.

“Like what?”, I pressed.

“Like… wiping” she replied…staring at her feet (which was awkward and ironic since she was sitting on the toilet while we were having this conversation).

Public school is WAY beyond what it was back in the day. When I was in school, all I learned about Africa was that Rhinos are from the horse family and that Cheetah’s maul their prey if it’s a small catch…but if they catch something big – they go straight for the throat and block the windpipe until the animal stops breathing. 

That was then. Now…the kids know so much more! Even which hand people wipe with. Tax dollars working for us!!

During the performance, Karah was focused and listened intently…waiting for her turn. She was oblivious to the impatience which was growing around her…

 

…for awhile…until she could overlook it no longer. She was visibly ticked off that her classmates weren’t reverently waiting “in character”.

 

Her turn finally arrived. She had her part memorized – but still opted for the cheat sheet…just in case. She did a great job with her intonation! 

  

She then finished out the rest of the performance and decided…

If you can’t beat em….join em.

And yet another thing that has changed since I went to school…

Since when do teacher’s butt’s look good in jeans?? 

My teachers looked like this in their jeans…

I suppose that’s the purpose in wearing the Tigger and Pooh sweatshirt. It sends a clear message to the janitor and tray collector in the lunchroom.

“I am not a woman  during school hours…I am a teacher. Back off.”

Tigger has scared off many a man…even in Africa.