December - Can you believe it?

I don't recall a time when I actually posted a blog about a given month during that same month. I may fall out of my chair. It seems even crazier that the post is for the month of December. I am sure I should be cleaning, baking, crafting or something, but here I am typing.

Here are some photos from the first week of December. Since I won't be able to get cards out prior to Christmas, I hope this post will suffice. Happy Holidays!

This year we have a few new holiday traditions that I hope will continue into the future. First, we are reading a different Christmas book every day. We owned many, bought a few, and I got the rest from the library. Every day Logan gets to unwrap a new one to read. We have found some true treasures and discovered some for future years. There have also been a few duds. I will post about all of them after the holidays are over in case there are any mom readers who would benefit from a long list of Christmas books. A tip for next year. Get your books around Thanksgiving. They go quickly at the library.

Here is Logan opening his first book. I loved this book, but it may have been a little too much for Logan.

As for the 2nd tradition:  I made a felt tree for Logan to hang ornaments on. Each day we make a new ornament, mostly from craft kits that contain the ornament and stickers to go on it. Some days he is super excited to do his ornament and some days he isn't. Overall I think he likes the tree.

Here it is on our stair baby/cat gate.

On the 2nd of December, we went to Explora. I am actually quite surprised that I only took a few photos, but apparently I wasn't in a photo taking mood. Here are some shots of Logan enjoying this ball drop area for the first time.

How many balls can I play with at once?

That's right. I have a marble and a golf ball.

2nd book of the month was a new favorite: "Pete the Cat Saves Christmas."

Frik is almost always found here in the evenings.

Logan opened his 4th book with Grandma. Now you know that I did not take a daily book-opening picture.

To be honest, I don't recall if this was the first snow of the season, but it is the first that we played in. Well, Logan and Kyle played in it. I, as always, took photos and then quickly went back inside to be warm. As a child I spent endless hours out in the snow, but these days I prefer the warmth of indoors with coffee or cocoa in my hand.

Check out those cool clouds.

The snow was not good for making a snowman, but it made a fine mound.

Thanksgiving

We went to Alamogordo for Thanksgiving to see Kyle's side of the family. His two sisters and brother were all going to be there.

To start our trip, Kyle's brother Wynn and his family stopped by our house on their way from Nebraska down to Alamogordo. They waited patiently while I finished packing, and then we all headed down south together. We stopped at Buckhorn in San Antonio for green chile burgers. I didn't think the burgers were that great, but the owner did beat Bobby Flay in a throw down on Food Network.

Sunset on the way down.

When we are with the Wiens clan, two things typically happen: we play lots of games/cards and we all do active things together. This visit was no exception. Let the games begin.

Logan's Aunt Deneen, Uncle Wynn, Aunt Crystal and cousin Justin.

Cousin Chris and Cousin Trey

Let the physical activities begin. Here we went to a gym, late in the evening to play some basketball and run around.

Logan is organizing everyone.

Look at that kick!

Will someone please get open so I can throw the ball in?

Now for a game where you throw balls at targets along the opposing team's baseline. You can't pass the mid-point of the court. The goal is to move all bowls off the baseline first.  It's similar to dodge ball, but you are not throwing the balls at people. I think that was a smart move for this group. We have some seriously competitive people and lots of little ones.

Let the chaos begin. All that you see, minus one, are part of the Wiens clan.

I took Logan back to the house around 9 that night. He had such a great time, but was not happy to leave early.

Hanging out with cousin Trey.

Grandma Betty reading "One Little, Two Little, Three Little Pilgrims"

I loved this Thanksgiving book we got at the library. Logan loved it too since I sang it every time.

Day 2: More games.

Uncle Travis, Aunt Sharolyn, Uncle Wynn, Aunt Crystal

Uncle Travis, Aunt Sharolyn and Cousin Trey

Cousin Trey, 2nd Cousin Reece and 2nd Cousin Logan.

Here we all are. Too bad I couldn't come up with a better location for the photo. Oh well, a little squinting didn't kill us.

Uncle Wynn, Aunt Crystal, Cousin Justin and Cousin Adam.

He does smile, just not often in photos. So glad I captured one.

 Now that photos are over, let's play some more basketball.

 

 

You go Grandpa "Doody", as Logan calls you.

First scooter ride.

Logan said "Look at me now!"

We took a walk around the neighborhood, and Logan kept going up to the front doors. He didn't knock or anything. Just wanted to check them out. Perhaps he is practicing for Halloween.

Reece enjoying some quiet lego time.

 Bring out the iPad while everyone else plays games.

Look at those two Logans having a great time together.

The car ride home was not a pleasant one. Logan was downright angry to be in the car. We did manage to stop in Socorro for lunch at El Sombrero. Then we were home for a nice, quiet weekend to finish off the holiday. Kyle and Logan played in the back yard feeding the birds and exploring Logan's tent.

I got to share one of my favorite Christmas movies, "White Christmas", with Logan. He loved the dancing and singing.

We also managed to get our Christmas tree and put it up. The lights made it to the tree that weekend, but it took another week for the ornaments.