Chirstmas in WI Part 3

Christmas is one word: FIRETRUCK. Nickolas received lots and lots of firetruck-related gifts: Fireman Sam dvds and t-shirt, actual trucks, puzzles, books. Even on Christmas morning (we opened our gifts on Christmas Eve), a firetruck drove past the house and the firemen waved to Nickolas in the window.

Our family portrait in stockings handmade by Grandma Julie over the years: Nickolas (note the gingerbread man holding a firetruck), Dan the Snow Man, Lucy the angel made with material her baptism gown was made from (and Great-grandma Felicia's wedding dress), and Aimee, the snow flake.

Santa came!

Firetruck (covering up my Fireman Sam tshirt)!

The gift of Persian stamps with Lucy so gracefully balancing from Dan's legs.

Hi Uncle Brian, have a bow.

Winter Olympic year = Olympic Christmas. GO USA (decked out in Ralph Lauren)!

Uncles watching nephew and niece open gifts.

Nickolas having fun with Lucy's toy.

Grandpa, can we borrow our gift to you that for the game?

A feverish Lucy on Christmas enjoying Uncle David's warm chest.

And, another firetruck.

Christmas in WI Part 1 - GREEN BAY PACKERS and sledding

Dan went to Lambeau Field for the first time! Thanks Brian, for driving us up to the Green Bay for the game and for Grandma and Grandpa for watching the wee ones. And, thanks Grandma and Grandpa for the sleds!







First time sledding

Second time sledding -- with Ski jumper Karla Keck! Nickolas fell asleep on the way to the hill, so we had to drag him up in the sled. Poor guy woke up on the top not knowing what was going on. He recovered quickly and had great fun catching some jumps and speed.

Passed out.

I insist on pushing you.

Weeeee! Now, THIS is how it's done! Karla, I can't wait 'til we hit the jumps in Steamboat, Colorado!

Christmas in WI Part 2

Nickolas and Lucy had two fun weeks in Wisconsin for Christmas and New Years. Poor Lucy caught her first bug while there but bounced back after several days. Grandma (maw maw) Julie did an amazing job decorating, cooking and being on-call for 4:00am visits to Nickolas while Grandpa (paw paw) enjoyed feeding Nickolas cookies and juice for breakfast, taking him to his man cave to play race car games and to watch firetrucks. Thank you Grandma and Grandpa for a lovely Christmas and for letting us completely wear you out!

Crawling race.

Lucy on just one of dozens of occasions re-decorating the Christmas tree.

Mommy's attempt at a craft project decorating barrettes for Lucy hair now that her hair looks like that of a Highland Cow (Coo).

Grandma's real craft project entailing more than super glue making the newest addition to the stocking collection -- LUCY'S!

Nickolas with Paw Paw in his man cave playing hoops.

A fresh grandma on day 2 of the invasion of grandchildren visit.

Christmas in WI Part 4

While in Wisconsin, Grandma had a birthday on New Years Eve, so we all went out to celebrate. Uncle Brian took Nickolas to his first hockey game, which Nickolas loved, since one of his favorite cartoon characters (Caillou) plays hockey. We also had fun with Grandma at the Milwaukee Public Museum.

Nickolas making sure baby Jesus was (breast) fed by the angel.

Nickolas took great care of Penny while we watched her.

Grandma, I'm ready for your birthday dinner!

Time to go -- Happy Birthday!

At dinner.

Happy 62nd Birthday, Grandma Julie!

Enjoying the animal exhibits at the Milwaukee Public Museum.

Outside the Scottish House in the European Village.

The Streets of Old Milwaukee

HOCKEY!

Nickolas BEFORE the hockey game stuck at dinner and AFTER dinner once we arrived at the rink.

Hockey with Uncle Brian.

Nickolas enjoying the between-periods entertainment.

Lining up like little baby birds for some Gilles Frozen Custard.

The End!