We left Colorado on Saturday, December 15 for Virginia. It was snowing when we left and it sounds like it continued for a good amount of time while we were gone. We stopped in St. Louis to visit Stan's friend Andy, Laura and their kids, Drew, Luke and Chloe. Casey and Garrett enjoyed getting out of the car for a few hours to play with all their cool toys.
We made it to Marcy, Stuart, Lily and Jack's house in Maryland on Monday late afternoon. Grandma Gail, Grampa Tom, and Aunt Kelly came over to welcome us to town. We stayed a couple nights at Marcy's, then the rest of the week at Grandma Gail and Grampa Tom's house.
Garrett spent his time walking all around the house. He is not very interested in sitting and playing, he stops to pick something up or bug his sister or tries to touch something he's not supposed to and then moves on. Casey on the other hand, plays non-stop with the Cabbage Patch kids, Barbies, the dollhouses and just about everything else she could find.
Wedensday we went out to Charles Town, WV to visit with Jessica, Craig and their kids, Hunter, Jacob and Maddie. Casey warmed up to them real quick this time and had a blast playing with them. By the end of the night, she was chasing the boys around with the play vacuum cleaner.
Thursday, Grampa, Stan, Casey and I took Garrett to the Barber to get his first haircut. He got his first lollipop to enjoy during the cut. He was VERY good, check out the video below.
Friday night, we went into DC to visit my friend Dyani, Frank and their kids, Harper and new baby, Lila. My friend Ketsia made a surprise visit too. The kids had fun playing with all of Harper and Lila's cool toys and cars.
Mike, Jeanne, Alli and Davis arrived Saturday morning. We all headed to downtown DC to the American Indian Museum and the Air and Space Museum.
Sunday, we celebrated Christmas with everyone. Garrett got his own chair so he is VERY excited, he snuggled right in...I think Casey is excited that she doesn't have to share hers anymore. After opening presents, we made Christmas cookies, then made our way to Roanoke, to Gramma Lois' house.
Lisa, Ashlynne, Morganne and Max came up from Miami. We spent Christmas Eve at Aunt Linda and Uncle Marvin's with Blair, Chad, Grayson and Everett, in town from Ithaca. The kids had a blast running around the house! The ages are 10 months, 1, 3, 4, 5, 8 and 12 and they all played really well together. Even Everett and Garrett sat near each other, looked at each other a little and played.
Christmas morning was all it was cracked up to be. Casey peeked out into the sun room and yelled, "My Barbie Dreamhouse, My Barbie Dreamhouse...Look, I got a Barbie Dreamhouse!" Garrett played with as many toys as he was allowed to get his hands on, while walking around the house non-stop. Christmas and the day after Christmas was spent playing with all the new toys, including a new cash register and Littlest Pet Shop playhouse. She also got a dress up Minnie Mouse, a potty, training pants and accessories for her American Girl doll, Julie, beads to make necklaces, a Flatsy doll, Madison, a doll that walks by herself and lots more! She is going to be busy this year.
We got the kids out of the house today and went out to lunch at Macados and then bowling.
We couldn't figure out why Garrett hasn't been eating very good the past couple of weeks, until I looked into his mouth and found a lower left molar that came in, and upper right that is peeking through and the other 2 are lumps under the gum. He is not whining, just not eating a whole lot.
Casey and Garrett had SO much fun with all their cousins and Grandparents. I think they are going to miss all the attention, so come visit soon. Thank you for all of our presents and for everyone's hospitality...we had a great trip!
Casey and Garrett wish everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year!!
Casey walking like a crab at tumbling
starting early
Halloween for Christmas...Dillon (Iron Man), Casey (Rapunzel), Connor (Capt America)
a little snuggle after a long day at the mall
babysitter?
princess t-baller
showing off their new haircuts
i am so warm in my new sweater from Peru...thanks aunt kel
cheese
new christmas pjs
showing off the new "barbie" dreamhouse
babysitter?
it's snowed in Ronaoke...these Miami kids were so excited
Grandma Gail and Grandpa Tom came into town for a visit. They drove all the way from VA, arriving on Nov. 29th.
Even with the lack of snow, Casey showed Grandma and Grandpa how she can shred the mountain. Friday, Casey was so excited to ski with Grandma and Grandpa, she didn't whine at all. She even treated us to a cup of hot chocolate on Friday (after a ski patrol came to chat with her and gave her free coupons to Starbucks).
Unfortunately, Stan is injured again. He tore his calf muscle playing basketball on Tuesday, so he and Garrett have been spending a lot of quality time together. They did meet us at Keystone on Saturday night to see Santa and to grab a bite to eat.
Sunday, we took a ride on the Georgetown Santa Train. Casey and Garrett got to tell Santa and Mrs. Claus how good they have been this year.
Monday we skied again at Keystone then decorated Christmas cookies.
Tuesday, we headed to Breckenridge for dinner at Fatty's.
Grandma and
Grandpa left on Wednesday.
Thursday was
the annual Dillon Christmas Party, where Garrett and Casey got to see
Santa for a 3rd time in 1 week.
Friday, our friend Jay
flew into town from VA for the weekend. That evening, I took Casey to Denver to see Disney on Ice: Dare to Dream.
We met Sarah and Kaelin at the Aquarium for dinner and got to see the
mermaids swim in the big aquarium. Casey favorite part of the ice show
was Rapunzel and at the end when all the princesses came out. At one
point Casey asked, "Are those real people out there?" She seemed to have
fun, enjoyed a snow cone in her new Rapunzel cup, was completely
exhausted and fell asleep immediately when we left the show.
Saturday,
I went snowboarding in the morning with Kristi while the kids and
Stan took Jay on a tour of Summit County. Jay and Stan went to Copper
later in the afternoon to watch VT basketball and see Super Diamond. The kids and I decided to stay at home, out of the
single digit temps.
Sunday, Jay and I went skiing at Keystone. He hadn't
been in 20 years, but it was like riding a bike! Jay left on Monday.
The kids and I went to the library in the morning and then made Chex mix
and cookies in the afternoon.
It snowed all weekend! Our yard is covered and the temps
have stayed in the 20's this week, so I think it's going to stick
around.
Casey and Garrett want to wish their Uncle Dave (Dec 2), Cousin Jack (Dec 7) and Cousin Ashlynne (Dec 9) Happy Birthdays!!!
