The Ward's Christmas Vacation

It started with a 14-hour drive. Seven hours to Buffalo on Thursday, December 22 and another seven hours on Friday, December 23. Finally, we arrived at Grandma and Grandpa Carlson's house. Shortly after we got there, Aunt Jenny, Uncle Tom, Ella, and Owen arrived. Clara was excited to see her cousin, Ella. Aunt Jenny, Uncle Tom, and especially Ella were excited to meet Charlie. Ella even told me, "He's even cuter than I thought he would be."

On Christmas Eve, Clara and Ella carefully picked out some cookies and milk for Santa and a few carrots for the reindeer. The kids hung their stockings by the fireplace and finally went to bed. Christmas morning was very exciting. Clara must have been a good girl, because Santa sure delivered this year! After we opened all the presents, we went to church. It was a special day because Charlie was baptised during the Christmas service. Grandma and Grandpa Ward were able to join us for the service and Christmas dinner that followed.

On Wednesday, we traveled to Grandma and Grandpa Ward's house. We opened more presents, made bird feeders with peanut butter and birdseed, went to the Curious Kids' Museum, and rode the carousel. We even went to a New Year's Eve party, but we left before 9. We were all in bed before midnight!

We ended our trip with a night at Great-Grandma and Great-Grandpa Ward's house in Ohio.  We ran into some snow on our drive home that slowed us down a bit, but the time we were able to spend with our family was well worth the drive.  

Here are some of the highlights from our trip.

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'Tis the Season

Last weekend, we got into the Christmas spirit by visiting Santa on Friday and getting our Christmas tree on Sunday.  Santa was downtown Concord Friday night. Clara was excited to meet him, but when it came time to be face to face, she chickened out and I had to go with her.  Santa was very nice and asked Clara what she wanted for Christmas.  She replied, "Baby dolls."  Then Santa asked what color hair the baby dolls should have.  Clara replied, "Pink."  I hope Santa's elves make dolls with pink hair!

On Sunday, we visited the local tree farm and searched far and wide for the perfect tree.  When we finally agreed on one, Clara helped Jared cut it down and drag it to the car.

Charlie is clearly excited for Christmas this year.  This is what he had to say about all the festive decorations.  We love his new expressions!

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Many Thanks!

We have so many things to be thankful for this year.  We were especially thankful to share the Thanksgiving weekend with Grandma and Grandpa Ward, Uncle Alex and Aunt Karin.

We woke up bright and early on Friday to make it to Walmart by 10:30 for some Black Friday deals.  Despite our late departure, we still got a good deal on a home theater receiver.

Friday afternoon, we watched Clara try her snowshoes for the first time this season.  She was a pro.

After snowshoeing, Clara and Grandma gave Charlie his first bottle.  He took it like a champ and will be ready for daycare in February.

We're looking forward to Christmas in Michigan with family!

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What We've Been Doing

Clara goes to daycare two days a week and spends the rest of her time with Charlie and me.  We've tried to keep busy doing some activities just for Clara.  Here's what Clara has been up to these past few weeks.

Spending time at the playground...

Practicing her photography skills...

Napping...

Hunting (unsuccessfully) for pheasant...

 Wasting some energy at the gymnasics club...

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Halloween - Take 2

Many towns postponed trick-or-treating because of the freak snow storm that knocked out power to many residents.  So, the week after Halloween, we went trick-or-treating for a second time with Clara's friend, Anna.  Clara was excited to dress up as Tinkerbell again and hang out with Rapunzel.

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