Christmas on the Mesa

 

 

Talking about Christmas on January 16th seems like old news but I am still trying to make up for my technical difficulties a few weeks ago so bear with me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We didn’t originally plan to go to Colorado for the Christmas Holidays but severe weather in the Southwest froze us out of our original plan to explore more of Arizona, New Mexico and Southern Utah. So, on to my in-law’s house in Telluride, we went.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

above: Granny helps the boys decorate the tree.

 

Telluride sits in the San Juan mountains in southwestern Colorado. At this time of year, it is normally covered in several feet of snow, a perfect backdrop for a winter wonderland holiday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For months we had warned the Dudes that we had no idea where we would be spending Christmas. This thought left them a little uneasy – would Santa be able to find them? So, when we decided that we would be going to their Grandparents for Christmas, they were totally psyched. Spending Christmas in a snow covered log cabin in the mountains with family beats the heck out of spending it in an RV park with strangers. And, it provided much easier access for Santa’s sleigh.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Big Dude had only one thing on his Christmas list – an ITouch. The Lil’ Dude ditto’d his big Bro with the ITouch then added an IPad for good measure. He also asked for  $4 (don’t ask me where that came from) a Mario DS game and a pot of gold. He tends to think big.

 

above: Even the dogs (Travis, Sophie and Trace) were trying to be on their “best behavior” prior to Santa’s visit.

 

The Lil’ Dude decided to leave Santa a note instructing him to “sign back”. It was the Lil’ Dude’s plan to see “if Santa was real”. They also left milk and cookies for Santa and some baby carrots for the Reindeer. After that, we had a hard time talking them into going to bed.

 

 

 

below: The “loot” on Christmas morning.

below: They were all smiles after they saw their first present from Santa – ITouch!

 

 

left: Lego’s from  Amah (their other Grandmother) brought smiles too.

 

 

 

 

 

…..and kept them busy for part of the day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

………Viola!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 ……Some ranger vests to go with their ranger badges.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 …. a Jasper heart rock to go with his heart rock collection from Mom and Dad and a new ski hat from the Austin cousins.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   … a pyrite sphere from Mom and dad.

 

 

 

 

above: Even Sophie was happy on Christmas morning.

The joys of Christmas morning lasted well into the evening. Unfortunately, this lame photographer only captured a few brief moments. Sometimes, you just have to put the camera down. Oh, and the Lil’ Dude did get his pot of gold in the form of a pot with gold foil wrapped chocolate – Santa has a sense of humor too.

 

 

” One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas day.  Don’t clean it up too quickly.”  ~Andy Rooney