A Super Christmas & New Year's Story

Picture with Santa - 2010

Callie says:

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Now that we're 48 hours into 2011, it's time to share how Cohen and I celebrated the season with the blogosphere. This was only my 2nd Christmas, but it's not hard to figure out what the season is all about; family, friends, and lots of fun!

Cohen tried to look like a tough guy this Christmas

Just the first of many Christmas gatherings

I tried telling Mommy that I didn't need help

A cool new picnic table from Grandpa and Grandma

Wrestling with Molly Molly

Playing with Cohen's computer while he wasn't looking

As is our family's tradition, we actually celebrated our first Christmas with Grandpa and Grandma a few days before Christmas due to travel reasons, etc. "Christmas on Kenwanda" always plays out fun because I have lots of aunties that spoil me (talk boys, do my hair), because it's funny to watch Cohen play with Molly, and because I love Grandpa and Grandma (duh).

After spending the night at Grandpa and Grandma's that night, we finally had a chance to make our 2nd annual trip to see Santa in Seattle. The routine involves visiting the Seattle Center, taking the monorail to Westlake, and seeing THE Santa at Nordstrom, although mommy and daddy had Cohen convinced this year that the monorail was actually the Polar Express. I beleived them at first, but when they didn't serve hot chocolate, I knew it was a sham.

Cohen in front of "the rocket"

We almost missed the train because the kid is so photo happy

He yelled "All Aboard!" at least 12 times

Seriously, at least 12 times!

The wait got a little long - does it show on my face?

He was super excited until it was our turn..

Santa is great! Did you know he gives out candy canes?

Well that was fun! Time to shop?

Cohen was pretty excited to ride the train again

Ok, so maybe the morning was a little tiring?

Once Santa knew that Cohen wanted a Toy Story 3 train, a garbage truck, and a 2 rockets for Buzz Lightyear, and that I wanted a Princess Castle, it was finally time to relax and enjoy the season. Of course, that means different things to different people. To daddy, it means making the outside of our house glow in different colors. Weird, right? To mommy, that means bringing a live tree into the house, lighting it up and hanging candy and knick knacks on it. Also weird, right? I guess they are quite the pair. In all honesty, I grew quite fond of the christmas decor and never ending Christmas movies and cartoons.

Dad's first year of Griswolding meant only 3288 lights

He claims there will be at least double that next year

The tree (with almost as many presents as lights)

I got a car for Christmas!!! Just kidding

"Hey Cohen - I'm gonna stand on your present!"

"Told ya"

I don't remember the toy, but the kayak-box is cool

Auntie She-She, I really expected a faster ride..

I got a scooter! Don't tell Cohen, he thinks it's his

The 3 days of Christmas between the 23rd and the 25th proved to be just as much fun as our first christmas a few days earlier. The first night, we had Mimi and Papa, Emma and Eden, and Brooklynn all come over with their parents for Great Grandma Nancy's traditional Lasagna and Shrimp (items prepared separately) dinner, plus we got to decorate cookies and play ping pong on the table that Auntie She-She got for mommy.

On the 24th, we tried something new and stayed home, which is a stark contrast from previous years travel. Grammy and Auntie She-She came over and we played, opened some presents, and made sure the house was in tip-top shape for Santa Claus. Cohen even added sprinkles to the cookies AND the carrots for Santa's reindeer. Yummy!

Christmas morning was the best! After a quick stop on the stairs for a picture (mommy's new tradition idea), it was on like Donkey Kong. A quick peak around the living room showed a Toy Story 3 Train w/ Exploding Bridge for Cohen and a princess castle w/slide for me! We alternately opened presents and played with new toys while daddy blinded us with the camera flash. That's normal, right? After playing with Cohen's Buzz Lightyear spaceship and my toy kitchen, we went to Mimi and Papa's for even more Christmasing! It's hard to compete with christmas time with my cousins cause we get to play, then play some more, and then play a bit til bed! A special shout to Mimi and Papa for their Prime Rib, and especially the potatoes. There was 2 varieties of potatoes, and if you know me, you know that's kind of my thing!

Coming down the stairs on Christmas Morning

Cohen and his Toy Story 3 Train w/ Exploding Bridge!

My Princess Castle and slide!

It's so high!

A quick hug with Buddy the Elf before he went back to the N. Pole

Inspired by the festive ice skating at Rockefeller Center in New York, we decided to go Ice Skating prior to visiting Mimi and Papa for playing while the adults played cards. Unfortunately, the Bellingham IcePlex isn't quite as scenic or festive as Rockefeller Center, but it was still super fun. We met our friend Brady there, and Cohen and Brady decided to sport their Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin sweaters in honor of the next day's "NHL Winter Classic".

To our family out there, Cohen and I just have to say "we love you". You make us feel like the most special kids in the world all year round, and it just multiplies during the holidays. Thank you all for the gifts, the meals, the stories, and the love! Too sappy? Cohen made me write it - I swear!

Cohen and Brady or Sid and Alex?

Look-out NHL Scouts!

Happy New Year everyone!

Callie say's "Ho Ho Ho!"

Callie with her serious "Mommy/Papa" face

Cohen says:

I've always felt kind of guilty that Callie doesn't get the bulk of the picture space in this blog since she's kind of a cutie, so I figured I'd throw out some recent pictures, mostly of her. The highlight of this is the following video which was taken at Michael's (a craft store) last week. It's pretty common knowledge that when you spend an hour at Michael's, you've gotta get creative with your entertainment. Callie chose the "run laps around the store" method.

We'll keep this update simple and limit it mostly to pictures and the video since there's so much good holiday stuff going on this weekend. Have a great weekend everyone!

Video: Callie entertaining large crowds of people

Callie and grandpa, both with hammers, replacing a door

A pretend race car? Also, did you know "race car" is a palindrome?

Little Miss Callie climbing a slide

I want a pony!

Callie didn't quite make it all the way up

All that sliding is exhausting!


Me and Brooklynn at Chuck E Cheese for her birthday

It ate our tokens!

Christmas Trees and Stuff

Friends!

Cohen says:

Ho Ho Ho! Merrrr-y Christmas! No seriously, I say that all the time. It's kind of my thing. But seriously, happy holidays! I've been trying to get daddy to upload pictures for a blog for weeks now. Let's just say that he now knows that he might wake up with a horse head in his bed if his part in this blog series isn't a little more timely. Enough said?

Hold my hand, Co-coooo?

Just a boy walking down the road of life..

What's new you ask? Well, as you might have deduced from the pictures above, we got our christmas tree the other day. Since the weekends have been mighty busy, we decided to challenge the rainstorms this week and head out into the country after work. We lost. Well, daddy lost mostly. After about 45 minutes of ugly trees (no, not the "did you fall out of the ugly tree" kind), we found OUR tree and at exactly the same time, the rain found us. Mommy, Callie and I ran back to the car while daddy chop chop CHOPPED down the tree and got in the car during an El Nino (or is it La Nina) monsoon. I thought it was funny.

I got offered a football scholarship for the class of 2025

Does this Chris Polk impersonation bring nightmares to you Coug fans?

What else is new? Lots of stuff I guess. We've got plenty of birthdays, camping/road trips, and general sillyness from some upcoming Belated Blog posts, so this update will mostly be about the last week. I thought that the Apple Cup might be worth an update all of it's own, but I'll take the high road and just say "Go Huksies! Go Jake Yocker!" Anyone wanna take me to San Diego for the Holiday Bowl? I'm potty-trained (mostly...)

Family Picture!

The Dillon Lineage

Me and "my girls". They apparently don't watch America's Next Top Model

Last night, we went to Emma and Eden's (also know as "my girls) Christmas program at school. Their class did a Christmas tree theme with music and poems. It was really cool!

After that, we went to Mimi and Papa's house for dinner and for some classic old timey christmas pictures. I must say they turned out great, even if I was the only one fashionable enough to wear velvet pants. Yes, velvet! Sidenote: don't pee your pants when wearing velvet.

SNOW SNOW SNOW SNOW SNOW!

I wasn't gonna wait for the snow to accumulate

Last but not least, it obviously snowed a bit in the last few weeks. I, of course, have seen snow and was very calm and mature about it, but Callie hadn't seen it before and she was giddy and impatient. Don't let mommy and daddy (or the pictures in this blog) tell you otherwise.

As I said, Daddy got an ultimatum, so while this is all we have for this update, there better darn well be more coming. Take that to the bank. Granted, I'm not sure what the bank will do with that information - probably look at you weird. Merry Christmas!

Callie modeling her snow vest

Callie's first snow

Dad's a Regular Tim Taylor

After: Sunday at 2:04 AM

Korey says:

That's right, Cohen and Callie actually gave an outsider some editorial access to their blog, although I suspect their was an alterior motive. Earlier today, I was telling Cohen that since we've taken on so many home improvement projects lately that I should probably start a blog or something and hope it gets picked up for a tv show on HGTV or DIY or something. Well, he mumbled something about "taking one for the team" and told me that I could just use their blog to share some updates. Nice kid.

Today, Erin and I started a project that has been in the making since the day we moved in. We put a lot of things before it for many different reasons, but couldn't delay any longer. Hence, the kitchen makeover.

Day 1 (although it's ending 2 hours into Day 2) consisted of lots of cleaning, sanding, and priming as you can see in the "after" picture up above. It also consisted of routing out the cabinet panels and prepping for new ones that Erin likes better.

If anyone is wondering why this work is just finishing up after 2 am, then clearly you either don't have small children, or once did and completely forgot what it was like. Sleepy time makes for good worky time. Also, it makes for good sleepy time. Dang.

Silly blog update? Maybe, but we're having fun, and even after just 1 day it feels a lot different. Still to come: Cabinet Door resurfacing, painting, new flooring, and a lack of sleep.

Before: Saturday at 10:30 AM

A PumpSkelFerryCamp Blog

Look familiar? Check out the 10/20/2009 post!

Cohen says:

Fall is here! Not only does that mean cooler temperatures for my sweaty self, but also the holiday trifecta of Halloween/Thanksgiving/Christmas. Surprised that I didn't include my birthday? Actually, I am too. I suppose "fourfecta" has a nice ring to it.

So much to do..where to start??

Where'd the train go?!

Uhh...the cow is taking the picture..

Last weekend, we decided that our house was pumpkin-less long enough so we loaded up the car with Auntie Angie, Uncle Ka--arl, soon-to-be pop star Brooklynn, and headed up to the great white north to meet Grammy and Auntie She-She at Stoney Ridge Farms in Everson, Wa. This is the same place we went last year, so you can rest assured that not only was I excited for the farm animals and the delicious apples, I also remembered mommy and daddy's promise that I could ride the train this year!

I'm the next Danica Patrick! Wait..what?

Look Uncle Korey! 9 more rides and I get the 10th free!

Lookin' tough..

The train-ride was obviously the highlight of my trip to the pumpkin patch, with the apples coming in a close second. I also found the biggest pumpkin I could possibly find for Daddy to carry. He's such a sucker.

Also, it's worth pointing out that there's a pretty cool Donkey at the farm too. I kid you not, when I said hi to him, he told me that in the morning, he was making waffles. I think he's just trying to grasp on to some of the fame of THE Donkey from the Shrek series. Poor donkey.

Taking the hay-ride to the pumpkin field

Callie all snuggled-in

Apples!

As it turned out, Saturday was not only our Pumpkin Patch day, but also Emma and Eden's 3rd Birthday party. Since we were already in the north end, it was a pretty quick little trip over to the Fun Zone (aka bouncey house place) for some cake and jumping. In all honesty, that stretch of time is all a blur of sugar, frosting, and inflated nylon - SO FUN! Happy Birthday to my sweet girly cousins.

Callie likes apples too!

The family (Callie is backwards)

On Sunday, we had one of the most ridiculous driving days of all-time, but it was totally worth it for the events involved. First, mommy's friend Karen (I call her Auntie Karen of course) got married in the border town of Sumas. If you haven't been there - check it on a map. It's the border. From there, we headed to Grandpa's house in Snohomish to celebrate Auntie Tum-Tum's engagement to soon-to-be Uncle Jon. Congrats guys! I know that the event was pretty formal, but I really felt the best way to share my excitement was to press the fire/police alarm on the pad. Sorry about the sirens!

Birthday party and Husky Football Saturday!

Callie LOVES the bouncey house!

Fast forward to this most recent weekend, and the events were equally exciting although slightly more unorthodox. To start, we decided to join Mimi and Papa who were camping at Deception Pass, so after daddy got done with work on Friday, we loaded up the car and headed out there. Papa's bus (Recreational Vehicle) is plenty warm, and we had a great camp fire, so the cold weather wasn't too much of an issue. The unorthodox part was more involved where daddy decided it would be fun to sleep in a tent while the temperatures dipped into the low 30's. Yeah. Exactly. I'm saving for a trailer of my own now.

Callie says " PULL MY WAGON!!!!"

Fine, I GUESS he can ride with me

Callie and Papa - she gnaws like a squirrel

After a cold but fun 24 hours camping, including watching some silly squirrels throw pinecones out of the trees at papa's dog, Roxy, we had a schedule to keep. We were headed to Bob's Corn in Snohomish for more pumpkin patch / corn maze related activities. Since there were two equidistant ways to go, daddy thought it would be fun to drive down across Whidbey Island and take the Mukilteo ferry. Unfortunately, that decision in itself meant that we would never actually make it to Bob's Corn in Snohomish, nor would we make it across the water until about 3 hours later than planned.

Callie being silly while waiting for the ferry

Well this is just scary...

I make driving look GOOD

Not only did we show up to the ferry dock expecting to drive right-on and run into a 90 minute wait, we later found out that the whole thing was caused by a boat that was out of service as of about the time we go there, which caused our wait to be almost 3 hours. I was pretty insistent that Grandpa should come fix the green boat with his toolbox, but mommy and daddy told me that he was better with planes than boats.

On the bright side, the combination of Callie and I watching DVD's while waiting plus playing with the cars lights etc didnt cause the cars battery to die or anything. Daddy will tell you that this did happen, and that we had to scramble to get it jump started 2-3 minutes before the boat loaded, but, I dunno, I don't remember it that way =). Either way - I'm sure we'll have more adventures that rival these ones, so stay tuned!

Cutest Skeletons Ever!

You can't see me!