Local Tourists

After being "good," and reorganizing our house after Christmas, we decided to play the tourist and take a trek to Columbus, Indiana, just about an hour south of us, to visit the cute and quaint Zaharakos Ice Cream Parlor, which is decked out for Christmas every year. The kids ordered their homemade "green river" soda pop. We also refer to it as alien blood. 

Zaharakos has several antique player organs which were belting out joyous Christmas music while we ate. 

Visiting their soda fountain is like taking a step back in time.

Sundaes were a treat and very messy.

 

I loved this "Don't Care" flavor.  Nowadays we have Starbucks; at the turn of the century they had soda fountains.  It was fun to think about this part of long-ago culture.

Across from Zaharakos is an indoor playground (city park).  I think it's brilliant for a city with freezing temps every winter to offer such an amazing and expansive indoor park.  More cities here in the midwest should do this!

We decided to swing by the visitor's center and buy a map to take the architectural tour in Columbus.  Apparently this little town (less than 45,000 population) is number six in the nation for famous architecture.

The first stop was the Irwin-Miller mansion. 

 

Apparently, according to local legend, this is where corn flakes were invented.  Kevin thinks I'm crazy for buying into all this stuff hook, line, and sinker. :)

After our little jaunt to Columbus, we meet Kevin's parents for Christmas at the Zoo.  It was decent weather so half the city was there.  But we love it.  The lights are amazing. 

We enjoyed being tourists for a day!

 

Tree Farm Bliss

Yes, I understand that it's twice the price as a Costco tree.  Although I try to be frugal in general, when it comes to Christmas trees, I'm not very pragmatic.   Kevin indulges this part of me.  (He's such a nice guy, I know!)  I just think that there are only so many years we will have with our kids, and going to a tree farm is a festive, joyful experience.  Going to Costco is something we do almost every week. There is nothing special or significant about going to Costco. 

Plus, the tree farm is fun!  And it smells like heaven!  Yes, I think that maybe heaven will smell like freshly cut pine trees, bonfires, and hot chocolate.  It's bliss, I tell you. 

We were at the tree farm for about three hours.  I think I smiled a really big smile the whole time I was there.  That extra money spent was worth it because it filled up my happiness bank.  Maybe sometimes you can buy happiness.  

Thanks for taking me, Kev!  We always joke that I'm your biggest kid and it's probably true ... 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The life and times of an absent blogger ...

Christmas happened, didn't it? Or I think it did. Maybe it was one of those dreams I had when I was getting a two hour nap. Two hour stretches of sleep is about all I got this time around, for nearly two months, since Carson had so many feeding issues. Folks, I have a new definition of "tired" now. No, make that "frantic with exhaustion." "Tired" is not an adequate description. But I think things are on the up-and-up because there appears to be a dim light ahead in this tunnel that I have been driving in.

Well, anyway, assuming I didn't dream it all ... my dad made these awesome wooden toys for the kids for Christmas. I love how each toy he made is just perfect for each child. It suits their personality to a T.

Clara got a gumball machine. It has a few quirks to operate it but Clara, our extreme-sugar-loving child, had it all figured out in about four seconds flat. I am happy to say that she very generously shares gumballs with both of her sisters, whenever she gets one for herself. Although, she is reticent to give them the green ones because green is her favorite.

 

Sophia got a wooden rocking horse for her dolls. She loves her dollies! This is an exact replica of the larger wooden rocking horse my sisters and I spent many hours rocking on as children. I love it! My dad sized down the pattern himself. I was very impressed!

 

Meredith got a wooden treasure box. She is the Queen of Collecting Stuff and thinks every single item (especially ones that her mom wants to throw away) is just the most special treasure.

 

Carson got this awesome personalized car, with his name and birth date on it. I'm sure he will play with it at some point but, right now, it is looking snazzy sitting on his night stand.

 

We enjoyed Aunt Megan, Uncle Kc, and the boys' visit from Dallas. Grant and Carson both shared their "First Christmas" together, even though they are nearly a year apart. Grant's birthday is December 29 and Carson's is December 2. Here they are on their first Christmas!

 

We got a ton of snow the day after Christmas. It was so fun. This California girl will always love the snow. Kevin took the kids sledding several times. We thought it was going to be a blizzard so we packed up and spent the night in Kevin's parents' basement so we could get snowed-in with cousins. I can't believe how crazy we are, to do that with a newborn. But it was fun, despite the fact that we didn't get snowed-in after all.

 

We hosted New Year's Eve this year and had so much fun learning to play "FUNO" a crazy version of the "UNO" card game, which Kc taught us. We also played some games with just the little kids that they thought was fun. It was a very memorable NYE. Here we are watching the ball drop in NY at midnight.

 

My parents came from Southern California. We had such a relaxing time together and really enjoyed their visit. I'm so glad that they got to spend time with the kids.

 

My dad is a ham and the kids love horsing around with him.

 

 

So, these are the things I remember about the last few weeks, thanks to the fact that I documented them with a camera! Life is busy, and fun, and I'm exhausted. But I wouldn't trade any minute of it. (Okay, I would trade in the sleepless nights. But that's about it.) ;)

Christmas and Our Gift Baby

Christmas Eve already? This month has been a blur. This year we let Sophia (nearly three years old) do much of the tree decorating. Mom and dad were simply tired from interrupted sleep and she was in her element, enjoying it all so much. In the end, Kevin helped redistribute some of the ornaments to the top of the tree. This year we don't have enough energy to care about perfection! Sophia's job is good enough and we are grateful that someone had tree trimming enthusiasm!

 

Many of the traditions went by the wayside this year but we did manage to make our tree trimming cookies.  

Carson had some worrisome weight gain issues for the first 2 1/2 weeks of his life. He showed weight loss at several follow-up doctor appointments. Finally we started giving him a bottle, which he loved. He has some tongue/sucking issues and this is what he needed to start gaining weight. He is doing well now and we are just grateful that he is healthy and we figured out the problem. We think he is pretty much the cutest thing ever and are enjoying loving on him!!
 

December is a fun month to have a baby. As people around the world exchange gifts, I am reminded that there is no material thing that compares to the gift of a child. We are so grateful for little Carson and so glad he is a part of our family.
   

Winter-in-general is a fun time to have a baby because you can just snuggle up on the couch and enjoy some cuddle time, while the cold wind whips around outside. You are warm and cozy with your newborn. And it is wonderful.
   

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!

 

Back from the Back Burner

Oh, yes. That's right. I have a blog.

We have been busy hosting adult gatherings and kid gatherings ...

 

 

 

Of course, there was Christmas Day ...

 

And then, best of all, daddy took a week off work and we did absolutely nothing structured at all for a whole week (although, I am paying for it now because starting the semester has been painful). We do love goofing off with daddy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

And here is my husband who decided to try to fix the computer and then, when he realized we would be better off replacing it, decided to take the hard drive from the old computer and insert into the new computer so we could have both hard drives. After looking at a few websites and making a few calls to his dad, the job was done. He is good at everything he puts his hands too. And he cracks me up.

 

We really enjoyed all the Christmas activities, and then having some lazy down time. But we are also glad to be back doing the same ol' routines ... school, gymnastics, AWANAs, etc., etc. Life is busy but good.