A post.

Where to begin... where to begin. Sorry, this post is going to be mundane due to its conciseness in report and longevity... in well length.

-Went on a train ride... (covered that)

-Spent a week with Grandma and Grandpa Ritter: cleaning, cooking, relaxing.  Kids woke up anxious every morning to watch Big Cats.  Fun times.

We went to Christmas Village. Raya hated it.  Horror Village would be a more accurate description to her.  

Incessant, "I can't like it.  No, I can't like it!" -- I love that she says "can't" like it is beyond her control whether she likes something or not.  It's inherent.  She couldn't like the horses, the dogs, the people, the little festive houses, the sheep ... and especially... the Grinch (which I can understand that one; looks like a flaming lunatic!) But I love how she pronounced Grinch .. it's "grin -- ch").  Huge emphasis on the "ch."  Anyways, Raya was terrified and I was doting on her syntax.

On the "hay" ride:

 Raya and Grandma went to the Suburban... she couldn't like the hay ride.

I did a lot of baking while visiting  -- it's nice cooking for people that actually eat and don't just pick at their food (ahem, my kids).  

Christmas morning, the kids helped uncle Todd distribute the gifts into piles for each person... and what piles they had!

 I'm just going to say it: I'm a cool mom.  Camelbak backpacks for Christmas --  along with street hockey equipment.  I'm so excited to go rollerblading with my kids this summer... (ok, I didn't make it very far and I'm going to retract my previous statement about being a "cool mom" to a "nerdy mom" -- but at least my kids thing I'm cool :))

Most used gift thus far after Christmas:

Raya: Her backpack from Grandma R. -- a bag is an invaluable resource for a two year old.

Levi: Bow and Arrow from Uncle Todd and Aunt Rachel (saldy, he has used it so much, only one arrow remains)

Seth: The Long Road to Gettsyburg by Jim Murphy from Jeff and myself. Yes, a history book. We've read all but three pages .. the concluding remarks... and now Seth wants another book by the same author about the Revolutionary War.  

 *beautiful dress worn by Raya courtesy of my mom*

Seth is 6!

 He i.n.s.i.s.t.e.d. we go bowling (like last year)... and informed us that we were going to go bowling again next year.  

Breakfast: Cheetah pancakes ... Special dinner: Spaghetti ... Cake: Cheetah of course .... Birthday shirt: Cheetah (shown above) with Seth's choice words "That's how I speed."

Seth, you're amazing and I love you.  It's as simple as that.

Some where in the chaos we celebrated another birthday and had New Years.  My birthday was a couple days ago... and well... we're celebrating this weekend.  So many celebrations! -- Oh, mine and Jeff's anniversary was mixed in there as well.

Last Saturday and Sunday we went hiking with the kids.  It felt so good to be outdoors! -- and the kids got to use their new back packs too :)