Just a Typical Neighborhood Stroll

Caroline, Ellie, and I have been in Anchorage visiting my parents for a couple weeks.  Apparently, Anchorage is having a down year as far as snow goes...there's hardly any snow with the streets completely dry, but it is still COLD!!

We went on a walk around the neighborhood and took about 20 minutes getting the girls ready to brave the elements.

They looked like those little marshmallow Peeps you get at Easter time.  Adorable Peeps, if I do say so myself!

It was gorgeous out on this day....

About 10 degrees, a gorgeous sunset...

...and an endless view of the Cook Inlet with the mountains in the background.

Gorgeous!

Our walk lasted about 25 minutes before we were all so frozen, despite our garb, that we couldn't stand it any longer.  Caroline and Ellie were happy to be freed from their Peep costumes when we got home...

...and as soon as they could move their arms again, the immediately asked my Dad to sing the "Itsy Bitsy Spider" to be sung to them...with the choreographed motions, of course.

Note:  Hands above the head joined with a short and repeated whine is the universal sign around here for "sing me the Itsy Bitsy Spider!"

A Bako Noel

We flew to Bakersfield to spend Christmas with Blake's side of the family.  Caroline and Ellie did great, especially considering the fact that after 2 cancelled flights...

Ellie

being up all night...

Caroline

waiting in line for hours at the airport at 11pm...

never actually flying into Bakersfield, and having to be picked up in LA...

they were in great moods the WHOLE time!

Going to Bakersfield feels like home for both Blake and I.  It's the longest I've ever lived anywhere and its where Blake was born and raised.  Going home means Caroline and Ellie get to see all of their cousins...soon to be 7 cousins all at the age of 5 and under.

...Not to include their second and third cousins, Aunts, Uncles, Grandparents, and a Great Grandma.

The extended family has a Christmas Eve tradition of all getting together with a soup/bread/dessert pot luck, all the Great Grandkids dressed up in matching PJs,

silly games, a visit from the real Santa Clause, and a White Elephant gift exchange.

The kids reaction to Santa varies on the spectrum ranging from excitement to terror.

Caroline and Ellie were definitely on the terror side of the spectrum.

A part of me felt so bad about them being so terrified, but I'm sad to admit that I was completely entertained and got some enjoyment out of getting these pictures.  I only hope this experience doesn't permanently mar their psyche.

I think they'll be ok.  Yiggie makes everything better.

Our family....

Blake and I each have our own Christmas memories that are poignant, fun and special.  But now, we are beginning an entire new life of memories together, with our children and with our whole family.

I am blessed to call his family, MY family.

Pointing to where it all began....with Caroline and Ellie's Great Grandma!  What a Legacy!