Well, it's a few days past Christmas and the craziness has finally subsided. After seeing Santa on Wednesday, Reed sure was ready for the big day. On Christmas eve, we passed Reed over to Nana and Papa Branch while the rest of us participated in the torchlight parade up at Snowbasin.

It was pretty foggy, so it looked neat for the torches to emerge from the mountain. Fogg, mom and I were up towards the end of the line. As always, it was a blast.

We went over to Nana and Papa Branch's house for a little food and hang out time after the torchlight. Reed had a great time with Papa, learning how to start a fire.

Christmas morning, we had some hang out time, then breakfast, and up to Snowbasin for some family skiing! It's our new tradition, well, for a few years now, but it's going to be our thing. Funny face seeing all the gifts on Christmas morning:

I just thought this one was kinda fun, sort of artsy.

This kid is getting more funny as the time goes by.

For breakfast, Reed insisted on wearing his spiderman light up "booties", his safety goggles and construction helmet. Then he did some strange hand gesture when I took the picture. Funny kid. He loves his booties (what he calls boots, shoes are just "shoes"), you'll see him wearing them at other times.

Reed skiing for the first time!

Reed enjoyed watching Jane ski, he walked along side of her.

The "Christmas Gang". This is part of the tradition, some skiing up at Snowbasin with Ava (center) and Jane.

Got to take a run or two with the hubby (he was patrolling that day)

Gordon was teaching Reed how to build stuff. Reed kinda had a tower going.

Then we opened gifts on Christmas eve night but Reed only got through a few before it was time for bed. Gordon and Leigha came in just in time for some dinner. We were able to skype with Grandma and Papa Fogg so they could watch him open the gifts that they sent for him. He opened gifts from Gordon and Leigha and Lala, then it was time for bed. The rest of us finished our gifts and headed to bed.

Reed opened some more gifts the next day, from Uncle Dale, Aunt Georgette, Cousin Gabby, G-Pa, and Aunty April. Here he is opening one from Lala.


Then finally, the last gift the next day, this one from Dada.


Notice he is wearing his booties. Thanks to everyone that participated in Christmas for this small Fogg family. We had a blast and actually kept it really simple. It was about time together and that was the best part. We got a few more days of skiing in, hanging out with Gordon and Leigha and lots of good food and company.

Cheers~

Santa Claus is coming to town...

Well, Christmas is just around the corner and we've been quite busy getting ready for visitors, showing our appreciation to those around us, and doing Christmas-y type activities. Because Reed is still a bit young to truly understand what Christmas is about, we don't have to worry about screwing up any type of tradition he is used to or staving off unrealistic expectations of what Santa might bring. However, this holiday has become a WHOLE lot more fun when you have a kid. There is nothing like watching a child's eyes light up when he sees Christmas. Isn't there a saying about seeing the world through the eyes of a child? It really is true and so much fun. It's also so easy to get carried away in order to keep seeing that look on his face. It's sort of an addiction to me actually.

The gifts are purchased (though not too many from me this year! - yay for my restraint), the cards are sent out, the goodies made it to the neighbors doorsteps, the few presents got wrapped, watched Elf! and A White Christmas, put the tree and decorations up, planned the parties, attending parties. So now it's time to sit back and relax. Well, sort of.

On the blog post by my friend Keri, I wanted to check out the 25th Street Ogden Christmas Village. None of us have done this before. Though something not typically up the Fogg family ally to do, we gave it a whirl. I'm still in debate about how I felt about it. My husband, the budding recluse, and icicle (due to a forgotten beanie) did not really enjoy the experience. It was quite fun to watch Reed go from house to house to see what was inside. Most of the time they were creepy, but he really liked the animated things. There were far too many people there for my liking, and the children singing may have been a joy for their parents to hear, were not so much fun for me to hear. But it was fun enough - sorry Keri, not quite as enjoyable for me! Not sure if that will be an annual tradition, but it was worth a try.

Reed and "icicle dad" looking at the many nutcrackers. Also is that creepy elf looking at me?

Lala and Reed checking out another weird and creepy display.

A tradition started last year was to see a special Santa every year. Last year's picture was easy, he was only 7 months old and didn't really mind who was holding him. This year was a bit different. This special Santa is a ski instructor at Snowbasin starting on December 26th. Up until Christmas, he is Santa and a good one at that. He truly looks the part, and is about the sweetest man ever. Upon seeing Santa yesterday, he clung to me like white on rice. Though interested in this strange person, not so psyched about being too close.

Everyone tilt your head now...

Mama likes Santa, but Reed is still being shy.

Reed daringly allowed Santa closer...

Wait a second, Santa has candy in that bag? He was willing to get even closer!

Change of venue and a few minutes to get more used to him.
(btw, I love that Santa was so patient with a scared little boy)

Santa reaching into his bag, Reed has got a priceless look on his face.

A candy cane! This guy is not too bad after all!

Yep, really enjoying it now!

Reed also had is daycare Christmas party this week. Miss Beverly was so great to get all the kids presents that they really liked. Reed got a Black and Decker worker set. Hardhat, safety goggles, toolbelt, safety vest (which he is not sporting in this picture) and lots of tools to go with it. He likes wearing his hat and goggles.

Well, we are currently on the Christmas Eve Eve, and have a few more traditions up our sleeve. Christmas Eve we head up to Snowbasin to do the torchlight parade. I'm going to try to video it cause it's one of the more fun activities for the season. Christmas day skiing then home for a big dinner and presents. This year will be a blast to watch Reed open gifts.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night.

Lions and Tigers and Bears... Oh my!

Oh, and lots of other stuff. And maybe not lions but sharks.

Over Thanksgiving, we went to Pittsburgh to visit with Fogg's parents and brother, sister-in-law and niece. Though the trip was great, traveling with an 18 month old can be stressful. Luckily we have an awesome kid and he did great on the flights. We had a layover in both directions and on the first flights he would play nicely and the second flights, he slept. Worked out nicely.

Oh, and before we left, it snowed a lot in Utah. So we went sledding before heading to the airport. Reed loved the snow, not so much walking in it (though I think it was the boots that he didn't like and the fact that the snow was up to his knees). But he loved the sledding and his snow outfit (so did I).

Ok, so we got to Pittsburgh late Sunday night, so our activities started Monday morning. After playing with Gabby in the morning, went downtown for a little shopping and lunch.
For dinner, we met up with everyone and Gabby and Reed sure did love each other lots at dinner.
The next day, Dale, Gabby and Fogg, me and Reed went to a really neat toy store. When we returned and Reed got his nap out of the way, we headed to the incline with Papa and Grandma.

After dinner, Reed read some books with Papa.

The next morning we went to the zoo. This was probably my favorite thing we did. There was almost no one at the zoo and by no exaggeration, there were probably only 10 or so other people there. And the price was super cheap. Though a little chilly, it was awesome. First we saw a tiger that I think wanted to snack on a little boy. Reed didn't even flinch when this massive cat came his way.

Then off to see some elephants, giraffes, monkeys and apes, and a grizzly bear. He liked walking a lot of it on his own. Then we went to the aquarium. Reed got to see a polar bear.

And a shark.

Thanksgiving day was filled with sitting around, playing, going through Fogg's old toys, visiting some more family and eating food. After dinner, Gabby and Reed had a great time playing together with Fogg's old cars.
We tried to get a good picture of Reed and Gabby and that was harder than you think.

But they had a good old time with the whoopi cushion.

Back home, Reed and I were just hanging out one day and I had to change his outfit. He didn't really want to put the new outfit on and really just wanted to run around with his diaper only. Then he got his snow shoes and wanted me to put them on him.

Then he wanted to put his mittens on.

I don't know, the silly things they like to do. Fogg was getting his new skis ready for the season and Reed thought it would be fun to stand on them. He looks so small.

We had our first Christmas party over at Nana and Papa Branch's house. A sort of nice family holiday picture.

And Reed just being sort of silly.

Dancing with Santa

With Nana Branch

Counting with Papa Branch

Carrying a bag after saying "ba-bye"

Trying on Papa's boots.

I think I'm caught up now. Back to the grind after the trip to Detroit and absolute craziness at work.

Cheers!