This last weekend was our first trip to Tahoe for the winter season. I was begging and begging to go to Tahoe for months! I am old enough now to remember my favorite parts of our cabin: snowballs, Mr. Blue Dog, big blocks, pinecones, 'cuzzi tub, and particularly BIG FAN! For three hours in the car, I kept asking for my big fan...constantly, really for three hours. I have no idea why Mama went crazy!
We met Gee & Grandpa at the cabin and spent a whole day playing in the snow, and mostly just making Grandpa play hide-and-seek and turning fans on and off. The next day, Granddad, Boppy, Uncle Chris & Cousin Harper also flew in to share a wonderful weekend with us.
Cousin Harper and I had so much fun together...she gave me all sorts of hugs and kisses, and had so much patience when she was playing with me.
Dada went skiing on Saturday and the rest of us bundled up to go up the gondola to the top of Heavenly mountain. The gondola ride with unparalleled views of the lake were amazing...but mostly I kept looking for deer and bunny rabbit tracks in the snow below. Mama and Dada are going to get me on skis sometime this winter...but I'll believe it when I see it!
We also went sledding at the house and built my very first snowman! I loved getting buried in the snow by Mama and Dada, but my favorite part was going on a "wolf hunt" with Dada. We followed tracks in the snow to a "cave" where the wolf was going night night! :-)
I had a blast with four grandparents doting on me every second of the day, plus a pretty cool Uncle & Cousin too!
We get to go back next week too...I'm already anticipating my Big Fan On!
***THERE ARE A LOT OF PHOTOS & VIDEOS...the videos are pretty funny!***
Hide-n-seek with Grandpa (and there's a big fan in the closet)
Checking out the snow on the deck for the first time
With Cousin Harper at the lookout over the lake
Kisses from Harper
Granddad, Boppy, Harper, Chris, me & Mama
With Grandpa and Granddad on the gondola
Gee, Grandpa, Mama and me
I came up with this idea on my own! Hilarious! Grandparents will do anything for me!
playing in the snow with Gee
Sledding with Dada - and Uncle Chris helping us go straight!
With Gee & Boppy
Heading downhill with Mama! Hold on tight!
Harper teaching me to make a snowman
Watch out when you give a little dude the ingredients for the snowman!
Snowman tastes yummy
The whole gang!
Have you noticed that my snowman is a boy?
The Colton House family
With Granddad, Boppy & Harper and my first snowman
Well, I couldn't wait one more day! The day after Thanksgiving, it was time to start preparing for Christmas. Bring on Santee Claus and snowmen and reindeer Dekkanrations! Little elf Dekkan is ready! I dragged Mama and Dada to Steve's Trees in Napa, where we've gotten all our trees since I was born. I then spent an eternity (in my world, about 3 minutes), searching for the absolute perfect tree. A beautiful 10 foot silver tip was my final choice! Just like the kind that Mama used to have when she was growing up (which was sadly replaced by a fake tree called Irene several years later). It has perfectly spaced yet full branches with a perfect silvery sparkle on the tips. I picked out a few wreathes and 50 feet of garland for our stairs to add to the purchase, and then laughed with glee at the sight of the tree bobbing on the top of Mama's car through the skylight on our drive home.
Then it was my job to direct the troops! Mama set about Dekkanrating the yard, while Dada perched on the roof stringing out our white lights, which continue to delight me every night. The tree fit perfectly next to our fireplace and our stockings that were hung by the fire with care! The lights went up and we set about hanging our ornaments. Every ornament has a story - many are homemade, many were gifts, and many are from adventures that Mama and Dada (and sometimes me!) have had through the years.
Searching for the perfect tree!
There she is!
Lights...check!
All done!
What better place for an elf than in a giant wreath!
Directing the troops!
My reindeer are ready
Isn't Mama's table pretty?
I helped Dekkanrate this one!
Good job Dada!
Final product.
Say cheese little elf!
Reading 'Twas the Night Before Christmas with Monkey
Staying dry with Gee. (and isn't the garland pretty?)
Looking dapper on my weekend with Gee & Grandpa
Playing dress up with hats with Grandpa
...and Gee!
Giant Santee Claus by Grandpa's house
Mama and Dada all dressed up for C12's Christmas party...and the whole reason I got to spend the weekend with Gee & Grandpa. They clean up nice huh?
Making my homemade salt dough ornaments with Dada.
This weekend, I'm going to Tahoe in the mountains in the snow to make snowmen and see pinecones!
2 weeks ago, Mama whisked me away to New York City for a long weekend of fun. Dada was there all week finalizing a big deal for work...so Mama and I flew out there to celebrate with him. This was my third time to New York, but I enjoyed this time more than ever before. Do you know how many flags are in that city? or how many tall buildings? or how many trains? or cars? Holy cow! I kept counting objects until my head exploded. Mama & Miss Serena (her friend from med school) took me to the Botanical Garden's Holiday Train Show on Friday...and I delighted in watching all the choo choos chug along through replicas of NYC buildings. The buildings fascinated the adults, with their intricate designs using all natural botanical items...but the choo choos were there just for me! I'm also a huge fan of ponds, waterfalls...heck, I'm a fan of anything with water, so there were plenty of water features to keep me entertained as well (even a very cool drain!).
I was perfect (though awake) on the entire flight to NYC...but couldn't make it through the cab ride
The first choo choo at the Train show
Completely awesome replicas of NYC buildings using only seeds, bark, leaves, dirt and other plant stuff
They even had replicas of NYC bridges, complete with working trains going overhead
Yankee Stadium (booooooo)
Finally a pic with Miss Serena!
Thomas the train! (my personal favorite, and the only oversized plastic train amongst all the other antique gorgeous ones that Mama preferred)
Waiting for Thomas to come back
My Gran was in town to watch me in the evenings so Mama and Dada could meet up with their many friends in the area. Gran and I ordered room service, and I got to eat ice cream every night! On Friday night, Mama and Dada went to dinner with Serena & Stoyen to a super-fancy-delux place called 11 Madison Park. They splurged A LOT, but Mama passed her boards, and Dada finished his huge financing round, so it was an appropriate celebration!
Mama and Dada celebrate with some bubbly!
Mama and Miss Serena at their fancy dinner
One of 15 (or maybe 16) courses...they lost track!
Saturday we met with Beth (Mama's friend from residency), Mike, Ellie and Zack at the Central Park Zoo. Ellie and I had a great time exploring the penguin and sea lion exhibit, and playing on the structures at the Children's Zoo. The grown ups chatted about the "good old days" - apparently that means before I was born. Hmm...not sure what I think about that!
Beth, Mike, Ellie & Zack with Mama, Dada and Me!
Playing turtle with Gran
Goofing off with Mama
Peek-a-boo!
Caught in a spider web
Sunday, Gran and Mama and Dada took me to the Natural History Museum. Holy Dinosaur Bones! That was amazing! The panoramas were also enamoring. We also walked through Rockefeller Square, through Central Park, and along 5th Avenue. In fact, just walking around the city was probably the single best part of the whole city.
Mr. Roosevelt, Dada's hero
Check out them bones!
Cool bones, but my spinning light from the gift shop is more interesting...
Showing my light to the dead animal behind me
Presenting Hercules to a huge set of jaws!
Checking out the dioramas
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Now I'm ready for the real Serengeti...please Gran?
Grand Central Station
More flags! Lots of flags!
Flags and ice skaters all in one place!
Selfie with Mama in Central Park
Watching the ice skaters in Central Park
Mama and Dada enjoying a nice walk
Just a few days after we returned from our NYC festivities, it was time for Thanksgiving weekend. More celebrating! Hooray! Gee and Grandpa came for the weekend, and the Henle and Romps families joined us too. Little Felix and I had a great time exploring the backyard, and even playing in the firepit...ugh! Mama was on call, and it was a bit busy, but with everyone pitching in, we had a wonderful meal. And...then we repeated it two days later with the Rivest & Hunt families - a post-Thanksgiving Thanksgiving! This time I was entertained by two lovely ladies, Finley & Bea.
Gee and Dada working on the Turkey & fixins
Yummy finished product
Mama's pretty table
Nancy, Mama and Lydia
Dada and Dave
Just chillin' with felix in the fire pit
The gang filling up their plates
The whole gang including the Romps' and Henles
Thanksgiving #2 - Mr. Chris is keeping us all entertained!
Dada with Mama and Miss Jessy
Dinner with the Rivest's and Hunt's
Playing piano with Bea
As good as you get with three toddlers!
Happy Holidays everyone! Christmas preparations coming up next!
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