Christmas in Colorado

Yes, it's true. I'm doing a new post. I haven't had a posting-drought like this in a couple of years. And that was only because blogging was a chore back then and all I could muster were monthly recaps. This particular drought has been caused by lack of opportunity. Though there's little to show for it at the end of each day, I've worked my keyster off doing whatever and all I know is that there's not been a second to spare. Some things that have come and gone that most likely won't get posted are: Thanksgiving (our first as just us), my 30th birthday, the snow we got here, our pre-Christmas Christmas in Dallas, our 6th anniversary, New Year's and resolutions, the little rabbit that's taken up residence in our backyard (Emily named it "Bun Bun"). So, yes, posting has been out of the question lately, as has checking anyone else's blogs. Maybe someday....

I've actually been working on this post intermittently pretty much for two days. Thanks to my dear friend, Stephanie, I've found a way to post a lot of pictures of our wonderful Christmas in Colorado without having it be even more gigantic than it already is. Let's just say I used my new camera a ton (like 504 pictures worth) during our vacation and that makes for a lot of sorting through to do. So take note of these fancy collages Danny and I learned how to do.


We got to Denver on Dec. 18th. Mom and Dad Dixon had all sorts of surprises and things up their sleeves. It couldn't have been a better time. The day after we arrived we all headed to Santa's Workshop in Colorado Springs for a few hours. It's a great little amusement park and the kiddos had a blast going on all the rides. Kuddos to Stacy for finding this place!

From the time we knew we'd be heading to Colorado for Christmas, Emily got it in her head that decorating Grandma's tree would be on the agenda. Practically every time we talked to her on the phone Emily asked Grandma if she was leaving the tree-decorating till we got there.

Every day there was something fun to do. Making and decorating sugar cookies was something the kids enjoyed doing.

We went geocaching one afternoon. If you don't know what that is, I recommend you click here to learn about it and give it a try. It's really fun. Ben led us to one right down the street and the we all had a good time looking for it. We took something to put in so we could take something from it. Emily took some stickers and Dallin took a rock. Megan was just along for the ride, but she sure looked cute.

Building a gingerbread house was also must-do for Emily. Again, Grandma came through for us and had bought a perfect little kit. I think Dallin ate more frosting than what went on the house.

Snow to play in was something we'd prayed for for months when we knew we'd be in Denver for Christmas. Our kids had never even seen snow before and I was really hoping there'd be some for them. Since prayers are always answered, we had a good snowstorm come through two days before Christmas. It started falling just after the kids had gone to bed, so they woke up to this. It was beautiful.

They were dying to go out and play. And play we did. It was really a lot of fun. They loved tromping in it, doing snow angels, throwing it, and tasting it. Danny and Ben were good sports and pulled them around in the sled. Stacy was a good sport trying to build a snowgirl with Emily, though the snow wasn't the best for it that day. Ben gets the Uncle of the Year Award for staying out with Emily to go sledding even though he was cold and wet from already having gone with Dallin.

Making Norweigan pastries at Christmastime is a Dixon tradition. They're pronounced Fuddy Mayners, though I have no idea how to spell it. Dallin and Emily were good helpers.

After a delicious Christmas Eve feast, we all got into costume to perform the Nativity. Grandma was the narrator, Dallin was a shepherd, Aunt Stacy was an angel, I was Mary, Danny was Joseph, Megan was Baby Jesus, Grandpa was a shepherd, Emily was an angel, Uncle Mike was a wiseman, Uncle Beaner was the donkey, and Aunt Emily was the photographer. Good times had by all!

Grandma and Grandpa had a gift for everyone to open before going to bed on Christmas Eve. All the boys opened matching flannel bottoms and shirts. All the girls opened matching flannel bottoms and shirts, even Megan and Emily. Grandma, the amazing seamstress, had actually made itty bitty flannel bottoms for Megan and some for Emily from grown-up sized flannel bottoms! They were so cute and I'm sure there's not another baby on earth with her own little flannel jammy bottoms. It was fun to be all matchy-matchy.

Christmas morning was great. Here we are opening the stockings. Emily had asked Santa for a Snow White doll, a Belle doll, and the movie "Beauty and the Beast". Dallin had simply asked for a book.

Moving onto the gifts. For whatever reason, Emily really wanted to get a "Cougar shirt" for Christmas. She and Dallin asked Grandpa to get one for them and, of course, he did. They were thrilled.

Grandma had arranged for a special guest to come over on Christmas morning. The night before, we'd found "Christmas Dust" from Santa on the front door step. It was a baggy containing dry oats and glitter, and a slip of paper instructing us to sprinkle the Christmas dust on the front lawn. It explained that the glitter would sparkle in the moonlight, helping Santa to find our house and the smell of the oats would guide the reindeer. The kids did the sprinkling before going to bed on Christmas Eve. Then, after all the gifts were opened on Christmas morning, there was a knock at the door. We hurried the kids to the door to answer it and they were shocked to see Santa standing there. He came in with a bag and explained that after he'd delivered all the gifts around the world, he'd found a few presents on the floor of his sleigh that had fallen out of his bag. He came to give them to Megan, Dallin, and Emily. Dallin unwrapped some books and Emily unwrapped her movie. They LOVED it and were just eating it up. For me, that was my favorite part of the whole day.

Among many other fun things, we played Rock Band Beattles a lot and the boys played Wii. Emily's favorite song was "Yellow Submarine", and she and Dallin learned every word. They sing it all the time. Just today during lunch she sang the whole song.



I most certainly cannot post about this holiday without giving major props to Mom and Dad Dixon for such a fantastic time. Mom spent countless hours before anyone's arrival preparing meals and activities and gifts, etc. Dad forked over a lot of money getting and having us there for so long, not to mention for all the gifts. The aunts and uncles also get major props for playing and helping with the kids just about 24/7. The crazy thing is that they LOVE it and never get sick of any of the kids' antics or demands or whims. I loved watching them love my kids. So, thanks for that, Mom, Dad, Stace Potate, Uncle Beaner, Mike, and Emily. We really had the best time ever.