Tis The Season 2012

I loved Christmas this year with Sophie.  The whole magic of Santa was much more evident this year.  My daughter got really excited to make her list and find a way to give it to Santa.  We have started a tradition in which she chooses one item to ask Santa.  We are hoping to continue this throughout the years.  

We thought that we were going to have a hard time figuring out what my daughter wanted from Santa; each week it changed.  She wanted a singing doll, then changed her mind to slinky dog from Toy Story. We actually bought the slinky dog and had to return it when she finally settled on a game called Red Rover. We waited until the letter was finalized and handed over to Santa before we bought her gift from Santa (lesson learned for next year).

S has yet to take a real picture with Santa by herself.  We got one on her first Christmas by tricking her and having Santa do a quick scoop in before she could really notice and cry.  The 2nd Christmas she would only take a picture with Santa if we were sitting with her (she was on our lap and Santa was behind us.)  This year, after proudly writing the letter all by herself she was determined to give it to Santa and take a picture with him.  
We could not have picked a better Santa to make this happen.  We went to the Christmas Market at the Distillery District on a weekday.  I don't know if he heard my daughter talking to me while we were in the front of the line, but he (Santa) just knew/sensed her anxiety/nervousness hidden.  He took the time to really talk to her and make her feel comfortable.  Most kids just went up, took their picture and left but somehow he knew that she needed more.  After a nice conversation, we got this picture.  It's a start.  I don't know if we will ever get her on Santa's lap, but who cares, she talked about her pic with Santa the whole holiday. Christmas Market is such a fun time, and will be part of our yearly activities. 

Distiller District Christmas Market train.

For Christmas on my side we decided to try something a little different.  We always spend Christmas Eve at my moms house and this year we decided to spend some quality family time together on a two night trip to Blue Mountain.  It ended up being really fun and we got the white, snowy Christmas that we would not have had if we stayed at home.   

The two nights were seriously nice and relaxing. We went out to eat dinner in the village on the 23rd and we all made dinner on the 24th for Christmas Eve. No Griswold family disasters, which is surprising considering the strong personalities in my family . We just came together to make this a nice getaway.  This was my moms first time visiting Blue Mountain. She loved it, and our cottage had the most perfect view of the mountain which my mom soaked up.  My sister even made the effort to stay over, which she absolutely hates sleeping at other places, unless it is a nice hotel.  My brother was celebrating his first Christmas as a married man, so it was extra special for them.

The most fun was watching my daughter ski for the first time.  We all gathered at the bottom of the slope to witness her first ski lesson.  She looked so cute in her ski gear and just loved the whole experience.  From riding up the magic carpet to the top of the hill (which was pretty high), to skiing and showing us how she could turn her skis into a pizza to stop.   We have a local hill and will make sure to take her this year.  We plan on waiting until August (we heard of a great sale) to purchase ski gear for the whole family.  I have not skied since early high school and Alan has been on the slopes once in his life.  Perhaps we will follow my daughter to the bunny hill for a refresher.

Up I go

Assume pizza position

Getting the hang of it

Ski Instructor

Hope you all had a great Holiday season.   Christmas was so much fun this year.  Hope to create just as many memories next year.  Special thanks goes out to her grandparents, Ninang, Tita, Aunts, Uncles and cousins that made it such a memorable time.