Running the halls of Eppley airport on the way to meet dad
Arrival hit around the lunch hour, so you know, picnic lunch at the airport
The welcoming committee really did it up this time
Another 18 holes at the puzzle course
It’s kinda surprising how often this is Des’ sleeping position
An annual tradition, the kids and cousins visit pa’s union hall to visit Santa
Hugs!
Contemplative Ella
She’s pro-hug, but only up until 4-5 seconds…
Desmond asking Santa for a remote-control dinosaur (?), he’s a little less shy this year
This did not last long
Ok, cookie. That’s better
Eleanor, fond of all creatures of significant size, offers a giant hug to giant inflated polar bear
On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me… two stuffies in a huge tree
Eleanor laying down in the bathtub, or as she calls it, “swimming”
As dad flies to Nashville for a work conference, a few stow-away stuffies take selfies on vacation
Meanwhile at home, mom’s potato & leek soup is a perennial favorite
“Hi dad!”
Pre-dinner yoga, doing the traditional “rocket blast-off” pose
Just kicking back with some light reading
Ella sleeping with her BFF, Margaret
“IT SNOW!”
Eleanor getting all bundled up for her first time playing in the snow as a toddler
The family that shovels together…
“COLD!” -Ella, reporting on scene that the snow is also bright
It was enough snow for short legs to need an extra hand
After a while she settle into her own little routine of effectively walking laps around the front yard through the snow. Mom and dad aren’t sure quite what’s going on, but she certainly had a mission in mind
Meanwhile Des is more than busy redistributing snow around the yard
Toddling in a Winter Wonderland
After a few laps with dad, she’s decided to go once solo…
Ella gets in on the clearing snow action
Yes, he’s shoveling the front yard. And clearly making a “snow mountain”
Monkey see, monkey do
The chef hard at working making a “snow pizza”
On the most recent trip to the Asian Market, dad was walking towards the produce when he noticed the sound of Desmond’s footsteps no longer behind him. In the less than 10 seconds, Des had spotted the tub of blue crabs, found the tongs and managed to pick up a crab-
During a holiday gathering with friends, the coffee table transforms into a kids banquet table
Seasonal entertainment with Frosty the Snowman
But while the other kids just watch from wherever they were playing, Des and Ella immediately assume “movie night” position on the couch with blankets
Ella saying goodnight to everyone, with (self-imposed) mandatory hugs, kisses AND high-fives
