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
Each barn Des constructs must contain a fully operational crane
While the world is out shopping, it’s a good morning for a zoo trip with some friends
Petting the starfish, which will never be the same after watching Finding Dory
Des still insists this is not Nemo, but Nemo’s father, Martin
Little fishies convention
20+ laps later, still had to coax her into going to see the butterflies
Not her first time at the butterfly pavilion, but certainly the most excited she’s been to see so many real butterflies
Ella opted to join dad (racing eyes-closed through the insect section) to see the big butterflies outside
Ella (respectfully) encounters a new, inquisitive friend
The Great Standoff
Des keeping up with Grace and Clara
Little monkeys surveying the jungle
“Is your mama a llama?” I asked my friend Dave. “No, she is not,” is the answer Dave gave. “She hangs by her feet, and she lives in a cave. I do not believe that’s how llamas behave.” “Oh,” I said. “You are right about that. I think that your mama sounds more like a…”
This may have been right after Grace bonked Ella, but no tears
“Turtle!”
“When something is new, holding a hand can help you.”
Mom thoughtfully squeezing in as much exercise before nap time
And because it was a Friday, time to seize the falafel at Oasis Falafel of Omaha. Run, don’t walk.
Celebrating Falafel Friday with aunt Kellie
A bit hangry and pouty
But who wouldn’t smile at this feast??
After naps, it was time for the annual tradition of the tree lighting at the Durham Museum. Of course it all starts with meeting this guy-
One of the first in line to see Santa, going early is certainly advantageous. Then it’s off to decorate, and then consume, cookies.
The first holiday cookie of the season
When dad asked Eleanor if she would share a little bit of her cookie, she was eager to oblige. Des points to the crumb that was (laughably) even too small for a mouse.
Rudolph!
One of these years we’ll stay late enough for the actual lighting ceremony 🙂
Des with some trepidation, but not sister.
Staring at the tiny cows and chickens
Yeah, someone is tired
An annual tradition, visiting Santa at pa’s union hall.
Finally a Christmas tree Eleanor is allowed to touch
Touch all the things!
Practicing her walking more so than her brother, she’ll routinely take several steps. Des just decided not to walk for some time after he initially learned.
Des was eager to see Santa, but got a tad shy when the moment came. He powered through enough though to reiterate his wish for “a barn” 🙂
Ella didn’t know what to make of the situation
Watching Frosty the Snowman
Yay tree
A rare occasion of reading something with mom other than Star Wars
Desmond and mom raking up the pods before dad dethatches. The overhead of the additional “help” is notable
She is utterly convinced the spinning portion of the drill is removable, as attested to by her persistence in trying to grab and pull it while whilst operating the drill
Eleanor’s new habit is to grab the remote and go fetch a blanket. While not much TV watching goes on to mimic to begin with, she just likes turning the remote around and pushing buttons
Eleanor practicing her new face, clearly excited for the tree lighting at the Durham
Des was a bit nervous to meet Santa last year, but was an old pro this go-around. He also asked Santa for “a barn,” though Santa could only laugh, having not heard that one yet this century.
Stepping into the map, near home
Exploring the Zoom Into Nano exhibit
“On your head, for a hat”
Desmond exploring the inside of a silicon wafer
Everyone met at pa’s union hall to continue the tradition seeing Santa Claus. Desmond has only seen the classic Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer since last seeing Santa a few weeks ago, but we’ve been talking him up.
Des decides just one grandchild on grandma’s lap isn’t enough
Eagerly waiting, which was notably streamlined this year with family numbers and reduced line time
Des still shy. If you look closely, that thumbs-up appears to be sarcastic
Aunt Megan and Ella
Yup, mostly slept
Hamming it up for ma
After unwrapping his new set of cars, Viv and Des instinctively got down from the table and paraded them, hand-in-hand. The sheer cuteness was apparently a distraction, as the two rounded the corner before any parent thought best to go get them 😉
Des unwraps—and immediately bogarts—his sister’s present. To be fair, the blanket outsized him, let alone her.
It was also a frog blanket, possibly establishing an annual theme.
Mom was changing sister’s diaper and came downstairs to Des trying to make his own bowl of cereal… one little handful at a time. There was more on the floor than in the bowl, but he demonstrated initiative.
Desmond’s new thing this week has been requesting, “snuggle.” So after nap, he wanted to snuggle with mom and baby sister.
Each year Durham Western Heritage Museum has a lighting ceremony for the season’s tree. Going down a bit early on the toddler schedule avoided some of the crowd, a genuinely nice evening out.
Des wasn’t so certain about visiting Santa, but sat for a brief moment on dad’s lap before squirming out of frame. Maybe some animated Santa is in order to build up any endearment 🙂
Decorate your own cookies?! Get a cookie, messy frosting and get to draw on it? Yes please!
Just as spectacular before the tree was all lit up too
Taking it all in
“Caboose!”
Sitting on the vintage streetcar, pointing at the next knob to twist or turn
Last time Des was in the lounge car, he was barely walking
Des and the cousins visit pa’s union hall (IBEW Local 22) to meet Santa Claus, just like mom did when she was a little girl.
Oh yeah, Des is walking now! Just a few steps occasionally, but he’s officially mobile.
We’re all pretty excited about it.
Des itemizes his wishlist for Santa
Des also got a froggy from Santa. He’s paid much attention to stuffed animals before, but he’s enthralled with this one
Playing with grandma after waking up from his afternoon nap
Des here is in no pain or discomfort. He has demonstrated repeatedly that he can get out whenever he wants. No, here he is royally ticked off he can’t crawl fully under the couch. The little man is strong-willed.
No Desmonds were hurt during the making of this video:
And much like the velociraptors in Jurassic Park, Des has figured out the door. Pretty tall for not even 14 months.
Playing the piano over at Rebecca & Jason’s before our Friendsgiving meal.
Met Santa today
Not digging the festive head attire
