Finishing up Christmas

I realized there were some photos and videos of Christmas festivities that I had not posted yet. The first photo is of Santa visit #2. For a child who notices anything related to Santa and gets excited, she sure is not too excited about visiting the jolly old man in person. This time we were in a different mall shopping and not really planning to visit Santa. There was no line so we thought we would give it a try. They let you take ONE picture with your own camera. The thing that worked better this time is that they have a rocking horse for kids like Katherine who are a little scared. Then for their picture Santa kind of snuggles in behind them and it is cute. Hopefully next year she will be a big girl and set a good example for Squeak when they go visit Santa.

Our poor Christmas tree. It did really well for awhile. Katherine was good at taking off her ornaments and putting them back on the tree. When we had 3 other toddlers at our house for community group though, the babysitters just couldn't handle trying to keep them all away from the tree. Apparently they were taking the ornaments off and one of them (a hand carved wooden nativity from Italy) was fed and completely consumed by the dog. So, they took all the ornaments from the bottom third of the tree and moved them out of reach. So, for the rest of the season our tree was a little top heavy.

Our community group had a dinner and white elephant gift exchange. What did Sam come home with, not because he was stuck with it but because he stole it? A farting snowman that has become one of Katherine's favorite things. It sings and dances and bends over mid-song to fart. That fact is luckily lost on our sweet innocent daughter. The other kids in community group liked it too.

It was a little chilly for a few days (my readers in Noway would laugh at our definition of "chilly") so we had a fire. It was the first time that we have had one since Katherine was old enough to remember and enjoy it. She was curious but we taught her that it was hot and not to touch it. Daddy and Katherine have enjoyed several rides around the block in her new Radio Flyer Tricycle. As you see, dad can push and steer while Katherine things she is actually pedaling and steering.

We finally went to see the train exhibit. It was pretty cool and elaborate. Katherine really liked it. I think she remembers all the trains and subways we rode in Norway. We had fun with Nana and Pops.