Three

For his third birthday, Toby finally got to take Robbie on a much anticipated (on both sides) ski trip.

Robbie was a champ. He never whined about the cold or all the gear. He had a great time and loved skiing and riding the lift about equally. I have a feeling we'll be going again soon.

Later that afternoon, several family members joined us for cake, ice cream and presents. Robbie was, if possible, more excited by the attention from so many people than he was by the presents.

The video below shows about 30 seconds of highlights from the big day - including his completely "hamming-it-up" behavior while unwrapping presents.

All I could do was roll my eyes and laugh.

Joy

Not Exactly Baywatch

One of the things I miss most about living in the Northwest (besides Abby's Pizza) is the Ocean. Somehow the Great Salt Lake doesn't quite measure up.

When we went to Oregon this December I really wanted to take Robbie to the coast but it was raining and miserable all week. But then I reminded Toby of the "rule of thumb" my family always used.

If it's raining in Roseburg, it will be nice at the coast. And the opposite is also true.

So we piled into the truck with my brother and his family and braved the rain. When we got there, it wasn't exactly Baywatch weather - but it wasn't raining either.

Wind, wet and cold not withstanding, I think it was Robbie's favorite part of the whole trip.

Christmas 2008

Christmas was a little rushed this year because we were on the road to Oregon by 1 pm. I wish we could have spent more time just enjoying the day but we had to get moving in order to squeeze in a quick visit with my family.



The kids (Robbie and his cousin) being old enough to really understand the concept of the holiday and being able to anticipate it made this year, by far, the funnest ever. They were just as interested in everyone else's presents as their own.



This year's theme must have been tools. Robbie's really in a tool phase, which gets stronger every day. It doesn't help that Uncle Kip has been here finishing our basement. Robbie loves to go down and "help". Kip, for his part, is very patient and makes Robbie feel like he's an important part of the process. If scattering Sheetrock screws and eating Sheetrock dust are essential to the process, then maybe Kip is right.



The best part of this Christmas were the handmade gifts. Uncle Kip made both boys a wood tool box (a la Handy Manny) and a wood sawhorse. They are a little heavy but durable enough to last a few lifetimes. With any luck, Robbie can pass his down to his grandkids.



Why is it that no matter how we try to "scale back" Christmas morning always looks like this?

How was your Christmas?