The cutest bee you'll ever see

On Sunday, the kids had fun unpacking all the presents they'd gotten for Christmas in Ohio.  Zac and I were busy unpacking and restarting the functions of life at home, so at some point Simon found his bee wings and he put them on himself. You can see in the second picture the straps are all tangled.

Day 8: Return

It snowed at night, so on the morning we were set to leave there was wonderful fresh snow. The kids went out and played in it a bit while we packed up for the drive home.

I didn't have time to get bundled up, so I just stepped outside and took this picture through the porch screen. But trust me, the snow was beautiful.

Then, we drove home. Both kids were pretty good on the drive again. Alice stayed busy with the iPad and Simon just looked out the window or entertained himself. We made these purple paper cups at the origami station at the Museum of Life and Science and Simon loves to eat his snacks out of it. I think it makes the pretzels look like fries.

When we got home, Simon hung the boat he made with Grandpa on the tree. Right next to the chip bag clip that he had previously hung on the tree.

Day 7: Kingwood Center

In the morning, we once again bundled up and headed out. Well, actually, Stana went to work, Tener and Sera stayed inside and visited, and Nelson, Zac, Alice and Simon went outside. Simon lasted the longest, because he loved playing in the fire.

In the evening, we went to Kingwood Center to see the holiday lights there. It was snowing and beautiful and cold. I didn't take any pictures because I didn't want to take my gloves off (a common problem outdoors this whole trip). But somebody else (my dad, maybe Zac?) took a few photos.

Day 6: Less snow, more sledding

On Thursday, the snow was dwindling, but Simon still wanted to sled ride. We also walked around on the ice a lot. And Alice got her first braid.

 

 

Day 5: Sledding in Mansfield

On Wednesday morning, it was still unbearably cold. But, due to the extreme cold, the bit of Christmas Eve snow was still still intact and ready for sledding. After breakfast and a snack, we all bundled up and headed out.

Simon was so excited to sled-ride. Even although he wiped out on his first attempt, he persevered an eventually mastered the slope. While Alice flitted about to different activities, Simon really focused on sledding. He was all smiles the whole time.

 

 

 

 

 

Day 4: Ashville to Grove City

On the day after Christmas, we spent most of the day at Grandma Cam's. 

 Then, after our farewell photo, we headed to Taesen's for supper and the Shogren-Romine-Arcaro Christmas.

  

  

Day 3: Christmas Day!

We woke up to snow that barely covered the grass, but we'll take what we can get.

Simon was very interested in trying to read his name on the presents.

After breakfast, it was time to open presents!

Then it was time to try out (or eat) the gifts.