Of course, there was Christmas.

We had a good one, too! We drove over the continental divide (proving that this flat-lander does not tolerate 10,000 ft. all that well - holy altitude, Batman), and joined R's sister in Glenwood Springs, near Vail, Colorado. What a lovely little town, way up in the Rockies! We enjoyed ideal travel weather, and much warmer than average temperatures, making dog walking along the river right outside their house a real joy. We managed to squeeze in two kinds of skiing, plus an afternoon in the thermal springs. (Watching my boys jump off an outdoor diving board in 30 F weather - totally giggle inducing. Apparently freezing increases courage!)

Santa managed to find us, even way up in the mountains.

Those are cross-country skis for Danny - boy, was he excited (he was only slightly less enthusiastic after we put them on him - it's not quite as easy as he thought it would be!)

Santa knows what a budding rock star we have on our hands, and brought Rome the guitar he's been begging for.

And he must have had a family band in mind, because Lina got a karaoke machine.

Of course, there were plenty of other exciting things under the tree - some of which we are still sorting through, even after the tree is down at our house. Generosity abounded - thanks to all who contributed!

There was plenty of other fun to be had, too. My sister-in-law and her husband are lovely hosts, and they know the way to a Southern girl's heart - lots of good cooking (and even better eating!). Thanks, y'all, for the most excellent eats (and also for the general goodwill and tolerance of children in the kitchen - no small feat).

Never a dull moment - it's a well known fact that children will entertain themselves, even without toys. Hence, this picture - no, it's not an illusion, and yes, it was his idea. My giraffe of a son (he's over 4 feet tall, but by how much, I'm not sure) fit himself into a suitcase that I could put in the overhead bin of an aircraft.

Much hilarity ensued, and we eventually had to MAKE him get out (and hide the suitcase from him, to prevent him or his siblings from zipping him inside it and throwing him down a flight of stairs.) I'd consider taking him as a carry-on on my next flight, but I'm not sure the x-rays at security are particularly good for a growing boy.

Hope your holiday was just as warm, merry, and full of happy weirdness!