Christmas break

We are lucky enough that the whole family got to have most of Christmas vacation together. I get almost two weeks off from school (so does Carter ;) ) and Dustin takes off the last week of the year. I'm so thankful that we get to spend this time as a family and with OUR families.

We started Christmas eve off with a little bit of painting.


That afternoon we went to Amazing Pizza Machine. It has a small section for toddlers/little kids. We played some games and won some tickets. Carter chose some stamps and a plastic shark. He LOVES his new stamps.


Christmas morning we woke Carter up (I wonder how much longer we'll get to wake HIM up Christmas morning) and started in on stockings.


Although I'm not sure he entirely "gets" Christmas, it was fun to watch him enjoying unwrapping his presents.

I think he would have preferred if they were all unwrapped though so he could just PLAY! :)

Christmas night we headed to Adrian to enjoy the holidays with Dustin's family. Carter throughly enjoyed a second Christmas morning at Grandma and Grandpa's. He loves his new animals. Especially "daddy horsey" which has been going almost everywhere with us.

Checking out some of his new books.

Playing pizza / tea party with Grandpa and loving it!

The next day we hopped in the car and drove as far as Limon before stopping for the night. The next day we stopped at Denver's downtown aquarium to stretch our legs, check out the sights, and get some lunch. Carter loved all of the fish and waterlife. We enjoyed it as well.

There were lots of these bubbles to look at fish from "inside" the aquarium.

Daddy and Carter checking out the tiger that was there too.

He loved the shark exhibit. There were glass openings on the floor were he could lay on his belly and check out the sharks under him. He loved it, but didn't want them to get too close!

We finally made it to Steamboat where Carter had a great time playing with Papa.

Mom took us to see her friend's horses. Carter wasn't too sure about getting all that close.

We fed the horses some carrots.

But then Carter didn't want to get close again :)

When we got back we each took a turn ringing the bell.

Mom and Dad got to go on a hike at Fishcreek Falls. We had a nice time snowshoeing with lots of laughing.

When we got home he was ready to play, play, play.

I guess 35 degrees is acceptable for outside play.

Then we put him to work! (just kidding)

After this we went to the zoo and then played in the garage to play with his sand table. The kid did NOT want to go inside.

It has been a wonderful break with wonderful family time!