Noon Years Eve

Since we were lucky enough to have an annual membership to the Loveland Living Aquarium in Draper this year, we heard about a fun celebration they were having on the 31st of December called "Noon Years Eve". It is hard to celebrate the new year at the actual midnight countdown with a little boy at home who needs his sleep, (and parents who aren't getting any younger and need all the beauty rest they can get) so we decided to check it out. They do a large balloon drop right at 12:00 noon complete with a countdown, music and everything. Lots of people showed up, but it was a fun thing to participate in as a family before the big celebration at our house that evening.

Probably the only time he'll be able to touch a piranha! (It was dead and dried)

Fort

This year we had snow on Christmas Day! In fact, a LOT of snow on Christmas Day! It snowed most of the week and it was beautiful and perfect for a nice Christmas Day with family. Since the snow had to be removed from the driveway anyway, Trace and Kevin headed outside to see what they could do with all that snow. A few hours later, I opened the door to find the most elaborate and tall snow fort I'd ever seen! Complete with tunnels and a small cave. Trace had so much fun and there was so much snow the pile lasted well into the spring.

Christmas Day

Christmas Day is here! It is amazing to me to see how things change year after year. This year for Christmas we didn't have Ginger, but it was the first one with Raven, Trace got to purchase his own presents at school for his Mom, Dad, Nana and Papa and we had a nice relaxing day since Tamara and Adam were in Atlanta for the holiday.

Trace begged me to set up the train set around the tree, I have to admit, it looks pretty nice!

Trace was amazed at the fact that Santa drank his milk and ate the cookies we left out for him.

The reindeer only partially ate the carrot we left.

This stormtrooper wasn't much of a surprise, Trace was with me when I bought it. I had to exchange something and the only thing we found that would work for the exchange was old number X23-648, so he got to come home with us.

Trace loves this Claymation movie "Shaun the Sheep"

He asked Santa for a blimp....he got a blimp.

Trace even bought presents for Raven at his school store

I think she likes it.

Gotta love a new Lego book!

Later that day, since we weren't having our official celebration with the Taylor side of the family, Nana and Papa came over to get the gifts that Trace got for them at his school. They were quite happy with the things he came up with despite the limited selection available.

Me; "Whatcha doing Trace?" Trace: "I just wanted to weelax and weed my new book"

Cute little fella! Happy Christmas one and all!

Visit with old Saint Nick

This year Trace asked Santa for an "army truck with camouflage" and "a blimp". A blimp?! What?! Santa just gave me a sympathetic smile and shrugged. Why can't my kid be like all the others that ask for a video game console? Just Kidding! I love my unique kid, he's not afraid to be his own person, that's for sure! Now where to find a blimp.......

We went to the movies and Daddy just HAD to get this picture of Trace. He is really looking forward to the opening of the "Deadpool" movie, so this picture became his screen saver on his phone and stayed there for months.