Holiday Fun

The Christmas season was really fun with the kiddos this year and we had lots of opportunities to make it special.

Santa Comes to Town :: The Friday before Thanksgiving we went to Streets at Southglenn and awaited Santa's arrival. He came with Mrs. Clause by horse drawn carriage and lit all of the lights in the shopping center.

Work Parties :: Some of the holiday fun was just for the adults. Gilby and I went to a few work parties including one at Mile High Stadium, one at the Denver Art Museum, and one with my social work colleagues who know how to have a good time!

 A few co-workers from the Sie Center for Down Syndrome

Cookie Exchange :: Sydney and I went to a cookie exchange at her friend Olivia's house and came home with lots of yummy treats.

Golden Lights :: The kids and I met up with Grandma, Grandpa, Danny, Nel, and Emma for our traditional Starbucks treat and walk along Clear Creek in Golden to take in the holiday lights.

Rocky Mountain Down Syndrome Association Holiday Party :: We attended the annual RMDSA holiday party, which was super special this year because Danny, Nel, and Emma were able to join us.

Celebrating with Neighbors :: We had our second annual early Christmas celebration with Bryce and Lynne next door. We exchanged gifts, Lynne had a cookie decorating project for the kids, and dessert for all of us. We feel really lucky to have such great neighbors!

The Nutcracker :: Grandma, Aunt Siri, Aunt Nel and myself took the big kids to a sensory friendly performance of The Nutcracker. Overall, we had lots of fun, but the kids ebbed and flowed between loving it, being bored, and getting antsy. Myles did better if we sat up really high in the auditorium, so he and I headed up and up while the others sat closer. Raum and Ryker were confused why there was no talking, and at one point Raum said, "Well this is boringer than I thought it would be." Ha! All in the name of memories.

 Raum and Ryker having a bored moment.

Family Time :: For the first time in several years, my whole family was together for Christmas. Danny, Nel, and Emma were in Colorado from Israel for about 3 weeks in December and Ben's family joined us from North Dakota for a week. We took advantage of all being together and had a good time simply hanging out. The cousins were in heaven!

Blossoms of Light :: One evening we took our very big crew (my family, Ben's family, Danny's family, Siri and Raum, Grandpa and Grandma, Uncle David and Tori, and my Aunt Jane, Michael, cousin Courtney and her boyfriend Max) to Blossoms of Light at Denver Botanic Gardens and out to eat at a Mexican restaurant after. It was one crazy and crowded, but fun night!

I'm thankful for all of the family time we had and memories that were made this holiday season!

Fantasy Flight

In December, Myles had the unique opportunity to go on a Fantasy Flight through United Airlines. Seventy-five kids with disabilities or chronic illnesses were chosen to participate. He and Gilby met up with the other participants, rode a charter bus to Denver International Airport, were given a ticket to the North Pole, went through security, and boarded a flight. The experience from start to finish was made special from holiday decorations to Disney characters to therapy dogs and more. Myles was excited about the flight, giddy during the train ride to the terminal, and had a great time. The flight was 30 minutes and landed at the North Pole (an airplane hangar) where the kids were greeted by Santa and Mrs. Clause, and each treated to lots of gifts picked just for them. It was a once in a lifetime experience for our little guy!

Ski Weekend

The first weekend of December we took advantage of two days with nothing on the calendar and headed up to Winter Park for our first ski days of the season. Myles had lessons with NSCD (National Sports Center for the Disabled) both days while Gilby and I managed the other two. Ryker had a somewhat difficult first day without his "Edgie Wedgies" (clips that hold his skis together at the top), but once we remembered to put them on the second day, he was sailing. I was impressed with both Myles and Sydney. It seemed that they picked up right where they left off last year and made some progress. All three kids had a great time and are enthusiastic skiers. Although still a lot of work to ski with three young ones, it is rewarding to share this sport as a whole family, and we are hoping for many, many more ski weekends to come - and hoping they get easier and easier!

Fun at the hotel. Playing games during dinner.

Hotel swimming!

Our little skiers. Sydney in the purple helmet, Ryker in the silver, and Myles in the red. Gilby in the red jacket hanging close to Ryker, and Myles' instructor in the blue coat.

Since that weekend in December, we've taken all three kids up for one more day of skiing so far. Myles didn't have a lesson, so it was just Gilby and I with the three kids. Thankfully it was more doable than I imagined!