Our traditional Christmas Eve dinner in the living room

Christmas break began with soccer camp. We signed up both Jude and Anna for a half day soccer camp for two days at the place where Jude plays indoor soccer. Both kids loved it, which was good, because they have it again this coming week.

Going to see the new Star Wars movie downtown

Then on Wednesday we surprised the kids by taking them to see the new Star Wars movie. Marcy got reserved seating for the matinee show and I took the afternoon off work so we could have a family movie day. While it was a little intense for Anna at times all four of us thoroughly enjoyed the movie.

After the first ski day of the season in Keystone

On Thursday, Christmas Eve, we decided to go skiing. We have people staying at our place in Keystone so we just went up for the day. It was a bitterly cold day but we managed to get a few runs in. And by the end of the day, the kids were back to flying down blue runs.

Getting the goodies ready for Santa and the reindeer

We managed to get home by about 5:30pm and Marcy whipped together some dinner for our annual family Christmas Eve dinner by the tree. The kids were excited to get everything ready for Santa and the reindeer. Jude left his entire gingerbread house out and Anna left her gingerbread cookies and we left some carrots for the reindeers.

Anna playing with some of her toys on Christmas morning

Christmas morning arrived with both kids up early and excited to see what surprises were in store. It was a cold and snowy day, yes we had a white Christmas, so we didn’t venture outside at all. Other than my trip to the Indian restaurant for our traditional Christmas dinner of Indian food – take out this time.

Jude playing with his football helmets – he arranged them for the playoff teams

The weekend after Christmas was pretty quiet. We spent a lot of time at home with the kids playing with their toys. In fact the only times we went out all three days was the trip to Colorado Ski & Golf yesterday for the kids skis and boot and then for a yoga class this morning. It was really nice to have an entire long weekend at home as a family.

Anna “snowboarding” on a sled in our front yard

This week we had the biggest snowstorm of the season with about a foot of snow in Denver. This meant school was closed and the kids had a snow day. They loved it. They played outside with the neighbor kids for a good chunk of the morning doing all kinds of things. Anna and Jude both tried their hand at “snowboarding” down the little hill in our front yard.

The snow day was on Tuesday which was actually Marcy’s birthday. It completely changed our plans for the day – Marcy was going to be spending most of the day at the school for her usual weekly volunteering and I was supposed to fly to Chicago that night. With the weather the way it was I decided to get an earlier flight and so Marcy was left to spend her birthday at home with the kids.

Jude playing the viola during the 3rd grade recital

That night was supposed to be the third grade recital at school but the weather postponed it to the following night. I couldn’t make it but Marcy said it was very sweet and Jude seemed to enjoy himself. He is certainly progressing with the viola and he played some Christmas Carols for me this evening.

Celebrating Marcy’s birthday at Jax

Today, we had the last celebration of Marcy’s birthday. Part of what Marcy wanted was for the whole family to go to the regular Sunday yoga class we often go to. So, we did that and then we went out for lunch. We did not have a family meal on Marcy’s birthday because I had to leave town and we just realized that we had not had a proper celebration for Marcy’s birthday. So, even though we weren’t dressed for it we went to one of Marcy’s favorite restaurants, Jax, for Sunday brunch. It was delicious.

Anna decorating the tree

After lunch we went out to buy a Christmas tree. We got it home where Anna and Marcy, as is their tradition, spent the afternoon decorating it. By the end of the day we had a beautiful tree.

Visiting Santa Claus at Zoo Lights

We are not sure how many more years the kids will want to sit on Santa’s lap but both Jude and Anna were very keen to do so when we visited Zoo Lights recently. Our annual visit usually happens on Christmas Day but this year Marcy secured some free tickets so went in early December.

Riding the train at the school holiday fair (Anna is in the front carriage)

Last weekend was the annual school holiday fair. They have all kinds of crafts and activities for the kids and both Jude and Anna enjoyed it. Although Jude was not in to the arts and crafts as much this year as he was into playing soccer with his friends on the field.

In her Frozen outfit with her new Elsa gloves

Right after the school fair I took Anna to see Disney on Ice and their Frozen show. Anna, being a big fan of the movie, loved the performance with all the ice skaters. As always Disney did a great job. This was a full Anna and Daddy date, so we went out downtown for dinner afterwards. Anna has a favorite restaurant, the Vesta Dipping Grill, we had a lovely dinner there.

Marcy gets some skin cancer removed from her nose

I was in San Francisco this past week but came home in time for Marcy’s surgery. She went in on Thursday to get some skin cancer removed from her nose. The procedure went quite well but Marcy was a little sore and tired afterwards and she has to take it easy for a few days. But they got all the cancer and Marcy should be good to go now. But wearing a bandage on your face is quite the conversation starter.

Anna had her last ice skating lesson for the season, so we all went to see her. I had not seen Anna skate since her birthday and she has really improved – she can skate backwards, on one leg and is so much faster than before.

A cold start to the swim meet

Today was Anna’s last swim meet of the year. Anna and I were up bright and early to get to Westminster pool by 7am, Marcy and Jude came along a little later. It was a very cold morning after the snow yesterday, it felt a little strange for me going to swimming pool in such weather but it very warm inside. And as always Anna enjoyed her races and the whole swim meet experience.