Christmas House

Pretty sure Nana started decorating for Christmas back in September to have it looking like this by the time we arrived. Just made me want to take my stuff down right when we got home and try again next year with less crappy stuff.

How nice of Nana to let Emily help decorate too.

Rest of the trip

 Most nights we woke up to Emily yelling because Patrick had rolled on top of her or else had his feet in her face. They are spoiled by their own rooms at home.

 Anthony and Bridget took the girls ice skating in Charlottesville where I hear the hockey player did not adjust well to figure skates… toe pick?

 So much easier for them to go without the littles. I had them at the Discovery Museum which is later in this post.

 Where the magic happens… Bold Rock. Can't wait to see their new restaurant next time we get back.

 Yep, just load up the pallet and take it to our car...

 Nana and Pops kept the kids for us so we could all go celebrate Caroline's birthday on the 26th.

 Leo finally shaved! Probably because Ashley was coming.

 Sean had the best meal, pork chop something. It was all local, farm to table, dishes.

 This is at the Charlottesville Discovery Museum which the kids loved the summer we spent in Virginia. Patrick remembered the cars and spent most his time building and racing them.

 Emily was in this little cabin/farming area and she had the stuff chickens "fighting". I tried to rustle up some kids to bet on it...

 This is the kind of toy that is awesome unless you have it at home, then it is boring.

 Oh yes, the main point of going to Charlottesville was to meet up with Megan and Jeremy and their awesome boys. Last time I saw them, they only had Owen. Elliot joined their family shortly afterwards and it was nice to see that little Facebook celebrity in person finally.

 Elliot hiding behind the water bottles and Five Guys burgers.

 Patrick's favorite meal… had it a few more times on the drive.

 The merry-go-round outside the Discovery Center, the other kids on here belong to the bearded lady. See, I did take some photos of my kids too!

Okay, this just made us laugh… KFC "Yum!" Center. In case you aren't sure what to think of KFC, remember, it is YUM!

Ski time

Wintergreen doesn't always have snow on the slopes at Christmas but we got lucky this year. There was enough snow for the kids to go to ski school on Monday and Tuesday and then by Thursday the adults joined them as conditions were much better then. I went up for lunch and to take photos

 Sean borrowed enough random gear from other people to make it through. He rented equipment of course, this was no time to be learning how to snow board on Leo's board. Notice lack of snow in the parking area. This is actually ideal, much easier to get around when the only snow was made for the slopes...

 I didn't take this, but apparently they found time for snacks inside.

 Pops, happy to have another generation to ski with now.

 Anna in ski school.

 Pops, Andy, Sean, Bridget, Anthony (no helmet?!) and Caroline. A rainbow selection.

 Emily was old enough for ski school but it wasn't worth the pain or money to put her in this time. So she came up for lunch with her flying horse and fashion boots.

 Sean taking the girls out of ski school to hit the slopes with him. Anna was a daredevil and would shoot straight down the hill. He's not sure what happened but at the end she collided with a snow boarder and they were both sprawled out with some other dads waving arms to get attention. They were fine and I'm guessing Anna just barreled into him.

 Here he is, Pops and the next generation.

 Patrick and Nicholas still in ski school. They were like ducks waddling down the hill to the next practice area.

Post-ski hot tub time. No bears in sight!

More Christmas photos, wheeee!

 Sienna and Emily helped with decorating cookies and eating frosting. Christmas eve in full swing.

 Oh wait, nap first.

 Emily doing some journaling it appears.

 Leo, home from the mountain, I was trying to capture the knickers look but it didn't turn out.

 Bridget and Anthony, prepping for a May 2014 wedding. Glad Christmas chaos didn't scare him off!

 Missing some photos from Christmas eve, we are skipping right to Christmas morning now. Santa didn't spend much on Emily and she didn't seem to notice. We already own all girl toys, not much left to get her besides some My Little Pony figures. She also requested "room decor". It seems I haven't done much to her bedroom since we moved in...

 Christmas morning tree

 Patrick discovering that Santa was there. Unfortunately Santa forgot to write his annual note to the kids, there were some cocktails on Christmas Eve...

 But who cares about a note from Santa when you get some huge Lego thing. Ages 12 and up, have fun  helping, Santa!

 Anna wanted an underwater camera and Santa found one at the resort shop, a last minute save.

Nicholas and his saxophone. Let the record show, his parents purchased this for him.

Cast of characters and food

 Leo, during some time off from the mountain.

 Pretty rare for the brothers to get to watch football together.

 Anna working the bar, although these customers didn't tip so she wasn't happy to serve them endless shots of orange juice.

 Sienna, working the lights.

 Eating outside for the German dinner.  Emily and Nicholas kind of confused by all this.

 Bundle up baby, it's cold outside.

 No surprise here, Megan taking a phone break inside.

 Blanket, that's the way you do it.

 Alcohol also helps. especially the warm wine.

 Oh look, I was there too.

 Hot food, that's why we all braved the elements.

 I forget the name of this German soup but I know I liked it better without potatoes this year.

 I missed the photo where Sean had the blanket up around his head too. No longer a fan of the cold, we are getting old.

Oh, my favorite German sausages which are hard to find. Aldi has them twice a year and I actually made the effort to go this year but still missed out. Feel free to leave comments about the details I forgot.