The Polar Express

Two days after Christmas, we drove to Portland to celebrate Christmas with my side of the family. We met my family at Jonny and Amanda's and caravanned out to the Mount Hood Railroad Station to catch the POLAR EXPRESS! Whoa, what a ride! It was magical! Characters from the movie visited each train car. We met the conductor, the hobo, elves and even Santa and Mrs. Claus! We drank hot cocoa while we traveled to the North Pole to ride past Santa's workshop. 

 Granddad, Aunt Kathy, Grammy, Leila, Diane, Chloe and Aylen 

On the train...

Each child was given a bell by Santa. 

Next year we hope Jonny can join us in person! 

We are already planning next year's trip aboard the Polar Express! 

Christmas Eve and Morning

 After we returned home from ice skating, we set to work baking and frosting cookies for Santa. Leila uses almost one jar of sprinkles per cookie…we are still working on less is more! Chris took a nap. 

Chris and Leila tracked Santa throughout the evening and then she started worrying that she should be in bed already. By 8 o'clock she was itching to go to bed. 

 Santa came! 

 Checking out what Santa brought...

After opening gifts, eating our traditional cinnamon rolls for breakfast and watching the Disney parade on TV, we headed over to Gramma and Papa's house for dinner, more presents and White Christmas. 

Christmas Eve Skate

It is official! We have a Christmas Eve Tradition! For the second year we went ice skating on Christmas Eve. The session started a little earlier this year than last, but it fit into our day just perfectly. After lunch, our little family headed over to Sprinker. It was more crowded than last year's Christmas Eve skate, but not too packed. Most people had Christmas attire and colors on and the atmosphere was jolly! Leila did amazing!! She fell a few months ago and has been a little hesitant to get out there again, but she overcame that fear and skated it up!

We don't let her get a slushee when we go skating but we figured it was Christmas Eve…I think this is what gave her the initial motivation to lace the skates up again…the idea that she would get a slushee at Zamboni time. Whatever works, right, to get her over that fear of falling again?!?!

Pre-Vacation Snow!

 We almost had snow on Christmas vacation! The last day of school prior to break, we woke to a little dusting of snow. It was enough to delay school for two hours and to allow for some snow play before school started. I used to love snow delays because Chris and I could sleep in a bit longer, but those days are gone! We are up and out in the snow with Leila as soon as she wakes up. We can't miss the chance…especially with it being just a dusting as it was gone by early evening. 

Leila's snow rabbit she made that morning. 

To make the morning even more special, Leila got to go to school with Chris to ERHS! Morning kindergarten sessions were cancelled with the two-hour delayed start, so rather than taking her to daycare Chris opted to take Leila to school. Save to say she had a great day all around!

Excellent Eagle Award

 The Wednesday before Christmas vacation began, Leila was chosen to receive the Excellent Eagle Award at the school assembly. Each month the teachers recognize 2-3 students per classroom. The teachers select a character trait or academic achievement that the students will be celebrated for. These assemblies are a surprise for the kids, so Leila was not told that she was receiving the award. I took the morning off and Chris found coverage for the morning. It was a "Gramma Day", so Shawn had the day off and was able to come to the assembly too. Mrs. Madsen recognized Leila for her "awesome reading, her helpfulness and for being kind". We couldn't be any prouder of Leila. She is a great reader, loves school and, most importantly, she has a kind heart. 

Chris had to scoot out right after the assembly was finished, but Gramma and I stayed for the refreshments that were offered by the school's PTO. While Leila was eating her treat, I asked if she was surprised. "No, I saw the award on Mrs. Madsen's desk and I read it to myself." Well, there you go…too smart for her own good!