The Train

My Grandpa bought this train when my mom was a young girl. Ever since I can remember he set it up for Christmas around the living room at my Grandparents home. I have very fond memories of playing the train. Grandpa at the controls as we loaded it up with wood pieces. Watching it go behind the couch and around the room. Great memories.

This spring Grandpa passed away. Just about the same time Quint fell in love with trains.

This Christmas, my mom borrowed the train from Grandma. I know Quint's Great-Grandpa would have loved to see Quint's joy when he plays with the train. I have countless memories of my fabulous Grandpa, but this Christmas his train is a great one.

The Train

Uncle Dave and Quint playing with the train

The boys, and the train (notice the block tunnel)

Quint examining were to load the train....

Grandpa and Granma always had the train going around the living room, it was fancy. This is our first time, we kept it simple.

Santa

We went to the mall and did the Santa thing. I never questioned it as a child but it is a little weird. The boys are normally very smiley but they were a bit strange with Santa. We don't emphasize the Santa part of Christmas too much but we thought we would try out the mall Santa thing. I am not sure I am very into it....

Here are the pics:)

Quint checking out Santa

(I think his beard was real!)

Santa was not a very big hit.....

We live in a Winter Wonderland!

We live where the blizzard hit:)

Over a foot of snow means we have been snowed in. It is tricky being trapped in the house, but the snow is gorgeous, and the boys love it. When Bk left for school in the morning he threw a snowball at the window and Quint and Russell thought it was the funniest thing ever.

Later that day Quint was so jazzed to go out and play in the snow. We didn't last long with the negative wind chill numbers, but we had fun while we were out there.

I know in March I may not be raving about the snow, but who doesn't love a white Christmas!

View out our window

Quint playing in the snow

Daddy and Quint brave the cold together

Quint playing in the blizzard!

Picturesque

Trees in our neighborhood covered in snow

Thanksgiving in CA

It was crazy. Drive to Chicago, fly to CA, drive all over the state to see friends and family, fly back to Chicago, and drive back to Iowa. If it ever occurs to you to do this with two babies...don't. Especially if they are sick. But, that being said, we had a great time seeing people we love.

Stop 1-Visiting Bel and Jen

Russell was fascinated by the sand

Quint was intrigued by the waves (and still talks about them)

the must have family beach pic

Momma, Daddy and our little lover

BK and Bel

Bel and Jen (our fabulous friends)

It was great to see Bel and Jen. So great to see friends and pick up right were you left off. They were so wonderful with the boys too:) But, before nap time we packed the car and headed to Fresno for

Stop 2-Fresno (The other Richardsons, and "the guys")

Aunt Sandy is an amazing cook, the boys got in on the action

Quint and Aunt Sandy making frosting

Uncle Paul with the boys

Family dinner, it was a feast and full of sweet family time

Quint made a new friend, Maggie

Russell was not so sure of Maggie but loved the attention from Uncle Paul and Aunt Sandy

Fun in Fresno, picking delicious fruit on the side of the road

The boys looking for a good one:)

BK with some of his best friends.

Sunday morning we said goodbye to Aunt Sandy and Uncle Paul, and Fresno. We made the familiar drive to Sacramento and waved out the window to Davis. We spent the rest of our trip in Lincoln at Grandma Sylvia's house with BK's sister Stephanie, her husband Bobby, the boys only true cousins, Grace and Katie. The boys were sick which was a huge bummer, but we still managed to get in some bonding time:) Some highlights, we managed to get a family picture, Bobby took Grace and Quint to the fire station (he is a real firefighter in VA). We made it to the CA train musuem (Quint was in heaven). We celebrated two birthdays in the group. We were blessed with a visit from Gloria and Jess, and Kristin and Andy.

Stop 3-Grandma Richardson's house

The whole family. We may live in three different time zones but we look good together:)

Bobby turned 26

Grandma Sylvia celebrated another year:)

How wonderful that Kristin, Andy, Gloria and Jess could make it for dinner!

Grace and Quint explore the fire truck

Quint and Uncle Bobby at the fire station

Uncle BK and Grace bonded.

She calls him "a tall drink of water"

All the cousins