Santaland 2014

Just in time for Christmas we took Anders to see Santa. He hated it. Specifically the Santa part. 

Refusing to go near the man with the weird harness. 

Things devolved into a family picture as Anders tried to climb Ryan. 

He did, however, perk right back up as soon as we moved to the next room. 

Watching a train from the front window. 

Watching the kids behind him. 

We took the escalator 5 stories up and down for more laughs. And finished up our downtown adventure with a quick visit to Pioneer square and it's very large Christmas tree. 

I think it's safe to say that Anders has no grasp on why there are so many "Kristin" lights aka Christmas lights, who Santa is or why we have a tree in our living room suddenly. We're still all in on the holiday but it's definitely the last year we'll get away with no Christmas presents or stockings!

Mmmmm, good!

Anders loves a veggie scramble (for today at least). I got the highest and first praise of a meal from him, "mmmmm, good!" My heart just melted. 

Oh Christmas Tree

Christmas was in full effect this weekend. That and cleaning up our house so it didn't look like it should be on an episode of hoarders. On Saturday we popped up to the top of Skyline Blvd to find our perfect tree. 

Playing hise and seek among the trees. 

Then "we" decorated it. Anders didn't totally understand how to get the ornaments to stay once placed on the tree. Thanks god I bought some plastic ornaments last year!

(That's right. That's a lollipop. We buckled. Not our proudest moment.)

Rushin' to the Russian River

Ryan, Anders, Hazel and I headed to guernville, CA to celebrate thanksgiving with Meme, Joe, Greta and Gaga. We rented a lovely house along the river. 

It was a looong drive. We left at nap time on Wednesday and Anders quickly passed out. 

We drove to Blind Beach one morning,

and took in some amazing views. 

(Glamour shot)

Discipline on the trail. I'm waiting for and apology. 

The house had a couple kayaks. Ryan and I enjoyed a quiet trip upriver. 

Getting ready for bed and a game of Balderdash.

Anders wearing a sweater my mom made me when I was three. Greta was wearing a special sweater, too. 

Three generations. 

The very dry riverbed. 

In the foothills of Mt Shasta, with another 5 hours to go, we got out and raced around.