"Dinner with Animals" video

This is pretty typical dinner conversation. Never mind the rice pudding on Maya's face, we do wash her...occasionally...

Colorado: Christmas Day

This year's Christmas was very memorable. To be in Colorado and to have so much of the Higgins clan together was an amazing treat.

In our Christmas uniforms.

After opening stockings, Maya and Santi go sledding.

Oscar provides the horsepower.

Maya in her saucer with Daddy.

We wander down to the frozen pond to take part in the combination sport of sled-skating...or something like that.

Is this a sport or just a bad idea?

It's getting a little cold out here.

Just after lunch, Coco and Uncle Nate arrived. Hooray!

Then it was time for the highly anticipated opening of the gifts.
Katie, Susie, Oscar and Marimar watch Santi playing with his new watch (or more specifically, the watch box).

Mommy acted as Santa's elf, distributing presents.

Lulu and Lizzie.

Pop.

Nate's first Christmas with the Higgins clan.

Maya delivers some presents in her new tutu and hair clip from Great Aunt Susie.

There was a major 'first' this Christmas. Gram and Grandpa (who had wanted to be in Colorado this Christmas) embarked on their very first video chat. It was so special to get to see them even though they were in New York. Grandpa said, "I don't know how this is all working, but I've got to say, this is quite amazing."

Then it was time for dinner, crowns and all!

Followed by cousins in a bath...too cute.

Merry Christmas from Colorado.

Colorado: Christmas Eve Traditions

This Christmas celebration was particularly exciting because so many family members came together. We hung 14 stockings over the fireplace for the entire Higgins clan including the Gill/Higgins family who came down all the way from Bozeman. Gram and Grandpa were supposed to have been in Colorado, but health issues prevented the trip so we put up two honorary stockings for them, too. Grandpa would traditionally read "The Night Before Christmas" aloud each year. This year Pop took over that job and read the story to Maya and Santi.

Stocking-o-rama.

Our Christmas tree, cut from the hillside behind the house.

This looks like a very calm and magical reading of "The Night Before Christmas"...

...then Maya puts on Santi's shoes, Santi starts collecting pillows...

....and, finally, Maya and Santi pile pillows on Pop and pound on them. They weren't exactly riveted by the classic story.

Merry Christmas Eve!

Colorado: SNOW!!!

Maya got to experience snow for the first time and loved it!

Maya marvels at the snow outside.

Maya takes her first walk in the snow.

Lulu, Maya, and Daddy at Evergreen Lake for ice skating (in our case, sliding on ice with boots).

Daddy makes it snow on Maya.

Yay snow!

Airborne!

Colorado: White Christmas

Much of the Higgins clan decided to rendezvous in Colorado for Christmas this year. We didn't want to miss out, so we made a short trip to Colorado for the big event. During the first couple days, we got to say hello to some of our favorite friends.

Regan and Travis.

Momma and Regan, her friend for over 20 years.

Maria and Isabelle came up to visit and made funny monkey faces with Maya.

Maya and Isabelle.

Lots of love!

Just Maya.

Random Pre-Chrismas Excitement

Here are a couple shots illustrating how we spend our days leading up to our Christmas trip to Colorado:

Nick and Maya on the holiday train at the zoo.

Maya dressed up as...something.

Gingerbread House

In the spirit of the holiday season (and just because it's fun to make houses out of candy), we signed up for gingerbread house making at the Bay Area Discovery Museum. Nick and his family signed up too. Fun!

Construction begins.

Maya spreads frosting on the roof.

Maya's house is looking more and more delicious.

Nick's family took a more Gaudi-esque approach and try to cover every square inch with candy.

Gingerbready goodness.

Merry Christmas!

Maya's second annual visit with Santa...

Our little girl has grown up a lot since last year. Her relationship with Santa seems to be improving too.

"Butterflies Song" video

Maya demonstrates her singing and songwriting ability with a this new song. The fabulous fashion choices were also made by her...

Mexico: La Esquina, Rangers, and Goodbyes

Our time in Mexico was over too fast. Here are few parting images from this year's adventure:

Oscar and Marimar's cafe, La Esquina, is a wonderful meeting spot. On this day we got to see Oscar's family and enjoy a delicious breakfast.

Maya washes Pop's Ranger (which Maya calls 'the tractor').

Nice work, Maya!

On our last night we ate dinner at Marimar's house, Lulu and Pop somehow manage to get both grandchildren to sit still for a photo.

Alas, it was time to go home. Maya shows her excitement about spending time at the Cabo airport. What a great trip!