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.