A Christmas Travelogue, Part I

So, howsabout some more Christmas?

The problem with procrastinating a big entry is that I end up with a lot of pictures and minimal motivation to actually bore you with all the details; I don't like ending up with super long posts. So maybe I should stop yammering and just get to the good stuff.

Show Low Christmas

I have never actually spent a Christmas in Show Low, so it was fun to do the rural, snowy adventure thing. We were fortunate to have pretty clear roads driving there and back. Dane loves walking in the snow, dipping his finger in, licking the bits of snow stuck to it, and saying "It's cold!" or "It's crunchy!" depending on his mood. There was plenty of snow for him to enjoy.


(He is largely anti-glove. The snow doesn't stick to his fingers as well with glove on.)






We also did some fun three- and four-wheeling. And some of Dane sitting in a golf cart pretending to drive.





The vehicles had been sitting, unused, for many months, so they took some effort to get started. Joel had to use the pull start for a while, and I told Dane it's a good thing Daddy's so strong so we can ride the "car". Later, once we'd made it to the top of Ski Run Hill, Dane pulled on the cord and said, "I'm being strong."





One of the perks of rural malehood:


Christmas Eve, we acted out the Nativity. Dane lasted only a few minutes being a shepherd, but we were able to get a picture of him being sore afraid.


Then, I had him open his Christmas pajamas, or what he calls his Squeaky Mouse Jamas.

Here he is Christmas morning, discovering the Toy Story RC car Santa brought him.

Woody and Buzz have enjoyed many rides on "Woody Rocket".

Dane also set a record for the world's slowest removal of stocking treats.

He's not asleep, he's trying to peek inside.
He also received some awesome red high-top Converse from Grandma, who got herself a pair of her own.

Perhaps a highlight of Dane's entire Christmas was seeing some of the old farm equipment out on the ranch. We'd passed by some during the four-wheeler ride, and when we got back, Dane cried and cried for the tractor. As we headed back to Utah, we stopped to make Dane's wildest dreams come true.
"Big tractor"

"Yatta!"

"Mater" (I think Dane is referring more to the rustiness rather than the dumptruckness, since Mater is, of course, a tow truck.)

"A bus"

As we drove home, we hailed the wonder of a portable DVD player and powdered donettes.

We had a wonderful Christmas in Show Low. We're grateful to Laurie Jayne and Adam for opening their home to us and letting us eat their food, to Mom for being such a fun host/cook and letting us use her car, Allen and Monique for coming in from Albuquerque to see us, and Jake for growing a disgusting mustache.