Christmas

Christmas 2009

Christmas morning started around seven for us. I went and got Tally out of her room, and as I was changing Seamus' diaper, she went to see if Santa had come during the night. She came running into Seamus's room yelling, "Mommy, Santa gave me a Barbie! I ask him for a Barbie. He got me a Barbie in my stocking! But last night I didn't hear him." She then led us into the room where the other presents were.

Seamus and Chuck the Truck

Tally and the "swimmin' dog" (Note the dog's swim goggles that Tally is holding in her hand.)

Santa also brought an art easel for Tallulah and a sleeping bag for Seamus. Look closely at the tree. What else did Santa bring to these little munchkins?

Tally now has a (toy) double barrel shot gun, so she doesn't have to use a stick when she goes pheasant hunting with Dad.

Daddy shows Seamus the bolt action on his new (toy ) rifle.

The "swimmin' dog" is now apparently a huntin' dog.

Tally and Barbie.
(Weird little girl, playing with guns one minute and Barbie the next.)

Seamus wasn't sure about the whole stocking thing at first, but once he figured out there were toys (and candy) in there, well he unloaded it in a hurry.

He likes his sleeping bag.

So much, that Chuck the Truck had to sleep in it with him.

Tally opens a present.

Some video of the morning's happenings.

Gifts unwrapped. Must rest. They love these blankies that Aunt Chris made.

Seamus gets a second wind and plays with his train for awhile.

Tally heads outside to see if the reindeer ate their snack while Santa stuffed stockings.

It looks like they did.

Later, after all the presents were unwrapped and everyone was showered and dressed, Grandpa and Grammie showed up with even more loot. Seamus took Santa the Horse ( Tally named it for him. She named hers Bubbles Two.) for a ride while waiting for mom to finish cooking dinner.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!
from our family to yours.
And thank you to all who helped make this Christmas a great one for Tallulah and Seamus.
We are spoiled.

Holiday Season

December, 2009: Before Christmas

Our December has been filled with anticipation!! We have been patiently waiting for Santa. To pass the time, we have been wrapping presents, making cookies, and (of course) skiing. Here Tally and Seamus are supervising Daddy as he makes the "brown" (gingerbread) cookies. Of course, it is important to sample the goods as you make them...

Seamus is serious about his cookie making.

Tally, not so much.

Yes, those are Christmoose cookies and bear and "rein"deer... I think there were even a few loons when all was said and done.

Earlier this month the kids saw their first cross-country skiing of the winter. Man, are they getting HEAVY to pull in the Chariot. (but that's OK, because Shad is the one who usually drags them around.) Every ski trip must begin with a snow angel in the driveway...

Tracks on the golf course.

Tally gets her ski legs under her.

Seamus and the Chariot. He is thinking, "Hey, I could pull this thing. It can't be that hard." And it truly isn't when the thing is empty.

Tally tries some more serious skiing up at Beaver Creek Nordic Ski Area.

Lunch time!! But where is the yurt? All was good. It was a nice warm, non-windy day.

"I want a swimmin' dog and Seamus wants Chuck the Truck"

They sure don't look like they belong on the naughty list, but ....


Mom shows helps Tally figure the whole ice skating thing out.


Practicing "Swirls"

Tally's First Ice Skating Adventure

Seamus steps onto the rink.


Getting ready to put out some "Reindeer food".


Mom's special Reindeer mix, I'm sure will please the resident deer and maybe the neighborhood dogs too!

A Night on the Mountain

Black Friday- Hamilton/ Tinker Style...
Way up in the Mountains!
November 25th, 2009

The whole crew poses for portrait in front of the cabin.

The day after Thanksgiving I thought would be a good day to finally get the whole crew up to the Cabin for a night, before they close all that country down. We'd had quite a dry spell and I figured the roads would permit and weather would hold. The cabin is way up in the Absaroka Mountains above my folk's place on the East Fork of the Wind River. Depending on the weather, it can be tough to get to. Glad everything worked out for this expedition. Remember you can click on any of these pictures to enlarge them. If you click and zoom in on the panoramic at the beggining and look way to the lookers right, you can spot the cabin- the mountains in the background are the Wind River range- more northern end.

Grandpa finds a Christmas tree while Seamus, Tally and Jeep run around.

Seamus helps with the tree.

Tally enjoys the view while playing in the dirt.

Seamus runs around.

The whole crew, Castle Rock in the sunset behind us.

Chompin' down on dad's Whistle Weanie stew. Tally says, "I like weanies!"

A different angle on the dining hall.

Hangin' out after dinner.

Lovin' it!

Seamus get a kick out of crawling under the beds.

Mom fires up some evening entertainment.

Seamus was entertained.

Mandy's Holiday Cabin Concert

(It's embossed because the lighting (a coleman lantern) was really to low for video)


After the concert, the kiddos settled down for the night.

Sweet dreams!

The next morning, after a glass tumbler full of oatmeal, the kiddos played while mom woke up.

It snowed some during the night, Tally and Seamus were quick to track it up!

On the way back down to Grandma and Grandpa's house we saw a "Reindeer" cross the road in front of us.

Rudolph?

We arrived at Grandma and Grandpa's just in time for Tally to ride Tugboat.

Tally like Tugboat. Grandpa likes Tally. Tugboat likes cookies.

One happy camper!