Tuesday, December 30, 2008

A Griswald...I mean Jordan...Christmas

We had an exciting first this week, people actually came to see us for Christmas, making Simon's first Christmas, one at home. Shane's immediate family came from Oklahoma and Kansas all the way to Telluride to share a great weekend in Telluride. We were joking before they got here that the gathering may resemble the Griswald chirstmas vacation, but I think in the end we all had a great time and things went fairly smoothly. After a bit of a scary weather forecast (a prediction of a nearly untravelable blizzard conditions) on Friday when most of the group got in, the rest of the trip was filled with blue sky sunny days.

Simon and his cousin Matthew


On Friday we went to Norwood, about 45 minutes away, to go on a horse drawn sleigh ride. There was a fresh blanket of deep snow and the setting was breathtaking. In the middle of the ride the sleigh got stuck and everyone (about 12 people total) except Laura and Simon had to get off of the sleigh in about 2 feet of snow so that Rowdy (the driver) could get the sleigh turned back around and on track. While he was turning the sleigh it nearly tipped over causing all of the spectakers to take a deep breath as they watched mamma hold her baby tight and fight the tip of the sleigh. Later Simon told me that he really like it :) Really he slept very soundly nearly the whole ride, to wake up just as we got back to the barn for some hot cocoa, where he enjoyed looking at the hundreds of photos that Rowdy had stapled to the ceiling of the office at the barn. Shane, Laura and Simon (in the blanket) on the Sleigh ride

Grace, Aunt Jamie and Matthew on the Sleigh ride

the whole group with the lead horses

Simon and Aunt Jamie at the Lone Cone for lunch after the sleigh ride

Simon really liked having fun with his cousins Matthew and Grace

On Sunday most of the group headed for Town Park to Firecracker Hill for some good old fasion sledding. Kids never grow up sometimes. Jamie and Adam are in the photo above.
Shane and Matthew

Shane showing his balancing skills
Matthew, Adam and Grace
After sledding they rode up to Mountain Village where Matthew got to jump on the trampoline bungee thing.
Matthew getting some air

Cousins

We spent a lot of time in the living room on the couch. Good thing we just got a new large couch this year!

Mimi, Papa and the Grandkids

making cookies with Grandma

Matthew on the Kids Hill

Monday we headed for the slopes where we fought the crowds on the busiest day of the ski season. Boy can we tell our age after a few runs...we sure were sore that night.
Adam and Matthew

Shane and Laura

Sweet Smiley Simon

Simon and Gracie spent the day with Grandma while the rest of the group was on the mountain

Simon and Papa

Simon and Matthew

Simon and Mimi

Simon and Adam

Simon and Grandma


We have an icredibly tolerant baby boy and he did great meeting all of these new people, still taking naps and sleeping well and letting everyone play with and hold him. He was even really patient during the photo session on Monday night. We sure hope our guests had as much fun as we did and that someday they may actually want to come back!

3 comments:

Skip, Stephanie, Emerald, Calvin, and Zachary said...

It looks like Simon had an amazing time with his family! I bet he is gearing up to hit the slopes soon, too. Simon sure is getting smiley these days. I can't wait to squeeze you in my arms little one. Give a great big smile to mom and dad for me. Love, Aunt Steph and Uncle Skip.

Panky's Place said...

Br-r-r, looks cold but fun, and I'm sure the warmth of family made it ever so precious and memorable. We'er so glad you were able to have Shane's family there to share Simon's first Christmas. Simon is getting more and more animated; he should be loads of fun in February on his first visit to KS (Pop-pop can't wait to meet him). Have a very Happy New Year! :-)
Love,
Nana

Jamie Gabriel said...

We had a Blast! Thanks for hosting us and for all the adventures, the great food, the warm cozy house, the sweetest baby in the world to hold and the fun family bonding!! Love the Gabriels