First Colorado Christmas

It's always a little bit sad when the Christmas season comes to an end, especially when family lives so far away. Our first Christmas in Colorado was wonderful. My memories include taking the girls skiing with my dad, a family hike up the Flat Irons, a evening out with Mollie and Caine (where Toby ordered Caine the infamous "leather belt" scotch that didn't have him feeling too well the next day), a two-hour Michael Jackson dance party with the cousins, a freezing cold Christmas day walk where a bald eagle swooped overhead, high tea at the St. Julien with the girls, and a full day at the Denver Nature and Science Museum. The Christmas spirit all-star award clearly goes to my brother-in-law, Caine, who drove all the way from North Carolina to be with us on Christmas day. Colorado proved to be a great place for family to visit. I only wish it were about 20 hours closer to the east coast.

Happy holidays to everyone!

Oh, the weather outside is...pleasant?

This afternoon, the girls and I went to a holiday cookie exchange. When we walked into Sarah's house, we were greeted by a familiar scene - a tree with lights and a table covered with holiday cookies. The kids ran around, high on sugar, as we sat on the couch and chatted about, amongst other things, an upcoming Christmas party and a holiday lights show.

Walking to the party, I didn't think twice about our surroundings, but walking home after enjoying such classic holiday scene, I was suddenly struck by the weather. Lucy and Evie ran and scootered ahead of me in shorts and t-shirts while I pushed a barefoot Noni in the stroller wearing flip-flops, jeans and a tank top. When the girls stopped to marvel at a house decorated in over-the-top Christmas lights, I took in the sight of the dark palm trees towering over the festive house. We are about to experience our first California Christmas and, frankly, I love it.

My mom sent me photos today of her two dogs sleeping amidst a pile of cotton, torn out from pillows that had been lying on the floor. She titled it "photos from a rainy day rampage" and it suddenly brought to mind afternoons inside our house with the girls going stir crazy, the weather too cold for them to play outside. There have been times in my life when I've really appreciated cold weather. I love snowboarding and cross country skiing. I also love the feeling of a warm fire and cup of tea after a brisk walk in the cold. With kids though, the romance of the cold quickly disappears when you've spent three days cooped up indoors. I remember one winter in DC when Lucy was a baby and we were literally snowed in the house for days. I turned on the television, put Lucy in the Bjorn and walked up and down the stairs over and over, hoping that it would stir up some endorphins to help me get through the day.

I think it's clear from my post about Frederick that I miss it back east and will always be an east coaster heart. But there are some things I do love about Los Angeles. The weather in December is definitely one of the things at the top of that list.