Christmas in Green Bay

 Just four days after returning from Florida, we went back to the airport to fly to Green Bay.  This would be Nora's 19th roundtrip trip, and her second time in first class (this time with her own seat!)  I think we've been traveling too much because after pulling in the garage after daycare one dayearlier that week, Nora told me she didn't want to go home, she wanted to go to the airport!  As though it were just somewhere you go on any old day when you feel like it...  Because we didn't want to have the same conversation over and over until leaving, we didn't tell her we were going anywhere until on our way.  And at that point, we told her we were heading to Millie Puppy's house.  We had been in Utah and Florida in the three weeks prior, so we risked her thinking she was going skiing or to the beach if we said we were going to Nanny and Papa's house!

We had more flight problems and too much time spent at O'Hare Airport with a 2 year old needing a nap...another routing change and we arrived in Appleton (instead of Green Bay) 3 hours later than scheduled.  Nora was less well behaved this time, but things improved once we found an escalator to go up and down for an hour.

We got right into the holiday spirit by going to this obnoxious house in Green Bay and looking at all the lights; Nora loved it!

The next morning we celebrated Christmas (the first of several) with the immediate family.

Always a helper.

Nora loves hot chocolate!

Auntie Claire gave her a manicure for the holiday.

 We enjoyed lunch with Jeff's Grandma Irene, she and Nora were fast friends.

Coloring at the table

 Hamming it up for the camera.

Rudolph family photo



  We also celebrated with my Mom's side of the family.

Nora got a set of cooking utensils  just her size.

She really likes this 'Happy Know It' book.

Nora and second cousin Eli, saying good-bye:)

Second cousins Eli and Charlie, and Great-grandparents.

We also celebrated with some of my Dad's side of the family (sensing a theme here?)  The kids were loving Jingle Bell Rock:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTg4n8bGjko

Second cousins Owen, Gavin and Shamili

Great Grandpa and second cousins Owen, Kyle, Gavin, Gracie and Jack.

There were additional celebrations, but no pictures to share.  Aside from all this Christmas cheer, we went to see the ducks at the Reforestation Camp.

Nora was not nearly as afraid of the ducks as Auntie Claire.



Her first trip to Krolls, mmm...chicken fingers.

Nora, turned 60.

Another great trip for the Koski family!

Family Time in Florida

It seems like so long ago (already) that we enjoyed the sun and sand in Florida in early December!  I am way behind on blog posts, so more to come soon, I hope.

After some frustrating travel delays, a routing change and a two hour drive from Tampa, we finally made it to Ft. Myers about 6 hours later than planned.  Luckily, Nora held it together and tolerated everything fairly well.  Better than her parents at times!  When we arrived we were surprised to find Nanny Barb there; she wasn't planning to be there, but couldn't stand the thought of Nora enjoying Florida without her!

The first morning, Nora had to check out her new 'kini' in the mirror!

She sure loves the beach!

Uncle Bruce was there too for a few days!

Nora and Nanny decorated a Christmas tree; little did we know Croix would be so excited about it when he arrived!

Nanny showed Nora the fine art of decorating Christmas cookies.

She was a pro!  And did lots of finger licking...

There was a lot of coming and going during this trip.  Papa Dan is nearly a permenant fixture during the winter, but Nanny Barb arrived Friday night, Uncle Bruce Saturday, and us on Sunday.  Nanny Carol and Papa Rich came Tuesday and Bruce left Tuesday.  Wednesday meant Nanny Barb had to leave, but Mike, Emily and Croix arrived!

To this point, Nora has called her grandparents Nanny and Papa.  When they were all together, she figured out she had two Nannies and two Papas and quickly learned that everyone had a name.

Nora loves jumping into the pool, but only if she goes all the way under water.  Otherwise she gets upset!

The Koski crew, and Papa Dan.

The next generation of tech-ies...

Nora wasn't excited at first about riding the train at Lakes Park.  She tells me now that she didn't like the driver!?  She returned smiling, and Croix sleeping.

This pretty much sums up Nora at the beach...busy!

Always a helper, even when playing pool.

Kayaking at Bunche Beach

The last afternoon, we went out for happy hour and you have to see this!  Who knew Nora loved live music so much??  Maybe we should be taking her to more concerts!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmU0NEj_X2g

Wouldn't be a trip to Ft. Myers without Love Boat Ice Cream!  Even though Nora had her own, she wanted mine and declared she would 'eat it all gone.'

Oh, and she wanted Papa's too.



Everyone smiles at the Love Boat :)

It was a great trip, lots of family time and smiles!  I already regret that we won't be able to return in the spring-Nora just embraces the pool and beach as much as the snow at home!  Unfortunately, we didn't get many pictures of Nora and Croix together; neither of them sit still long enough to catch, well, except when on their iPads!

Forgot

Yesterday I forgot to post this link to a short video of Nora skiing!

www.youtube.com/watch?v=PCbgzUOtGiI

Thanksgiving 2011

Please excuse the glut of photos; we purchased a new camera and have been awefully snap happy recently!  Jeff, who normally never even picks up the camera, has taken more pictures in the last 1 1/2 weeks than the last year...  Every once in a while, we even take a picture that makes us look like we know what we're doing (which we do not)!

Just hanging out at home.

 Nora loves to wash the dishes, if only they didn't need to be rewashed every time.

She'll even wash the floor if you ask her to.  Unfortunately she is using the washcloth generally reserved for her face.

We have somewhat intentionally shielded Nora from the knowledge that Starbucks serves hot chocolate (and that nearly every restaurant has chocolate milk).  She loves chocolate as much as her parents!  An afternoon walk to Starbucks last weekend found us with Sophie in tow, who is well aware that Starbucks offers delicious treats for kids too.  Since Nora mimicks every one of Sophie's moves, we had to get her her first Starbucks.  She drank every last drop and will remember it is there each and every time we go back!  Good thing it's only occasionally.

As previously mentioned, we drove UT to spend the Thanksgiving weekend with Jeff's parents and brother.  We have so much to be thankful for, and really enjoyed our weekend there.  We couldn't have asked for a better traveler, once again Nora shocked us with her perfect behavior strapped in a car seat for 7 hours each way!!

Thanks to ski equipment from Rich and Carol's friends, Nora had the opportunity to ski three days at Snowbasin!  That's three more days of skiing than her parents have done this year.  I'm not sure who had more fun, Nora or us adults watching her and taking (many) photos!

The first day, she wasn't so sure about it and didn't want to stand up to support her weight.  She started whining, and the whole thing lasted about 5 minutes.

So, we went home and got sled rides from Uncle Scott instead.

And walked around the neighborhood while Carol worked a holiday shift.

It seems we have a photo of Nora playing PlayDoh with everyone these days!

 Day two of skiing went much better.  Nora enjoyed getting pushed around with the Hookease, a children's learning tool invented (and just newly available) by someone Carol knows!

Nora kept looking at the chairlift and telling us she wanted to go on there.  We weren't sure she was ready, but eventually gave it and she went for a ride with Papa.  As he glided her down, she said 'Papa go fast!'

Nora cuddled with Nanny all weekend, including in the lodge.

Day three of skiing was even better.  She got a style upgrade when Nanny bought her these crazy cute goggles!

She took two rides on the chairlift, and even went down using the Hookease both times!

All this skiing leaves a girl tired!

 We also got up close and personal with some chickens that Nora had met last fall while staying with Nanny and Papa.

In addition to all this outside fun, we also saw a holiday parade in Ogden and ate lots of turkey (and the fixings too.)  We're home for just a week, then it's off to Florida for a week!  It will be a while before I can post those pictures, but there will be many I'm sure. 

Happy Holidays!