Its finally at that dreadful moment. The time has come.
The holidays are over. The resolutions ignored.
Well, there are still some leaves to rake.
But it has come time to pack up and say good bye!
It seems like we have called this place home for a long time now. It’s hard to leaf leave!
We have had our share of fun here. We have made a lot of friends.
We have seen this point coming for awhile now. We tried to prepare ourselves the best we could, even with everything going on. We have post-poned, ignored, and then prepared a bit.
But, just like the tides, we have to leave this place behind.
There’s really no getting away from it, the girls are getting older. Dylan will be in school next year! So saying good-bye is our only choice.
This place has been beyond riches and so has everyone we have met here.
Some of you may have seen this before but here is the wonderful story of an amazing pair of kids…ours, put in our lives by the grace of God and a pair of Angels; as retold on “Don’t We Look A Like.com…
WARNING: The following post contains explicit family pictures and videos, some of which may not be appropriate for non-family members or other non-parent followers. Non-parental guidance is suggested.
We all have been busy here in 3D the past 10 days. But the family has gone home. The decorations are down and put away. The tree is by the curb. Which brings us to that special time, the customary Christmas summary.
Our Christmas holiday was a special one this year. My wife and I both agreed it was a great memory: like taking a step out of time, and the hustle and bustle, for some pure joy, fun and relaxation. So I wanted to offer a picture post summarizing some of the joys that made our Christmas special for us.
Christmas this year started the weekend after Thanksgiving when we decked the halls and dressed the tree…
By the following week we were practically ready to welcome Santa.
The joy of the Holiday actually started the week before Christmas. I had a vacation from work that week. So we decided to make an impromptu trip to the zoo one day to see how the animals were going to celebrate Christmas.
By the end of the week, with Christmas only a few days away, the girls were getting pretty excited.
Who does she get this need for attention from we frequently wonder?
Mom says it isn’t much of a mystery.
The Friday, Saturday and even Monday before Christmas the girls received very generous and thoughtful boxes, if not crates, from their two very extra special grandmothers and families.The girls and I are very fortunate to have you in our lives. Really!
Also, the weekend before Christmas my family checked in to our Bed and Breakfast; the REAL Santas. The kids didn’t seem to mind too much.
Christmas eve the girls each had a wee small part in our church’s youth Christmas message. Its OK girls, Arnold Schwarzenegger didn’t have any speaking lines in his first movies and he did OK for himself.
After church we came home, had some snacks, then sent the kids to bed. We told them Santa may visit here later that night. He may even leave them some presents. And that good little girls and boys would be asleep when he arrives…
Christmas morning started calm enough. The girls actually stayed in bed until 7:00am.
That really was NOT me playing with a Winks Club doll!
But then Grandma and Grandpa woke up and the excess began!
Dylan just got wiped out opening so many presents that morning from Santa, Aunts, Uncles, and Grandparents.
The girls got some GREAT clothes, especially dresses this year.
Plus a very special ‘pretend’ dress…
She just told me she looks all grown up in that picture. OMG! Slow down Dylan, slow down!
Two days after Christmas the girls got to wear some of their fantastic new outfits for my parent’s 53 anniversary dinner. They enjoy looking pretty!
Later that week we crammed everyone in a car and made it to our local Festival Of Lights displays at a county park…
The girls ‘ooo’ed and awe’ed’ even though it was a bit chilly…
So we got out of the car and stood by the fire and warmed some marshmallows..
OK they might have had a hard time reaching their stick over the coals. But after a few s’mores and some marshmallows the girls were all sugar primed and ready to have some fun.
So, all in all, the girls had a memorable time it seems. They were all smiles and never looked cuter…
The kids and Santas were all smiles and definitely not disappointed this year!
That is until today…when we had to finally put our tree by the curb.
Everyone here in 3D hopes you had a memorable Christmas too. We extend our best wishes for your best new year yet!
Just hear those sleigh bells jingle and ring, ting, tingle at night.
Such was the case last night. We heard bells in the distance, similar to planes flying overhead. They slowly grew louder until a “thud” hit our roof. We then heard the sounds of hooves and bells among the clatter. Startled, I through open the door to see what was the matter.
The kids noticed the fireplace a cloud of sot coming from it. The mantle rattled and shook. Then down dropped St. Nick. About 10 seconds is all it took.
He smiled and laughed, knowing he got us by surprise. Then he looked at my girls to see if they wanted a ride. They looked at each other and then smiled at me. I thought, “What the heck. Where could this lead?”
Mr. Claus said it was some training for his sleigh and reindeer. “We’re covering the globe but there’s nothing to fear. I want to see the shape of my team. If they are ready for the big trip Christmas eve. Plus, I’ll check on all the animals tonight to make sure they are warm and being treated just right. Dylan and Skylar you can come a long this year. I need the weight of both you plus some cookies packed in the rear. ”
So off they flew, then flew out of sight. I wondered at last, if I can get some sleep tonight.
North America:
First Santa took my girls through the mid west and then to our Rocky Mountains. He found some brown bears playing in the Christmas Spirit. Then, he let my girls ride some trail horses around some mountainous paths.
Australia:
They launched off the mountains and headed southwest to Australia. The girls told me about some baby Koala bears and Kangaroos that they found.
Africa:
The King of Misfit Toys
Next they took off for the plains of Africa. They found the lion watching over his kingdom. Next they saw some monkeys singing Christmas carols. And then some elephants cuddling up for a snack.
I swear that was not my child reaching into the lion’s cage!
He let the kids get out and play while he fed his reindeer team. Then they stopped for a moment to feed some of Santa’s giraffes. When the herd got their fill then off they flew!
North Pole:
My girls told me they LOVED the North Pole. It was not so isolated and bitter cold as they thought but exciting and busy as elves; like a big company getting ready to roll out their next cell phone-mini computer thingies.
Once there, they got out of Santa’s sleigh and were guided around by some elves. They were shown how the toys were made, got to make their own Gingerbread House, that got to play on some of the elves favorite rides like their carousel and tiny train between villages.
What a great day for them! They BELIEVE. Oh yes, they BELIEVE! You could tell by their smiles in the vid. When the fun-filled day was over Santa packed these two girls back in his sleigh and brought them back home. They slept all the way!
Thanks Riverbanks Zoo for wonderful experiences from around the world
Here is a link to get some of their sought after compost, Zoo Poo, effortlessly produced by some of Riverbanks Zoo & Garden’s most famous animals: elephants, giraffes and even zebras! The Zoo Poo is no joke!We watched the elephants make some.
It’s heavy doodie.
DISCLAIMER: No poet was used, tested, or consulted for this story and apologies to Clement C Moore
OUR LIFE IN 3D 