winter sun

Whenever Orson & I see a break in the winter rain we try to run outside... 

sometimes we get lucky and enjoy some sun...

happy birthday great-grandma!!!

Happy Birthday Great-Gram!  We love you!

happy birthday uncle todd!

Happy Birthday Uncle Todd!  Hope you have a great day!!!

living room fun

To amuse ourselves in the winter weather, Orson & I have been building forts in the living room... 

 But we put the couch back together when the packages full of Christmas gifts arrived from the farm (thank you!) 

Included in the boxes was the teepee/tent from Aunt Kristin & Uncle Todd...

It's in our living room where the tree once sat... fun!

on the road... and back again!

As we left the farm to catch our flight in Chicago, we stopped by the Onkka's to say hello...

When we got to Chicago we discovered our flight was cancelled due to fog.  So, we spent the night with Grandma Sarah & Grandpa David and headed back to the farm...

Grandma was all smiles...

We crashed the farm's New Year's Eve party...

There was enough delicious food for all...

Thank goodness Orson packed a dress shirt (he's always ready for a party!)

After the party, Orson helped Grandma clean up...

Grandma left the tree(s) up for Orson to enjoy...

Grandma & Orson read a few books before we hit the road again...

On our way out of town, we again stopped by to see the Onkkas...

Orson was a trooper with all the traveling...  (look at his hat, it was Byron's!)

Thank you families for the wonderful hospitality!

farm music

Orson discovered the music room hidden in the farm's basement...

christmas on the farm...

After spending Christmas Day at the lake we drove quickly to the farm to see Grandpa Bruce, Grandma Judy, Uncle Kent, & Aunt Nikki...

Orson was happy to open more presents...

Orson & Nikki exchanged gifts...

Orson was always willing to help people open their presents...

Grandma gave Orson some great gifts...

I'd say his favorite present was this Thomas the Train rolling suitcase/backpack (Orson takes it everywhere)...

Daddio, Orson, & Uncle Kent got in some quality music time...

Cousins Johnny & Jack arrived and Jack was as silly as Orson remembered...

                                      

We opened more presents with Uncle John, Aunt Sherri, Johnny & Jack...

Grandpa snuggled with his growing grandsons...

Jack loves trains as much as Orson does...

They set up Jack's train in the basement...

Great-Aunt Joyce arrived the next day and we opened more gifts!

We also had wonderful family time...

Patsy dropped by to see Orson...

Orson showed Patsy his new train set...

We had a great time on the farm... 

christmas day

Orson woke up nice & early on Christmas morning...

He instinctively knew the stocking with the puppy was his... (look at Millie checking out Orson's new friend)

Uncle Todd helped Orson set up the train...

Grandma & Orson opened a fresh new set of cars from Santa...

Orson got ready for the Christmas party... (yes, thanks to grandma, his socks matched his vest)

Grandpa & Orson had some silly time before family arrived...

Great-Grandma Helen, Grandpa, Great-Aunt Mary, & Great-Uncle John gathered for a picture...

We were so happy to see Sam & Stephanie...

It's always good seeing Great-Grandma...

Everyone sat down for the feast...  (except Orson & I, we played in the living room)

After eating, Orson handed out the presents...

 

 It was great spending Christmas with the family...

up next... christmas on the farm!

traveling to chicago and lake geneva!

We started out our holiday trip in Chicago.  Orson loved spending time reading and playing with Grandma...

Grandpa was always ready to goof around...

Aunt Marty came over every afternoon...

We enjoyed time with family...

Off we went to Lake Geneva.  Orson played in the snow for the first time, after this he agreed to wear a hat and mittens...

 Orson quickly adjusted to life at the lake...

"What do you mean Lucy's not allowed on the couch?"

Uncle Todd & Orson are both early birds and spent mornings being silly together...

Aunt Kristin knew how to make Orson giggle...

Aunt Tristan had a few gifts for the family...

Grandma & Aunt Kristin suited Orson up for a walk in the snow...

Orson brought a shopping cart and a bumble bee along on the adventure...

Orson loved the cold weather and the snow...

Here's Grandma, Cousin Millie, & Orson out on the frozen lake...

The cold weather was tiring...

There's nothing like the thought of presents to wake a kid up!

Christmas Eve with the sisters...

Orson's first gift of the night... an orange monster from Aunt Kris & Uncle Todd (we named him "Herman").

Daddio & Orson opened a few gifts...

Orson had a very "Thomas" Christmas...

Every gift was treasured (and Orson got a lot of gifts!)...

 

Orson loved handing out the gifts, here's a video...

After gifts, Orson shared some ice cream with Grandma...  with Lucy & Millie looking on...

Aunt Marty helped wrangle Orson toward the bathtub...

Orson ended the night singing carols in the tub...

up next... Christmas Day and the Farm!