Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Mammoth!

We've had a great time up in Mammoth. This is our first family vacation with just the four of us, and we're thinking this could be an annual tradition. Jack has had such a great time playing in the snow. Luke isn't so sure of it, but he's battling a head cold, so he's really been happiest hanging out in the "snow house" (as Jack likes to call the condo). On our first full day up here, we put Luke in baby daycare and headed to ski school with Jack. Nick and I both wanted to see how he did, so we hung out and watched all morning.











Jack's ski school. His instructor's name is Chris, and there were 2 other 3 1/2 year olds in his class. One of the kids had been skiing 3 other times, but the other little guy was a first-timer like Jack.




Too cool!


Jack announced it was time for snow angels and then hit the ground. He LOVES making snow angels.

Jack is number "21"

Instructor Chris leading the ski train.


Jack with one ski. That really threw him off, since he wanted 2 skis, but the point was to have them get their balance and remain in control on 1 ski first. He tumbled over and couldn't get up on his own, which scared him and was the beginning of the end of his time on skis. His classmate, Noah (also a 1st timer), was on the verge of his own little meltdown, so between them Chris had his hands full. Poor guy- it takes A LOT of patience to teach preschoolers to ski!

Heading up the hill.


Riding up the magic carpet. He's leaning against Instructor Chris.

We woke up Wednesday morning to snowfall, so we had a pajama day by the fire. Once the snowfall started slowing we headed outside to play. Luke wasn't such a fan, so he only lasted 5 minutes before I had to take him inside for a nap. Luckily, I was able to see Jack and Nick from the balcony!


Here's Luke during his meltdown. He was riding in the tobaggon, which tipped over. He had snow in his face, which he was NOT a fan of.

It's always a good time for snow angels!

That's a lot of snow!


The snow was coming down pretty good here!

Friday, December 25, 2009

Merry Christmas

What a wonderful Christmas we've had with family. Our celebration started Christmas Eve, since we knew Christmas morning would be consumed with Jack and Luke opening their presents from Santa. Having a hunch what would be in their stockings, we knew once they (well, really Jack) opened those gifts the rest of the world would disappear...
Our cozy fire Christmas morning...
Ok, it wasn't real. But it did come with nice "life like" sound effects! With the volume up, it sounded like there was a forest fire in our living room!

Cheryl and Ernie brought over special gifts for Jack and Luke.

Batmobile! Perfect!

Cool cars and trucks!

No, he's not spoiled. Ok, he is, but he's not rotten :)

Luke did a good job opening his gifts!

Yummy chocolate covered graham cracker!

HUGE stockings, courtesy of Grandma Stow.

The (in)famous Mickey Mouse radio. See blog from Santa's visit for explanation. Jack pretended to call Santa the day before Christmas, and then informed me that Santa's elves were working on his Mickey Mouse radio. Glad to see they finished in time!

Ohhhhh.....the Batcave! complete with all accessories. Jack didn't say much to us for the rest of the morning- he was too busy playing!

Jack and Nana

Cool new motorized Batmobile from Uncle Alan!

Corn crab! Excellent, and way less messy than a sand box! Thanks Grandpa and Nana!

Luke didn't mind being burried by Jack.

Jack making "corn" angels!

Crabby.

Monday, December 21, 2009

Special Guest

The Gisler family tradition lives on! We were excited to have Santa drop by the house to visit the boys (Jack and Luke, as well as Zak, Josh and Nathan!) Before Santa's visit we had a gift exchange with the Del Vecchio's (thanks to Jody for the pictures- I stole them from her blog :) )
Seems like Zak likes his new Star Wars tent- it will make a good home for the "Star Wars Guys!" Jack loves his new Batmobile/plane!
Luke and Josh work as a team. They also took turns chewing on the Lego parts that came with Luke's cool new truck.




For now, Josh was more interested in Luke's box than his new guitar.

The boys had to start singing Christmas carols to get Santa to come. They did pretty good with Jingle Bells (twice!) and Santa Claus is Coming to Town... (3 songs, in keeping with Gisler tradition, according to Tiffany!) Luke is in the background checking out the Star Wars tent. He has to wait until the big boys are occupied in order to get a good look!

"I can hear him!"

Santa Arrives!

Zak went first, and did a great job telling Santa about all the things he wants for Christmas!

Nathan brought his letter to Santa.

Jack was excited. After weeks of telling us that he wants the Batcave and Robin for Christmas (which is what he wrote in his letter to Santa weeks ago!), he switched up on us and told Santa that he wants a Mickey Mouse radio. Where did THAT come from? That's exactly why I wanted Santa to visit well before Christmas- so that there's time to respond. Now his elves need to get busy finding a Mickey Mouse radio! The funny thing is right before Santa got there, Jack told me he was going to ask for the Batcave and Robin. So this REALLY threw us for a loop.


Luke did good with Santa, but didn't have much to say.

Josh wasn't so sure about this bearded stranger...

Santa's helper was Tiffany, who carried Santa's bag of goodies for the boys. The boys were very excited about their gifts- they were very on point. Jack has been playing with Wolverine all weekend and refers to it as the special toy Santa brought him :)