We ended the year 2011 and began the year 2012 in some very memorable ways!
We flew to Colorado on December 17th to celebrate my dad's 60th birthday. The date is now significant for another reason as my Greek grandmother (Yiayia Ella) passed away at about 3 a.m. that very morning. It seemed fitting that we were able to be together with family to celebrate my dad's birth 60 years ago and my Yiayia's first day in the kingdom of heaven (her heavenly "birthday").
We enjoyed a large snow-fall in Colorado and Lukas and Isabel were particularly excited about it. Lukas helped shovel snow and push the snow-blower to help clear 7 people's driveways in one day. As if that weren't enough, on his own initiative, he shoveled snow outside in the backyard to make a large "mountain". Isabel "helped" in her own fashion. We enjoyed a white Christmas Eve and Christmas morning and then flew to Florida to spend time with my dad's family over there.
It was odd to eat Christmas dinner outside in the backyard without any jacket on, but really special at the same time! The kids flit about on riding toys, jumped on the trampoline and played in the sandbox at my aunt and uncle's house. Lukas helped my uncle with yard-work and Isabel spent a lot of time petting their dog.
After a few days, we headed down to the beaches on Treasure Island and the kids traded their snow shovels in for sand shovels. They had a blast playing in the sand, water and sunshine and the adults enjoyed the slower pace and the warm weather too! Lukas enjoyed the trip so much that he still tells me from time to time that he wants to go back to Florida and, frankly, so do I!
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| My dad on his 60th birthday |
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| Taking the 60 candles off of the home-made cake after Lukas helped Grandpa blow out the candles--not that he needed the assistance of course! :-) |
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| We gave my dad a hot air balloon ride that he plans to enjoy this summer |
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| I gave Olli tickets to see the Broncos play the New England Patriots at the Sports Authority Field in Denver |
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| Olli "Tebowing" before the game |
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| Here we are in the stadium just before the game started |
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| The entire family together to remember my Yiayia's life and how much she meant to us |
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| The "workers" out shoveling snow |
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| They're proud of their accomplishment so far |
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| The littlest worker |
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| Shoveling sand together |
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| Lukas was always at work building something |
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| Isabel's "beach model" pose :-) |
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| Lukas' "beach model" pose :-) |
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| Dad and his girls |
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| The family celebrating my dad's birthday again at Bubba Gumps Restaurant |
2 comments:
Great pictures of the sand and snow! We had a blast with you all this Christmas. I didn't know Olli tebowed outside the stadium. :) He looks so happy to be at the game; what a nice wife to buy him those special tickets!
I'm so sorry to hear about your Yiayia's passing Lauren. It's always great seeing how big your adorable kiddos are getting!
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