Christmas in Colorado

We went to Colorado to spend Christmas with the Lewis side of the family. We weren't sure if we were going to be able to make it. Bailey got sick a few days before, runny nose and fever. Then the night before we were supposed to fly out, we found ourselves in the emergency room. Bailey's fever suddenly became a lot higher, and she started acting very lethargic ...just wanting to lie in my arms. We tried taking her to a clinic, but because of the weather, it was closed, so we had to drive all the way to the hospital. Two and a half hours later, we learned that Bailey had an ear infection and the flu. The doctor said if she seemed to be feeling better the next day, it would be okay to fly with her. We didn't think we would be going, but surprisingly, she seemed to be feeling much better the next day, so we decided to go. She did amazingly well, especially since we were flying so late at night. (One perk, our first flight was booked, so they bumped us up to first class. It was soooo nice.)

Once we finally got to Grandma and Grandpa's, Bailey was excited to find a new friend waiting for her. She loved riding this horse. She was pretty cautious at first, but then she had no fear.

We went to the mall one day to do some last-minute Christmas shopping (well, Skigh had last-minute shopping to do). We decided to take Bailey to see Santa Claus. We felt bad because before we left on our trip, we had planned on going to our ward Christmas party. Skigh kept telling Bailey that she would get to see Santa there. She was really excited. But then she got sick, so we couldn't go. We felt bad that she wouldn't get to see Santa, so as much as the thought of seeing the mall Santa Claus didn't appeal to me, we decided to take her.

She kept saying that she wanted to give Santa a hug, but once we got to him, she wouldn't even sit on his lap. I definitely wasn't surprised by that (especially since he wasn't the most charismatic Santa I've ever met... he barely said two words to us). She did give him a high-five though. And as soon as we left, she kept saying she wanted to give Santa a hug. Maybe next year.

She was definitely intrigued by Santa's beard. She mentioned it often.

Bailey definitely warmed up to Grandpa during this trip. I was surprised she let him hold her on his lap.

Bailey had fun with her cousin, Marshall. Here he is zonked out in the chair.

Grandma bought Bailey some juice boxes. She loved them.

Christmas Eve, waiting for the okay to start eating.

Marshall and Bailey, Christmas Eve.

Christmas morning. They don't open up presents first thing in the morning, but Skigh had a gift for us to open when we first woke up. It was the Little Critter version of A Night Before Christmas.

There was also a lion for Bailey that wasn't wrapped, so she got to play with that.

Dressed and ready to go, waiting to open up presents.

Playing Dominoes, waiting for everyone to show up.

Quinta and Grandma busy in the kitchen.

Bailey and Marshall passing the time on the horses.


Finally it was present-opening time.

Bailey loved all the dogs. There were FIVE dogs running around when everyone was there. Never a dull moment.

Skigh was very proud of this gift. He picked out one thing for Bailey on his own-- chapstick. Bailey LOVES chapstick. She always wants mine. I was not a fan of giving her any because she always ends up eating it, but Skigh was so excited about it, so we decided to give it to her. She was very happy. And, yes, I've already had to take it away multiple times because I've caught her eating it.

One gift from Skigh's parents was a small chest of silver pieces.

Bailey had to give Marshall's gift a test ride.

The poor girl's nose was so red for the longest time from us wiping it so much.

She loved the dress-up jewelry we gave her. I think she looks so grown up in these pictures.

Bailey has loved playing dress-up for a while now. She's constantly walking around the house in my shoes and wanting to wear my jewelry. We thought this would be the perfect gift for her.

It came with a wand, skirt, tiara, earrings, necklace, bracelet, ring, and shoes. What more could a girl want?

It wasn't long before she got a "phone call." She spends a lot of time talking on her phone. Or anyone else's phone for that matter.

We had a great time at Grandma and Grandpa's house, but it was eventually time to leave. We drove to Boulder and spent a couple of nights at Brandt and Kate's house before we flew home. Bailey was excited to play with Bernadette. And we were all happy to meet their new baby, Clementine. My sister, Beth, was spending Christmas at her husband's family's home, not too far away from Boulder. So, luckily, they were able to come and see us for a few hours. It was so much fun to see them again. Eric became quite popular with the kids when he pulled a book out.

Beth, Eric, and Lincoln.

Bernadette and Bailey.

Bailey and Bernadette thought it would be a good idea to brush their teeth using paint brushes.

It was fun to watch them. This was the first time they were old enough to really play together.

Brandt, Bernadette, Bailey, and Skigh.

Bailey figured out how to use a camera over this trip and took this picture of Bernadette (with Skigh's help keeping the camera still).

Skigh with baby Clementine.

Another Christms passed.