Christmas in Nebraska

For Christmas 2011 decided to leave Florida in search of snow again but this trip was just an out and back to Nebraska to visit Grampy and Lovie. Since Owen was over 2 years old he got his own seat and loved it. We flew out of Tallahassee to Atlanta and on to Omaha. We were on an early flight out of TLH so we grabbed Owen out of bed and brought him to the airport in his pajamas. Everyone loved his Elmo slippers. We allowed a couple hours in ATL, plenty of time to stretch legs and explore.

Owen on his seat on the plane to Omaha

After Owen had a great time opening presents for his birthday we were all looking forward to the wonder and excitement of Christmas. We had been talking about Santa, his visiting on Christmas Eve, and presents. Luckily, Santa was able to find us in Nebraska.

Santa's footprints at the fireplace where the stockings were filled with goodies

Owen had a good time exploring what all was left Christmas morning but was slightly distracted by the first train gift.

Exploring what Santa left behind on Christmas morning

We had a nice relaxing Christmas Day opening presents and enjoying each others company, it was the first time we had all been together since our sailing trip over Christmas 2008.

Owen and Lovie eating blueberries for breakfast (this was a daily routine)

Owen learning about "eh-los" from the Lego Master

Owen and Grampy reading the Owen book

Of course a trip to Omaha wouldn't be complete without a day visiting the Great-Grandpas. Owen was much more interactive this time around and not only played with his trains but was also curious about both the Great-Grandpas.

Visiting with Great-Grandpa Miller

Visiting with Great-Gramps

Showing Great-Gramps how to use Mama's iPad

While we were there we made a batch of kolaches and Owen loved them. He had at least one every day for breakfast, and you can guess who got the last one.

Loving kolaches, even the toasty ones

Since Owen was so into trains, we decided to visit the RailsWest Railroad Museum, The museum was great, it had a small model train that Owen got to drive around the track, which of course he loved. They also had a larger model train of the whole Omaha-Council Bluffs area. Owen's favorite part were the old engines and cars outside that he could climb on and walk through. He even got to sit up on the engineer's seat and ring a couple bells.

Driving the model trains

Exploring with Uncle Paul (which sounded a lot like apple pie all week)

 

Even though we didn't see snow again this trip we had a great time in Omaha. It was a relaxing, low key vacation and the best part was spending time together. Although Owen would likely say the best part were the trains he got for presents and the trains he got to explore.

Fourth of July Las Vegas Style

For about a week over the Fourth of July we flew out to Las Vegas to help Grumpa and Grandmama get settled into their new house and meet Owen's new cousin "Baby Well." Owen did great on the flight and made friends on the way out and the way back that were nice enough to let him sit on their laps and look out the window.

Owen loving the view from on top Grumpa's shoulders

Owen loved his new cousin and was always VERY concerned about the baby. If she was unhappy he always wanted to help her stop crying. A couple of times we even caught him trying to give her the pacifier.

Owen with Baby Noel

On the 4th we had a big dinner, went for a swim in the pool, and watched fireworks, some our own and some were set off all around the neighborhood. Owen had a pretty good time playing with the sparklers until one got a little close to his hand. He is still fairly senstive and hesitant around any sort of heat so even though it didn't burn him, the warm next to his skin was enough for him to call it quits.

Owen done with sparklers and ready for bed

We had a good time there, swimming in the pool, exploring the new house, and hanging out with grandparents, aunt and uncle and cousin.

Christmas Vacation

We decided that since life had been pretty tame for awhile, we would pack up and fly halfway across the country for two weeks.  On Christmas Eve we got up, loaded up the truck and drove to Panama City Beach to the new airport.  From there we flew to Houston for a layover before continuing on to Denver.  Owen did great on the flights and we had no problems along the way.  We were a little worried about him since we found out he had an infection in both ears a few days before we left.  He had a great time in Houston and we ran around and played chase for quite some time.

Once we got to Denver Grumpa and Grandmama picked us up from the airport.  On the way back to Cheyenne we stopped for the Padilla Christmas Eve tradition of Red Lobster.  Once we got to Cheyenne Owen was so excited to be able to run wherever he wanted.

On Christmas morning we woke up and opened presents.  It took Owen a few to really get the hang of it, even still, he was really only interested in playing with the first one he opened.

Owen opening his first present.

Owen tormenting the beagles with his dinosaur flashlight.

Owen helping Grumpa open a present.

Owen with his new Broncos track suit from Grandmama.

Owen sitting with Daddy while he hands out presents.

Owen in his new dinosaur snow suit from Grumpa and Grandmama.

Owen always loves exploring new places and Grumpa and Grandmama's house was no different.  He had a great time playing with the beagles, running laps through the living room and kitchen and stopping to look at the birds.

Owen quickly learned how to work the gate but once or twice the gate won.

Owen loved Grumpa's Police Car!

When we planned this trip we were so excited to take Owen out to play in the snow.  Problem is, Mother Nature had a different plan.  When we arrived there was no snow in the mid-west!  While Grumpa was at work, the rest of us took a car ride to the higher elevations to find some snow.  (Funniest part of the story is, while we were on our way up, we got a text alert informing us it was snowing in Tallahassee- go figure!)  Once we got up there it was a little chilly and windy but there was snow.  We got Owen dressed up in his new dino-suit and let him walk around.  It was the kind of snow that had the thick crunchy layer on top that cracked when you walk on it so Owen really wasn't too sure about it.  He eventually seemed to enjoy some.

Owen not happy about getting out in the cold (plus he was tired).

 

Daddy showing Owen how to walk on the snow.

 Owen going on his own.

Posing for a quick family photo before heading home.

Owen and Grandmama cheering on the broncos.  I think it was the outfits that helped them win!

Of course no trip back home would be complete without a trip to see Owen's great-grandparents for the first time.  First we stopped to see Paw Paw John.  Owen was shy at first but warmed up to him after we got some food in his belly.

Owen wondering who's lap he is sitting in.

Owen not minding handing out with people he doesn't know, he has a snack after all.

After a quick lunch Owen doesn't want to leave.

Three generations of Padilla men.

After our visit with Paw Paw John it was over to Great Grammy's house for a chat.  By now Owen was getting more used to strangers so excited to see him and was a little less shy.

Owen intrigued by Great Grammy's fingernails.

Grammy with her grandson and great-grandson.

Four Smutz generations all spending time together.

Our last day in Cheyenne Jed and I spent some time alone and went over to Snowy Range to go snowboarding and skiing for a day.  While we were gone, Owen and Grandmama spent some quality time together with visits from Grumpa.  They had a blast!

Owen with his best pal Cherokee.

Sitting with his Grumpa.

Owen wearing Grumpa's glasses.

The next morning all five of us were off for a road-trip across Nebraska to Grampy and Lovie's for Owen's baptism.  Owen did pretty good on the ride and enjoyed a stop for lunch at one of Dad's favorite restaurants, Taco Johns.

Owen napping in the car on the road-trip.

When we got to Grampy and Lovie's Owen was so excited to go explore more new places.  One of his favorite things was the piano.  He loved walking up to it and tapping the keys.  He would make sure everyone was paying attention to him, play a few keys, and stop and clap for himself and would get so excited when we would all clap for him too.

Making sure we are all watching.

Playing a tune.

Loving all the attention.

Since it worked out that we were able to get both sets of grandparents together, we thought it was the perfect opportunity to have Owen baptized.  We had a very nice small service at Grampy's church with our family, some friends and a few church members.  Owen was a little hesitant at first to be leaned back and so vulnerable but took comfort that his father was holding him and protecting him... such higher meaning.  After, Owen really wanted to splash and play in the water.

  

Owen during the baptism.

Owen with one of his Godparents.

Owen loving a game of baby toss with the very high ceilings.

New Year's Eve morning we woke up and had to send Grumpa and Grandmama back to Cheyenne.  It was a dreary misty/freezing ice day so we hung out and explored our new surroundings.

Outside looking at the flurries.

Wondering if the flurries will accumulate.

Way back in the beginning of winter (back when there was snow) Lovie bought two sleds that she had envisioned using on the big hill around the corner from their house.  We woke up New Year's Day after flurries and snow all day New Year's Eve hoping for accumulation and the only thing the snow stuck to was the roads.  Change of plans, we used the sleds to sled down the driveway and across the street.  Even though it wasn't quite like planned it was still a lot of fun!

Lovie and Jed/Owen racing down the driveway.

Hiking back up the "hill."

Jed and Owen riding down.  (Be sure to look at Owen's face, he was loving it!)

We had a great time hanging out, being lazy and reading books, even Owen.

Grampy reading Owen the Owen book.

Owen wishing there was milk in the mason jar.

Since Auntie Sarah and Uncle Paul had plans we postponed the Miller family New Year's Eve tradition to New Year's Day.  Owen didn't care too much about the cheese course but loved the chocolate.

Enjoying chocolate fondue.

Of course we also had to complete our trip with a visit to the grandpas in Lincoln.  Owen was more used to new people this time around.  He especially loved the wiskers on both the grandpas.  First it was a trip to see Great-Grandpa Miller.

Enjoying a snack while talking to Great-Grandpa Miller.

Four generations of Millers.

Owen wanting to play with Lovie's camera.

Next was over to visit Great-Gramps.

Owen talking to Great-Gramps.

Owen showing Great-Gramps how his rings work.

Owen feeling Great-Gramps' whiskers.

Owen hanging out with Grampy.

 

Owen reading a book about colors with Lovie.

 

Owen ate grapes for the first time with Grampy and he couldn't cut them fast enough.

Since we had another nice day out and there was still plenty of snow on the driveway we decided it was another opportunity to go sledding.  Owen loved it even more this time.

Riding back up the hill.

Look at that smile!

Not only did Owen love running laps around the house but he also LOVED the stairs.  We couldn't keep him off of them.

Enjoying his new favorite, quesadillas, the night before it was time to go home.

We had a great time and enjoyed seeing everyone so much.  We were all pooped after our two weeks, especially Owen...

Out cold on the trip home.