Awesome...

We just returned from a great weekend trip to Colorado. God blessed us in a big way- our Bible Study leader Larry is a pilot for Southwest airlines, and he totally hooked us up with 4 vouchers for round trip tickets to Colorado! Which was so cool because we weren't going to be able to come out for Thanksgiving or Christmas this year. So we go to go and spend some time with Zach's mom and her side of the family, and it was good to be there. The weather was chilly, and it really felt like Christmas time! The kids played in snow for the first time- it was just snow that was still on the lawn from the last snow fall- and they loved it! Their favorite part was eating it. The kids had fun with their grammy and poppie (Zach's mom and step dad), and we were so glad to see everyone- Auntie Court Court (Zach's sister Courtney), Jake, Uncle Matt, Heather, Uncle Randy, Sarah, Auntie Wu Wu (Zach's aunt Lucy), Kristie, Chap, Kyle, Emily, and Nana (Zach's grandmother).

The kids got to see Santa while we were there, and that's always fun. Dane of course cried- but Teda did pretty good. He asked her what she wanted for Christmas, and she had no idea how to answer that. She never did give him an answer- I think because we've never really talked about the whole Santa thing. Which we still have to decide how to go about all that. Then when she hopped down from the sleigh, she told me he asked her about presents. And she said she didn't want presents. And Zach said, "good girl!" It was funny.

She had a real love for chapstick while we were there, and had about 5 different ones to choose from, and she just applied chapstick like there was no tomorrow throughout the trip. It was cute. And for a while she would tell me, "I have to put my chapsticks in my pocket so Santa doesn't get them." I'm not sure what made her think Santa was going to take her chapsticks, but she made sure to keep them safe. The things kids say are seriously awesome.

Dane was cute as ever too. He just started nodding his head really big when we guess what he's trying to say. For example, when he wants a snack he says, "nak nak nak nak...." over and over pretty much until we repeat "snack?" and he nods his head up and down in approval and excitement that we understood what he said. Or sometimes he'll just say something and nod as he's saying it, like come on guys you have to get this one. It's great.

One more thing- last night Teda was having a rough time. She was upset about something (I can't remember what), and Zach was trying to lighten up the mood. He calls her his Christmas goose, and he asked her, "Teda, are you still my Christmas goose?" Well usually she says yes, but this time she said, "Not anymore, daddy" in a very sad voice. He asked her again a few minutes later and she answered the same, and Zach said that's so sad! It was almost like she was telling him I'm not your little girl anymore daddy. But good news- later that night she was feeling better and more like herself and what do you know, Zach asked her one more time. :) And she said yes! with a sweet smile on her face.