We headed to Denver for Christmas, to visit Nate's brother Dan and his family (Aunt Molly, Cousin Kate - nearly 8 mo.- and dog Lucia) and Nate's parents, who flew in from the UP. I had visions of hot cocoa with the family at a mountain ski lodge, sightseeing along the Front Range, and maybe even a date night out for Nate and I with all the extra babysitters on hand! Alas, Santa (or the Grinch?) had other ideas....the theme of our 2010 Christmas was illness, and it all started with Owen, who's gift to the household was a fever and a cold virus. Within a few days, Grandma Pam, Nate, and baby cousin Kate were also victims. Today, a full 10 days after getting sick, Owen still has a veritable waterfall of mucus streaming from his nose (can you picture it? and me chasing after him with a Kleenex or burp cloth every 2 minutes?), and Nate is a weakened, nauseous, headachy, bed-riden man. Somehow, I was spared the disease (and for the most part, so were Dan, Molly, and Papa Dusty). Someone has to play nursemaid I suppose....
Needless to say, during our time in Colorado we didn't get out of the house much at all, but holidays are for reconnecting with family, right? In that regard, ours was a huge success. We ate delicious meals (complete with roasted chestnuts), enjoyed each others company, had fun watching the kids with their gifts, and Papa Dusty and Dan even put their free time to good use and started building a beautiful cherry wood mantle for their family room fireplace. Owen especially enjoyed playing with his favorite relative of all, Lucia (their yellow lab) and we have numerous witnesses that baby Kate's first word might have been 'doggie'! 
Depending on the status of my sick boys, we may venture out of the house later this evening for a little bit of New Years Eve festivities with some nearby friends. Hopefully 2011 will bring renewed good health and continued happiness , to our house and to yours....HAPPY NEW YEAR!Parting shot: a (sick) boy and his new walker toy
