St. Nick in St. Louis

We spent a whole week out in St. Louis for Christmas with Tara's family. Getting there and back with neither baby nor father able to walk was an adventure; although using a wheelchair in the airport was oddly civilized. Once we got there, it was ridiculously cold, but that was fine because we mostly stayed packed indoors with all Tara's siblings, their spouses, and 1.5 year old Maile.

Niels was thrilled to have all sorts of new people to watch; boring old mom and dad are just no fun for him I suppose. Other than enjoying the general excitement, Christmas did rather escape him.

Niels may seem happy in the cold, but we hadn't even left the airport yet.


There were lots of new people to see.


A singing frog. Huh?


The traditional reading of "The Night Before Christmas"


Christmas morning, Maile was happily handing out presents. I don't think she's quite figured out that the spririt of giving doesn't apply to children.


Niels patiently waited, while having no idea what was going on.


Hey, this one must be for Niels!


Yeay, holidays


We will celebrate by pulling grandpa's beard.


Who let a younger baby in the room? That's not fair. It's 2nd cousin Ashton.