The Gleason's

We visited Jamestown historic railway today and got to ride the rails in the caboose. We were a little bummed at first about being in the caboose, but then we realized we could climb into the lookout and ride with a birds eye view. We then got a tour of the sheds and round table, which was exciting. Bix got to climb in one and ring the bell. He also asked some great questions to the tour guide including why the diesel doesn't sleep inside and what happens to him when it rains.

Of course what trip to a train yard would be complete without a fully stocked gift shop that sells all the Thomas and Friends merchandise. We added Conner to the crew and Bix will be honing his skills with a new puzzle. Such fun!

Now we are eagerly awaiting the arrival of GiGi and PopPop to the Twain Harte house. Bix is so excited that when Brian mentioned there would be a surprise for him today (a new Lego set) he very cutely got a big smile on his face and asked if they were the surprise.

Lots more fun to come.

Winter Wonderland was Friday night in Atascadero...and we had our dry run with Santa there. He was insistent he would not sit on Santa's lap but mommy or daddy would hold him when he told Santa he anted a Bertie Bus for Christmas. And that is just how it went down. On Saturday we ventured down to SLO to see Miss Melissa play and sing at the Mission, where Santa's house also sits this time of year. Again, Bix insisted that we would hold him while he repeated to Santa his wish for a Bertie Bus. But Santa was a little more in the groove of plopping children on his lap this time and Bix sailed down with an anxious look on his face. Mommy and Daddy were knelt down next to Santa though...so he survived with no major upset and is likely to stronger for it. Overall it was a much better experience than last year...when he screamed for someone to get the little girl off the strange man's lap. Anyways..here we all are :)

Here it is....

The Sunday after Thanksgiving we headed over to the tree farm down the street to pick out this year's tree. It was a little Charlie Brown-ish in the field of glorious trees, but looks great in the living room all decorated and lit up. Bix loved helping to decorate this year and was very persistent with each one about putting the hooks on. We got our our new robot ornament for this year and he picked out the spot where it would look best. Here's up picking out the tree and Brian and Bix chopping it down. Decorated tree picture to follow.

Obviously Bix knows how to travel the farm!

 
Silly boys!


A nice picture with Mommy...although tickles are required to get a smile out of Bix.
 
Such a big helper pulling the cart.

Chopping down the tree

The two Gleason lumberjacks.

I am lumberjack, hear me roar. TIMBER!

Having a chat with the family

Snuggling with Nana Gwen

Drawing trains with Grandad Oscar

Making funny rhymes with Nana Gwen...always proceeded with "Oh, I know a good one"

The men at work on the yard design

Bix's new best friend...Uncle Alex...you couldn't separate these two.

The walking group (as opposed to the cooking group :)...Brian is the photographer in case you are keeping tabs).


Collecting and examining leaves with Nana Gwen

Still going over the yard design...this time Bix's version..."here's the bedroom and here's the play structure, Grandad Box-car...he-he"

Doodling with Nana "hen"...look at the concentration


Phew...what an exhausting few days!