Welcome Peeka!

So this year was not only our first Christmas in our new house, but it was also our first Christmas with a very special new friend.  I never knew what an Elf on the Shelf was until my Aunt Jackie mailed us one.  I really wanted to give her credit for her awesome gift, but I had to tell them that Santa had mailed us the package.  I'm all about sticking to the story!  After we got ours, I mailed out four of them for friends of ours and told everyone that would listen how much fun they are.  Some people use the elf to keep their kids in line, threatening that Santa won't bring gifts.  We didn't really go there yet, but we had some pretty funny conversations with Peeka about what goes on at Santa's workshop.  I guessed what Peeka would say, since he can't talk to us, and Ryker seemed pretty happy with my totally legit answers.  We had loads of fun looking for him each morning and giving him messages to take back to Santa. 

We read the book as soon as we got it.  The first thing you are supposed to do is name your elf.  Ryker named him Peeka.  I had totally forgotten about ol' Peeka, Ryker's old imaginary friend.  He wasn't an imaginary friend in the sense that Ryker really thought he had an invisible buddy.  It kind of seemed like Ryker was more messing with us.  He was always telling us stories about Peeka, but he would kind of giggle when we got too far into a crazy story about his adventures with Peeka.  He was always telling us that Peeka was going to pick him up in his car and take him somewhere.  We wanted to meet this Peeka character before they did any driving around and that would always make him giggle.  Anyway, that Peeka has been gone for quite some time and now we have Elf Peeka and he is FUN!

Where's Peeka?

Here are just a few of the places that crazy Peeka would land after he got back from his nightly visits to the North Pole.  Not much shelf sitting for this elf.

Surprisingly, Kya was more into Peeka than Ryker and Ryker loves him. She often finds him before Ryker. First she would run to the place where he was the night before just to be sure he wasn't still there, then she searches all the places he's been before. She would run all over the house smiling and yelling "Geeka!" The only thing that sometimes distracted her is if Cosmos was  looking in the window, she'd take a minute to stop and wave at him and yell "Caca." Once they find him they do a lot of laughing and pointing and then Ryker often hugs Kya. I'm not sure why, but it's funny.  I hope they celebrate all their victories and happiness with hugs.  I'm sure that won't last too long though.

If I haven't already told you, (seems like it was all I talked about the month of December), you should get the movie An Elf Story too. It is really good too.  

Winter Wonderland

We hit up our neighbors house for the annual Santa Train Food drive.  Of course, we went both Saturday and Sunday (twice).  We took food each time so that's okay, right?  Ryker got about 12 rides this year.  Seth made an unexpected trip home for Saturday.  He was here only here a little over 24 hours, but it was timed just right to get in on the fun.

Ride #1.  Ready to roll!

Pace, Joe, and Seth

Kicked back, waiting for the beverage service

It was freezing and these elves came out and danced their bare legs off every time the train went by.  They have a propane heater in the little hut, but come out and pretend they are building toys for Santa, then dance right when the train gets there.

Ryker crashing the Werder's family photo

 

The Hofheimer and Apple crew met us at the train and came over for lunch and playtime afterward.

Day 2, ride #5.  We got about 12 this year and believe me, it wasn't enough.  He still thinks I cut him short.

Sunday we got to sit in the coal car right behind the engine.  Ryker loved it!  He had a bunch of questions about how the train was running.  Unfortunately, it was only me there to answer them, but I think I did a decent job plus I got a little help from one of the crew.

Ryker with Mr. Schimke himself.  Every boys dream:  A train of your own!

I had to really zoom in to get this shot.  We loaded the train and Ryker took the front seat next to some strangers.  I told him that there wasn't room for Kya and I to sit by him and he pointed out some seats about mid traincar.  Alrighty then.  We were about 6 rows away.  I guess when you go so many times, you get pretty comfortable.  When we got going Lurch, the giant elf you've seen in some of the pictures was squatting down talking to him because he was asking so many questions.  Keep in mind I know Lurch's name, but Ryker doesn't know him.  When we got off the train, Ryker told me that he always wants to sit in front because he likes that big guy and he knows a lot about trains.

Ryker's new buddy

I purposely put Ryker in his BNSF sweatshirt for the day and lots of peopele commented on it, but train owner loved it so Ryker thought he was pretty cool.  It also reinforced to him that his Uncle Ty is pretty cool because he knows all about trains too.

Anacortes Parks and Rec put on a Winter Wonderland Walk this year for the first time.  Groups decorated campsites at Washington Park.  The kids loved it....well all except for the Grinch lurking around behind trees.  Kya thought he was great, but Ryker kept saying "that creepy Grinch is freaking me out!"  We found a not so creepy snowman to get a picture with and finish our hot chocolate and cookies.  Kya will never pose for me because she always wants to look at the stuff we're posing in front of or run at me as in the picture below.

Close enough, at least I got her face this time.  Another fun filled, fantastic weekend leading up to Christmas!

Breakfast with Santa then off to the Christmas Parade

Grandma Vi and Ryker

Making Christmas cards

Eating the cookie she frosted

Pleased to meet you little snowman

Finishing up their cookies

The best part of the Breakfast was this sweet picture with Santa.  I put Kya on Santa's lap and she got mad.  I picked her up so we could just get a nice picture.  I didn't realize until we saw the picture afterward that she was still ticked off.  Ryker took one look at the picture and said "Kya looks really grumpy and Grandma Vi has a flower growing out of her head."

Where are those firetrucks Ryker always raves about?

Santa on an Antique fire engine

Once again, no one was in our "honey hole."  I have no idea why no one stands here.  Ryker had no kids to compete with to get candy and toys.  Kya even got some and she is no speedster.  We'll have to go to an area with more competition when Ryker is old enough to realize that he only gets to eat a fraction of the candy he picks up.  We still had Berry Dairy Days (June) candy in the trunk when this parade rolled around.  I was a little slow getting it to the garbage.  It is nice to have no competition for all the toys though.  Last year he got a shirt and this year he got some sweet balls and stickers.

Kya liked the beads the best

We dropped Grandma Vi off and they lasted about 5 minutes until they fell asleep.  I think it was a pretty successful Saturday!