January 17. 2010 - b-day surprises

Colin gets his birthday presents when Mama got home from NY- a cool air hockey / sports combo table seen below trying out the hoops action and Colin's special New York City birthday request, a fire truck with sirens!

Aunt Lissa, Uncle Dan and Kivrin sent Colin some fun and special presents which he was thrilled to open and play with right away!

January 14, 2010 - sending Colin b-day wishes

Mama was in New York for Colin's actual 4th birthday and the big 'chocolate bean' M&M's from Times Square sent him a big orange birthday greeting!

January 6, 2010 - snowy day

snow fun in the yard!

January 2, 2010 - afternoon fun

We had plenty of indoor activities to keep us busy over our New Christmas visit!

Colin got a remote control helicopter from Papa that offered much entertainment for all!

A little too cold for true outdoor play, the kids use the garage for a skating and tractor riding!

Another Christmas with Denise! Colin coloring in his new 3-D book from Denise

Calming down for the evening, Papa and Kivrin reading and Colin laying down for a 'nap' after dinner!

January 2, 2010 - the main destination...

.. oh yes, Olga's!

Dan, Kiv and Lissa / Kivrin enjoying her 3 cheese Olga!

Colin and Mama with our yummy Olga's, snackers and salad!

January 2, 2010 - Collinsville Memorial Public Library

We spent some time this morning at the library that Colin's Aunt Lissa and Mama spent many of their childhood days, reading and playing!

Aunt Lissa helps Kivrin spell our names on the magnetic board

Firefighters Colin, Mama and Kivrin- dressed up and reading about firefighting!

Aunt Lissa and Colin reading / Colin playing with Papa on the train table

January 1, 2010 - classic Colin poses

silly snapshot poses

... and with the Mama of course!

January 1, 2010 - The New Christmas lunch with the Staley's

We headed over to Uncle Gary and Aunt Carol's house for a whole lot of cousin time! Mama's cousin Allison was in town from North Carolina and we sure do miss their family, especially those girls Madison and Maiya!

Riley and Colin being quite silly / Madi and Maiya

Colin giving Mama his present opening faces

Super cool new roller skates!!!

Colin taking our self portrait / then taking Aunt Lissa and Kivrin's picture!

Colin's first experience playing wii and hopefully won't again for a long time (from the non-video game fan Mama :) but his cousins did a great job teaching him how to play!

January 1, 2010 - The New Christmas morning

New Year's / New Christmas morning at Papa Staley's house!

Colin checks 'under the tree' to see if Santa and his reindeer have come... and they did! They ate the santa mice, milk and the reindeer chomped some of the carrots. There were also new presents for Colin from Santa, who knew where to follow him from Milwaukee!

Some book reading and snuggling before present time began!