Roxi had an incredible first Christmas. She got bunches of groovy, shiny wrapping paper, crinkly tissue paper, chompy ribbon and bangable boxes. Hours of flailing and tossing! Hours of happy chewing! Oh, and there was stuff inside all the wrapping that was pretty cool too, though she didn't really get around to all that until several days later.
Really though, Rob and I were amazed at the outpouring of gifts for the wee girl. Toys, stuffed animals, outfits and accessories from around the world ... Roxi is a lucky peanut indeed.
The best part of our Christmas celebrations, by far, was getting to see family and friends. Aunt Christa flew in on Dec. 21, and the 4 of us joined several pals for an Indian feast that evening. The next morning, Rob diagnosed and fixed the furnace, which had pooped out in the middle of the night (Roxi will hopefully inherit her dad's mechanical intellect and aptitude). Then Rob and Christa went to pick up Gamma Rose at the airport.
Roxi had several wacky, fun-filled days with Aunt Christa and Gammage, which included her first ever swim in their hotel pool. Dressed in just a swim diaper and a smile, Roxi splashed and splashed and splashed. She kicked, thrashed, dipped her head in the water and moved her arms in a remarkably swim-like fashion ... all in Rob's arms. The rest of us stood on the edge and took gobs of pictures.
Uncle Lee flew in late Christmas Eve, and Roxi had her FIRST first Christmas the next day. It took us so long to open all our presents that the sweet girl had to take 2 nap breaks.
On the 26th, Gammage, Aunt Christa and Uncle Lee headed to the airport. Gamma and Christa were homeward bound. Lee picked up G-Daddy, Mimi and Uncle Tyler and drove to Steamboat Springs. We Tusselwuppers spent the day packing and the evening driving to Steamboat. Roxi was a dreamboat throughout.
Then ... a week of skiing for most of us (except for Rob, who suffered an unfortunate shoulder injury on the first day), and a week of big time playing for Roxi and Mimi. The sweet girl enjoyed showing her family how to use pureed carrots as finger paint among other things. So, her SECOND first Christmas was at altitude.
Roxi's THIRD first Christmas was spent with her unofficial Colorado aunts and uncles - Ren, Scott, Jen and Mike - on Jan. 1.
Phew. We couldn't possibly have had better holidays. Roxi couldn't possibly have a cooler extended family. 2005 is going to be an outstanding year.