Grandpa Jim visits

It's officially eleven days before Christmas!!

And, as usual things have been busy around the Hauck's nest...

because we had our favorite visitor all the way from Oregon!

Yep...it was Grandpa Jim! 

He always flies out sometime in December to celebrate

Christmas with us...and we manage to cram his visit

full of fun and activities!

The fun began shortly after his flight got in 

on Thursday with tumbling class for Max (not pictured)

and we kept the ball rolling until the following Tuesday. 

(Grandpa Jim brings all kinds of goodies)

Grandpa Jim watched Max all day on Friday 

and then we headed over to Alum Creek and 

drove through the light show.  I love being

able to enjoy the lights from the warmth

of my car!  This light show does not disappoint...

it winds through tunnels...reindeer "jump

over the road"....and you even get to see

the 12 days of Christmas played out in lights. 

After driving through - we kept Max up long

enough to enjoy dinner at Jason's deli!

We introduced Grandpa Jim to Chick-fil-A on Saturday

for lunch.  And then, decided to head over to Westerville's 

Family Fun day!  Several stores had make and 

take craft projects...cookies...and even a movie playing for the kids

Max got to ice his own cookie....and top it with sprinkles...

Create a Christmas tree ornament for our tree...

And...we even used the cute "photo booth" they 

had set up along a side stree. 

Our final stop was to mail the letter

he had written to Santa (with a little help

from Grandpa Jim)! 

Max was so worn out from walking in the cold...

and searching for all the Christmas symbols in

each store (it was part of a scavenger hunt) that

he passed out in his care seat on the way home. 

Saturday evening Mama had to work a 

family event at the Zoo for just a couple 

of hours...and so we were able to join up...

and take Grandpa Jim around to see Wild Lights!

Max loves the giant ornaments, and new, super tall tree 

whose lights dance around to the music. He also loves the 

"Polar Bear Express" train...so we made sure to ride that. 

He requested to sit with Grandpa Jim...and told him

all about what was coming up - especially the tunnel. 

(Max is also probably still blinded by the flash

from our camera phone...as evidenced by his face below). 

Sunday morning brought about an inch of snow....and Max

was super eager to get out and play in it!  

We put him to work dusting off the cars...and shoveling 

because we had big plans to hit the Franklin Park

Conservatory a little later on!

The Conservatory is so beautiful this time of year!

The highlight is always the giant Christmas

tree constructed of poinsettias! 

We were wondering how they manage to 

water all those plants? Let me know if you've

got ideas...I'm truly curious  I can barely

remember to water the three tiny ones at my house. 

We also managed to find a few more

tree shaped structures throughout 

the conservatory....the one below is 

made from Bromeliad plants! I love the color!

I also love how much alike the three

of them look below :)

Closer shot of the flower tree. 

I LOVE it!

Gratuitous shot of us...this blog's not all about Max! 

jk - i know it is :) 

Another tree!  How do they do this? 

I'm amazed. 

Max also loved searching for these

balls of light tucked in among the plants. 

He said, "mommy, there's your favorite color!"

We took a few short pit stops for snacks...and photo

opportunities...

One finally tree made of Peace lilies I believe...

We celebrated our Christmas together

Sunday evening...with dinner at Local Roots

(those pretzel sticks are so yummy!)...and ice

cream after at Jeni's.  Their dark chocolate peppermint

is so yummy...and definitely put me in the holiday spirit!

There are no pictures of us actually exchanging gifts
because Max tore through those in typically three
year old tornado fashion.  And you know, after
he had a short(ish) meltdown over the concept
of GIVING gifts....he was pretty wrapped up
in the receiving end of that.

Mama had to work until really late Monday evening...

(so, it was nice to receive the above 

images of Max during the day)

but thankfully Grandpa Jim, Papa Rob, and Max
were able to enjoy dinner at Chile Verde Cafe
(Rob's favorite)....and Grandpa Jim made it safely
back to Oregon on Tuesday (despite the three plus
inches of snow we got)!

Grandpa Jim - we love you and truly 
appreciate all the efforts you make to stay in
touch with us and what's going on in our lives. 
We are so glad you made some time to 
spend with us this holiday season!
xoxo