Santa Train

We joined some friends, recently, for a ride on the Santa Train.  Basically...we hop on a train in Northbend.  We ride the train for about 15 minutes until we reach the North Pole: also known as Issaquah.  When we arrive, we get hot chocolate and stand outside as we wait to see Santa.

This is a very popular Northwest tradition.  I am guessing most people start this tradition in better weather.  For us, it was pouring rain on us the entire time.  It was also pretty windy.  Oh...and cold. Shaundar and I were pretty miserable.

But Desi had a blast.  Here's some pics of him and his buds. 

This picture was actually taken BEFORE the trainride.

Did I mention the crappy weather?

The boys downing some hot chocolate. Daddy was drinking Irish Coffee.

Santa came off as a total genius. Desi told him he wanted "Cars." Santa said, "You mean, like Lightning McQueen and Mader?"  Desi was like, "OMG...TOTALLY like Lightning McQueen and Mader!"

After sitting on Santa's lap, Desi saw this stuffed Santa.  He went running back to the big Santa to announce, "That's you, Santa!" Just in case Santa didn't notice the stuffed object in the corner looked remarkably similar.

Santa handed out candy canes after we boarded the train for the ride home.

With Braden

We tried to get a picture of the kids in their Christmas sweaters, but they were too busy watching Elf.

Go Gonzaga!

Desi and I are road-tripping to Spokane, this week.  It's a boys trip to see my boys, the Gonzaga Bulldogs, play on their home turf.  I haven't been back to campus in 10 years.  I have never seen the new arena.  So, I am pretty stoked.  Of course, I expect Desmond to completely enjoy seeing his dad's old hangouts.  I'm sure he'll love to see my old dorm, the house I lived in on Baldwin, the theatre where I performed in Little Shop of Horrors, the classroom where I suffered through French, and the Bulldog where I downed many an alcoholic beverage.

Realistically...he'll enjoy the park and maybe pretty campus.  He'll hate the drive and get super annoyed at all the nostalgia I am forcing at him. 

Oh well...I have high hopes that he'll enjoy the basketball game, at least.

Go Gonzaga! from Jason Pankow on Vimeo.

What Desi does at school

I haven't posted on the blog, yet, about how Desi started at a new Daycare at the beginning of October.  It's a super nice daycare.  It's part of Providence Mount St. Vincent in West Seattle.  "The Mount" is a hospital for elderly people who need living assistance.  The residents of The Mount often spend time with the kids, reading stories, having tea, or just hanging out.  Likewise, the kids will often take field trips to visit the residents.

Anyway...at the new daycare, we get weekly charts that list what Desi did ever day during the week.  Here is an excerpt from Thursday:

"Desmond was laying on the chair with Bea when Desmond gave her a kiss on the cheek.  He also enjoyed going on a visit and showing his tummy to residents Ruth and Judy."

So, we've got a lover and an exhibitionist on our hands, apparently.

Desi, Year 2

Since my camera is broken, here are some old pictures to tide you over.  I give you, the 12 months of Desi:

December 2009

January 2010 

February 

March 

April 

May

June 

July 

August 

September 

October 

November 



Look at 12, get #13 FREE!

December 2010