Santa's Reindeer

Since we had so much fun last year, we decided to go back to Meijer Gardens today to see Santa's reindeer!  It was EXTREMELY cold, so we bundled up and headed out.  It was beautiful as always inside, with all of the decorated trees.  There was no one outside with the reindeer when we got there, so we went right back outside to see them.  They seemed to be a bit tired and just layed there the whole time, but Rainah got to pet the back side of one.  They really are such sweet animals.  One of them was Noelle (she was there last year, too).  

Rainah ended up falling in the snow and got really upset... she cried for quite awhile once we went back inside, but once she saw the train she forgot all about the cold.  She loved watching it go around, and she didn't want to leave.  I think she must get her love of trains from her cousin, Hayden.  

Wish it would have been warmer so we could have hung out with the reindeer longer, but we still had fun and got a few cute photos!

Noelle and her baby

She sat here and watched that little trolley go by over and over and over.  We had to drag her out of there!

A Day Out With Thomas

Cousin Hayden LOVES Thomas the Train, to say the least. He's been going to A Day Out With Thomas since he was 2 years old. Last year Rainah and I joined them at Greenfield Village- it was a cool, rainy, yucky day, but it was still fun. Rainah was a bit young to enjoy it, but this year was a different story. Jill decided to try out Huckleberry Railroad this year, so Don, Rainah, and I met up with everyone else this morning. Mom, Dad, Jess, Dave, Jill, Hayden, and Talan were all there. We had an 11:00 train ride, and got there around 10. We walked around a bit, then got in line for the train where Jill almost got into a fist fight with a family who cut in line.
The train ride was beautiful and was 40 minutes long. Rainah was really good and had fun looking out the window and reading her map.
After the ride we had a picnic lunch, and then hit all the activities, including Rainah's personal favorite, the bounce house! She saw that thing when we first got there and couldn't wait to get her shoes off and get in there. We also saw some farm animals, got to color, and go on some rides, including a carousal that went pretty fast! I thought Rainah would like a Thomas (temporary) tattoo since she loves to get stamps on her hands at Gymboree. She let the lady put it on, but as soon as she saw it on her arm, her little lip came out and she sobbed. No idea why, but it was pretty funny. It was such a gorgeous day and we had a great time! Rainah fell asleep in her stroller as we were walking to the car and slept for most of the drive.








Rainah and Grandma


Hayden waiting to get going


Rainah watching out the window




Hayden (whose head was out the window the whole time)


Talan chillin out with his dad


Some good reading


Talan


The Skiver boys


Jill, Talan, and Dave enjoying a picnic lunch


Dad, Rainah, and Mom


Rainah sharing with Papa


Talan and Hayden with Thomas


Rainah with Thomas








Hayden TRYING to have his picture taken, but little brother isn't making it easy!!


Rainah got to the top and didn't realize it was a slide. She just stood up there trying to jump and bounce.


Hayden finally had to go back and get her to come down... and then she didn't slide... she walked.


Thanks, Hayden!


Rainah and Talan coloring with Aunt Jessica


My little engineer








My punk rock baby... gettin her first tatt


That sponge and water is brutal... but she recovered nicely... soon she'll have a full sleeve


Riding the carousal






The little train ride.




This was at the end of the day and she was really tired.




Peek-a-boo


Hugs for Aunt Jessica




At the end of the day