December 31, 2013

December 29, 2013

365 ~ 2013: Day 363

Since we moved away, we don't get to hang out every day like we used to, but it doesn't seem to matter because they always pick right back up where they left off!

December 28, 2013

Wonderful Christmastime!

Christmas week is coming to a close and the thought of taking down the tree and lights makes me sad!  I'm glad to keep it up for one more week!  We started off the weekend before Christmas with a trip to Santa's Village with our friends!  I have never been in the winter and even though it was raining, it was still magical and seeing the entire park in Christmas lights was spectacular!

Visiting with Santa to give him their last minute requests!
That brings us to Christmas Eve and the new traditions we have started with our family!  The first one is watching the video email from Santa to find out if they made it to the nice list!  They did!

Portable North Pole Video Email!
And we figured that Santa gets LOADS of cookies so we made Cookie Dough truffles!  The boys each decorated one special for Santa!

The next Christmas Eve tradition is putting out the luminaries!
The boys were a big help this year getting them all ready!
The Christmas glow!
And of course no Christmas Eve is complete without opening up new Christmas jammies!


And the annual reading of Twas the Night Before Christmas!

Santa has come and gone!
The boys all stay in Shaun's room on Christmas Eve so that GG and Auntie Kristin can use the other two bedrooms.  That means that they are up early, this year they were up at 6am and our rule is no downstairs until 7am!  Thankfully we were able to distract them with some Netflix on the Kindle.

Daddy checked to make sure it was safe to come downstairs, but not before a picture!

And now it was time to open up their gifts from Santa and check out their stalkings!
Evan is VERY excited about his Monsters University toothbrush!
David has figured out that this must be the magic kit to go with the hat he opened earlier!
The Skylander sticker book that he wanted at the book store last week....How did Santa know!?!
The treasure hunt to find the big family gift that Santa left us....A new computer!
After the hustle and bustle of Christmas part 1!
The boys with their GG!!
After Christmas part 1, we cleaned up and started prepping for Christmas part 2 with my family.  We started out with munchies and then the kids opened their gifts from the family!

Skylander legos!  Awww...yeah!
Time for another Christmas tradition, the eating of the Prime Rib!  It's my third year making this and this year was exceptional!  Dare I say, I have really outdone myself!
So pumped, he saved himself the piece that was mooing from the middle!
The cool kids table!
Taking advantage of the little snow we had left, the kids headed outside for some sledding.  Guess we didn't take into account the layer of ice as Shaun went flying into our neighbors fence.  The black eye he is sporting since is quite impressive!
Before the incident!
Checking out Cohen's new sled!
Evan stuck with the saucer!
And we finished off the night, after exchanging Secret Santa gifts, with some Karaoke on the new machine that Santa brought for the boys!
David and Cohen's rendition of "What does the Fox Say"
Lastly, to complete our Wonderful Christmastime, we headed to the Cape to celebrate with the rest of the family.  It was nice and laid back with munchie food and loads of desserts.  The boys got some more cool gifts from his great Aunts and had fun playing some of their new games!
Evan shows Aunt Vicki how to play Minion Rush!
Evan and Aunt Karen play Monsters University, while the other two play a Skylanders game with Omi and Auntie Kristin!
It's hard to believe that another Christmas has come and gone.  I cherish these memories every year and I love the new and old traditions we are sharing with our boys.  I am already looking forward to next year!  Now bring on 2014!

365 ~ 2013: Day 362

Hanging out on the Cape yesterday.  Thankfully it wasn't too cold to take the boys to the local park to burn off some energy after the long car ride!

December 23, 2013

365 ~ 2013: Day 357

We had such a great time hanging with the Mailloux gang this weekend and of course we can't say goodbye without getting the mandatory group picture!

December 21, 2013

365 ~ 2013: Day 355

Hanging out at Santa's Village for the day to celebrate Owen's 6th Birthday!  We had so much fun!  It rained, but the kids did not care and it's really beautiful at night.  If you haven't been in the winter, I highly recommend it!  Happy Birthday Owen, so glad we could celebrate with you!

December 20, 2013

365 ~ 2013: Day 354

Getting in some sledding before the rain washes it all away.  Hopefully we still have some left for Christmas!

December 18, 2013

365 ~ 2013: Day 352

For spirit week at the boys school it was wear accessories associated with the holiday you celebrate (hats, scarfs, necklaces).  I found this Santa hat that David wore when he was 4 months old, celebrating his first Christmas!  Evan's head is clearly too big for this hat, but he insisted on wearing it!  And making silly faces as well.

December 17, 2013

December 15, 2013

365 ~ 2013: Day 349

We had an unexpected trip to NY this weekend to be with family to celebrate the life of Charlie's Great Uncle.  We heard many great stories of the wonderful life he lived, and while the circumstances were sad, it was nice to be able to see everyone.  The boys really enjoyed meeting all of their distant cousins.  On our way home today, we took a quick detour into the city to see the famous Rockerfeller Center Christmas tree.

December 11, 2013

365 ~ 2013: Day 345

David had a couple piano workshops this week, today was Drawing to the Music.  He completed his artwork that will go on display at the music school and then made this one during his free art time.  There is a story behind this painting but we got busy tonight so I'll have to add it in tomorrow!

December 9, 2013

December 8, 2013

365 ~ 2013: Day 342

The boys build a Jelly-Creamer fort at the breakfast place this morning.

December 7, 2013

365 ~ 2013: Day 341

First snow of the season!  Not enough for sledding, but hopefully we'll get some more soon!  I want a white Christmas!