Merry Christmas!

Santa was good to us this year.

Boys lounging. Not too much better than lazy Christmas morning with a fire going.
Then an early morning flight to Boston to see family.
Annmarie & Eric. This year we did an "As seen on tv" gift exchange with the siblings. No, no shake weights were given/received. We did score a pirate skull snuggie and Big Top cupcake mould.
Sisters-in-law
Priya using her new drawing board.
We left Shrewsbury that night and headed to Cape Cod to see my Mom and brother. Had hoped to see extended family, but were snowed in at Mom's house and couldn't get out or get visitors. Family photo: Seamus, Mom, Robin, Justin.
Then it was back to Billerica when the storm was over to pummel Big Papa...
...and snuggle cousins.
Can't forget authentic snowing in New England! Although this storm hit Virginia while we were gone too. Most snow in over 100 years for Hampton Roads. Wow!
Met Auntie Lisa for dinner in Cambridge :)
Our flight home was New Year's Eve so we stopped by Uncle Eddy & Aunt Pupi's house. Almost the whole Montes family was there. It was great fun, and I finally heard the Cuban tradition of the 12 grapes at midnight. Here is Johnny & Elsa.
And the ladies man was in the house.

Joe & Ana
Airport meltdown finished when planted atop a giant cup of coffee.
Until next year!

Christmas is coming.

In honor of Myles' 2nd birthday, the gang drove up and we went to Christmastown at Busch Gardens. It didn't seem as cold as last year and there was a lot to see. Here we are at the house before heading out. My son looks like a cupcake monster in this one.

The boys dancing to live Christmas songs.
Griffin, Trey & Robin

View from the skyride
Then it was party time at school.

First time with a powdered donut hole.

Happy 4th Birthday, Robin!

Our Christmas Tree

Our neighborhood had cookie decorating with Santa.
Robin stole Santa's seat when he left.
And then there was his first birthday party at school. Well, not really a party, but snack time was birthday cupcakes.
Here he is waiting patiently for his birthday party at the bounce house. Like the weight bench he got for his birthday? He likes to "train" while Dad is at work so he can get one up on him. One day I'm sure.

Abuela & Big Papa snuck in a few baskets at the party.
This yawn was well before pizza and cake. Needless to say, the day ended in total tears and meltdown. But it was fun while it lasted.
Ben 10 Cake. I did not make it and was happy about that decision.
Robin & Kyle
Me, Elisa, and my godchild Adrian. So cute!
And then guess who should arrive? Grammy. She flew in birthday evening and was there when Robin woke up. More presents and tons of fun ensued. Man, those two can crack each other up. One time Grammy was laughing so hard (& if you know her, you know what that sounds like) that Robin said, "I need to get away from this laughing trouble." and walked into the other room.
Christmas cookies of course.
Our first snowman of the season. I hope it snows a few more times here. Unlike New England when you have to drive in it and shovel it for 6 months, here it melts in a few days.

Holiday preparation

After three years of living in Hampton Roads, we finally made it to the Polar Express at Norfolk's Botanical gardens. First, they start with a hot chocolate and cookies while making a bead and jingle bell necklace. Then there is a reading of the story.
Followed by a tram ride through the garden of lights.
Joe's eyeball cracks me up here. I guess we are all in this photo.

Craft/Recycle tip? Getting lots of boxes in the mail with extra packing material? We decided to make our own wrapping paper. Just tape paper to the wall.
Paint some Christmas/Holiday stamps with favorite colors and stamp them to the paper.
Let dry.
Still hiding in boxes at almost 4 years old.
Not the greatest picture, but also wanted documentation that we went to Williamsburg's "Grand Illumination" last night and saw fireworks. Another one of those things I wanted to do in case we move next summer.
Stay tuned. We have a birthday party next weekend and out-of-town visitors.

Happy Thanksgiving...can I decorate for Christmas now?

Just kidding...mostly. I am very thankful this year for such a wonderful life. Such amazing friends and family. It was a Thanksgiving spent with great friends, but I still missed everyone else!

A section of Robinson's wall of art.

Wow, I look at these photos and see that R is getting so big. Where does the time go?
Here we are posing, reading to head over to the Dubnansky's for Thanksgiving.
Oh, and there we all are...proof that we all sat at once (at least for a short while) to eat together. We had a great time as usual with our friends that are like family. How sad if we aren't stationed next to each other next year.
I had been wanting to get a Christmas tree all weekend. Today was the day and getting the tree was fine. Bringing it home went off without a hitch...thank you Saab roof rails.
Robin & I hung out in the car while Joe put the tree on the roof. You don't have to watch this whole video, but I know my mom will get a kick out of it. A couple of my favorite parts are at 45 seconds in and 1:44. Let's hear it for Wham's "Last Christmas"!
Robin is very into cutting lately and getting quite good at it.
Putting the tree up, though, did not go as smooth. As I steadied the tree, Joe had the fun job of tightening the screws...4 times! Yes, the tree fell 4 times, and we concluded the tree was too big for the stand. So, I skipped to yoga, Joe & Robin went to get another tree stand, and now we must wait for tomorrow to set it up. Will post again when tree is finally up & decorated!