Merry Christmas To All

Wow! What a great Christmas holiday. We had a wonderful time this year with traditions, family and friends. Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately, depending on your view) I didn't take many pictures. My phone actually takes great pictures and I always have it with me, yet I don't think to use it. I did get a couple of good ones, but I won't be showing any holiday slide shows (this is where the "fortunately" comes in!)

My mom came in town on Thursday (Christmas Eve Eve) and we did last minute shopping, a movie and dinner. We saw Tangled. Loved it! Then we went to a great Mexican food place by our house that the kids just love. Jaxon had no nap so he was tuckered out. He made it through the chips and queso but couldn't hang on much longer after that.

We started Christmas Eve off with a tradition of visiting my sister-in-law's sister. She throws a great Christmas Eve luncheon. Great food, great people, great memories. My brother carried the tradition following even further by tormenting my son just like he used to do me.

Yes, that is a bidet and he is telling Jaxon that that is where they get their water from at this house. When I was a kid, Jeff would have let me actually drink from it. He did (in his grown up matureness) keep Jaxon from actually drinking any thing. Good times.

Our Christmas Eve tradition to go to The Kempfs for more great food, great people and fun times. This year we added what will hopefully be two new traditions: sushi and Just Dance.

And what evening is complete without jello shots?

We also had the regular tradition of cards for adults and movie for kids.

Then it was home to bed to wait for Santa! Christmas morning was actually cold and the kids had a blast seeing what Santa brought, looking through stockings and opening gifts.

I think the favorite gift was the trampoline. The kids braved the cold to jump.

My brother and his family joined us at our house for Christmas dinner. It was the first time for us to host. We played, opened more presents and ate all day. Nonie got her picture with her grandkids.

I can't believe how fast they are growing up! Matthew is in high school!

Sunday was Christmas with the Kempfs. We had another great day of opening gifts, eating, and playing.

We are so blessed to have such wonderful family! Thanks to everyone for making our holiday a memorable one!

Cape Cawd

What a great Thanksgiving! We went to Cape Cod to celebrate with family and had a blast. There was eating, conversing, shopping, eating, drinking, shopping, eating, drinking, conversing and a little bit of sight seeing. We all had a great time. Thanks so much Duchemin Family!

The kids met Santa.

We had a great fish and chips dinner our last night there.

Spent Monday in Boston, seeing the sights and playing at the playground.

And made a beautiful gingerbread house.

Christmas will be here before you know it!

Sundays

I'm not in to football, but, man, I LOVE football season. I love the weather (which has been beautiful here for weeks!), I love the food, I love the fact it means Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas are all on their way, and I love the fact it means Kevin and his friends will be at our house watching football.

"What?!" you say; I want a bunch of men over at my house, yelling at a television, talking about fantasy football and making messes that only men seem to make? Yep, I do. These guys bring their kids and everyone plays outside. It's great. The kids have a ball playing, the men have a ball watching football in the garage and I have time to clean, grocery shop, do the laundry and, maybe, nap. Everyone's happy. As seen by the following pictures:

So, Go (insert football team name here)!

Man, They Learn Fast

"Mommy, if you pick up those Legos, I'd be so proud of you!"

I think Jaxon has learned our tricks.

While the Cat's Away...

the mice shall play.

And play is what we did while Kevin was out of town. We played at Chickfila with friends. We played at the Memorial City Mall (and yes, we played, not just shopped!) We played outside in the cul-de-sac. We had a blast. We even took our bath Saturday night out in the backyard (something Daddy would have done, but NEVER Mommy!) We missed Daddy, but we had a blast!

Jocelyne pushing Ella.

John cruising on the bike.

Will taking a breather on the scooter.

Logan showing his dinosaur face.

Avery scootin'. (The only one that would stop for an actual pose!)

Ella hanging with the big kids. She's such a trooper!

We had a few spills, run ins and some skinned knees, but no tears!!

Ready, Set...

We are all ready for our first day of school. I followed a friend's advice on taking pictures of the first day: she said it can be helpful to take pictures before the day because that day can be so crazy. In my case, I don't get to see Jocelyne on her first day, which is sad for me and also means that her daddy is left to take pictures of her (and do her hair, but we won't go there now). So I decided I'd dress the kids up Sunday afternoon before the first day and take some casual pictures of them in their clothes and with their backpacks. This way we are relaxed and having fun preparing for the day. Then I decided that I didn't want to ruin this good idea by taking them myself, so I asked afore mentioned friend (she is a professional photographer) to take the pics for me.

When did they get this big?

They really do get along this well (almost) all the time.


He insisted he could get it on himself. Bless his teacher!

Melt My Heart

Jaxon can say some of the most random things. But, at times, he says some of the sweetest things. My favorite has always been, "Mommy, you know what I love?" "What do you love, Jaxon?" "I love you!" followed by a big hug. He just melts my heart. Last night, before bed, my new favorite--"Mommy, you're my favorite Mommy!" Love him.