A different kind of New Year's

Well, there's no doubt about it. New Year's Eve just isn't what it used to be. We've stopped pretending otherwise. Still, rather than stay at home and fall alseep in front of the TV by 11, we decided to catch up with Tracey and Brillo who share in our dilemma.

The happiest moment for the kids was probably a tie ... either the full-out gorging on Oreo's, or the sprinting up and down their hallway that ensued once the sugar-rush kicked in. We only gots pics of the former.

Snow Yeti

We returned to Boston to about 18 inches of snow. Heaven. Pure bliss. Nirvana. To Pip. Vivie is not so convinced. She generally prefers to observe the fluffly white stuff from the warm indoors. Meanwhile Pip simply can not get enough. He literally needs to be dragged back inside kicking and screaming. Each day he treks outside happy can be with Daddy and returns about 2 hours later crying his eyes out. "I DON'T WANT TO COME INSIDE!!!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWmVXdVGDes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z41mtiHMpHI

Here he climbs the HUGE snow mountain deposited fervently by our complex's snow-dozer happy maintenance men.


Jumping from the snow pile:


Dodging a snowball in his snow fort:


Sliding down the show chute!

The Stone's!

What an awesome visit to the Stone's! Much to our surprise the Cantin's arrive just as we did, so it was a loud and happy visit with all the kids singing, banging, running, and playing together.

I need to get myself acquainted with photoshop. Otherwise I am never going to own a group shot with more than 2 kids smiling whist facing the camera. Here are my best two ... out of like 10 attempts.

Uncle Phil!

Phil is officially Uncle Phil! I suppose he was before on my side of the family, but Suzanna makes it official on his blood side too. Look how comfy she is snuggled up with her warm and cozy uncle!

Visting Uncle George!

We also got to visit Uncle George, Aunt Jen, Al, Rhiannon, and Ever. We were supposed to be pummeled by a massive blizzard during the time we were there, but as always seems to happened whenever we brace for a big storm ... it fizzled. Barely a dusting!!! Sheesh.

Never-the-less, our visit was not a disappointment. Al officially beat Phil at his first-ever game of Risk. Note, Phil is perplexed.


Rhiannon was cute as ever. And Ever was too quick to get on camera. I am going to have to do a better job at capturing that little man on film!

Christmas Day

Joy! Phil and I were awokem to the pounding of four little feet down the basement steps. SANTA CAME!!!! Chirstmas is a long, happy day when you have toddlers. They not only wake at 7am, but they don't waste any time on boring cartoons or breakfast. No, it's an all-out blitz for the next 12 hours straight.

Pip could barely contain himself to wait for all the slow-moving grownups to organize themselves by the tree. We convinced him to keep himself busy by organizing presents in piles for each recipient. Finally it was time to select his first gift and he chose the biggest box.

Yay!


Vivie, meanwhile, was a bit overwhelmed by the sheer size of her pile. She opened a few but decided it was all a little much. Despite all our efforts to get her to open them all, she flat-out refused to continue on. She actually left a pile of about 4 presents un-opened until about 7:30 that night and even then only opened them because Pip was going absolutely insane staring at her pile of wrapped gifts.


One gift that did get opened early was these fairy wings.


And this is what was in Pip's big box. He's officially an archer. Or maybe an elf.

Pip also got several LEGO ships, cars, and trucks from Santa. Mostly he delegated the building of these to Daddy but on occasion he would help out in their construction.

Whenever we are away from home, eating normal meals is a challenge. I think Pip ate only craisins for Christmas dinner. Lots of craisins.

Vivie and I found an opportunity to cuddle with Suzanna, who was a true sweet pea!

Christmas Eve

We were back in PA for Christmas, spending lots of time with family. We were so happy to have Uncle Mike around this visit. Pip and Viv really gravitate to him ... hint, hint Uncle Mike!!

Here Pip shows off some loot he and Daddy found rumaging through the attic.


And he helps Vivie with her arts.


We made snickerdoodle muffins in the silicon snowflake muffin pan Grandma Bresler sent us and left them out for Santa. We were very careful to put them far enough back that Harry couldn't get them!


After attending Christmas Mass, we were back at home for a little festive celebration with Suzanna, Jen, and Matt.

Finally it was time for bed but Pip and Vivie were still not tired. Too much excitement! Vivie insisted on sleeping in her Christmas dress. And jumping on the bed. We had to actually separate P & V to get them to sleep, but despite all this naughtiness, Santa decided they made the good list and brought them loot anyway.