Christmas Night

Each Christmas we go to my grandparents - this year was no exception. Here are a few photos from the evening. I didn't take too many photos as Kendyl was a bit fussy (and my back is still hurting).

Steven loved being Uncle Seth's helper in handing out the gifts. Kendyl got a really sweet gift from my grandparents - a baby ring. Its gold with her initials - so precious.

And as usual, the night ends with a few games of pool (and darts and ping-pong).

Yet Another Family Tradition

Steven got a little excited when petting the sharks - see the wet sleeve!
Here are the hippos. Andrew spent a lot of time sitting next to the glass just watching this one bounce up and down. When we came back, she was still bouncing and Andrew started to bounce with her, then Steven, then about 3-4 other kids there. It was so cute!

When Kendyl saw the hippo, her eyes got really big, then she screamed/cried. Poor little girl.

Here's Kendyl in aw over the shark tunnel.

Each year over the Christmas break, we take a day trip. Most of the time Tim doesn't get to join us (working) and it's just the boys and I. Well this year Mom came (and Kendyl too!). We went to the Adventure Aquarium in Camden, NJ. We had a great time. What were everyone's favorites?



Me - the hippos and jelly fish

Mom - the sea cucumber (you could touch it)

Andrew - the hippos and sharks

Steven - the sharks

Kendyl - the sharks (the hippos made her cry)

Christmas Morning - part 2

""Santa" left me the traditional macademia nuts - yummm.
Andrew had to get Kendyl her own Yankees hat. She's ready for baseball season.
Our traditional Christmas shaped pancake breakfast.
Andrew sewed and stuffed a Navy themed pillow for Tim. All by hand.
Gotta love this face! He was so surprised to receive the MP3 player he wanted.

Christmas Morning!

Our Christmas Tree BEFORE Santa.

Look - SANTA came!

Our tradition - the kids have to wait on the steps until we light the tree, start the music and take a few photos - then the come running in to see the goodies.

Andrew was a bit excited over the trampoline.

Here is Steven's most wanted gift - the Playmobile hospital!

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

The boys got sleds from Uncle Seth and Aunt MonaLisa!
High School Musical - Steven loves it! Thanks Grandmom and Grandpop.
Kendyl got her highchair. So adorable in her Christmas outfit.

The adults play the Chinese Firedrill Polyanna each Christmas Eve - this year we had a game theme. Rock em Sock em Robots was the hit of the evening.

A Newer Tradition - Gingerbread Houses

Last year we tried building gingerbread houses for the first time, and had a blast - so we did it again this year. Steven decided to be different, and make a gingerbread tree!!! Even Kendyl got into the fun (pulling at the bag of chocolates as I was putting them on the roof). Tim and I work together to make our house :-)

Photo Shoot

These photos just say it all.

Gotta love the Elves!

Here are a few photos from the other day. The elves left us a chocolate fondue set - what fun! So of course we had to melt some chocolate and try it out. What's better than chocolate covered strawberries, pineapples, pretzels? Yumm, yumm.

Saxophone and a Dress

Last night Andrew had his first band Christmas concert. I think I need to talk him into playing the flute so I can actually see him while he's on stage. Why are the saxes always in the back?!?!?

We dressed Kendyl up for the occassion in her first dress. Grandmom and Grandpop bought this for her, and gave it to her when she was only a few hours old. Now she can finally wear it. Isn't she beautiful? Oh - she's laughing!!! Yup all out belly laughs - it's soooooooooooooo cute. She had us all cracking up Saturday night, and last night. What a cutie.

Santa Claus is IN town

We finally visited with Santa this weekend. Here are a few photos. Kendyl is actually yawning in the photo - not crying. I had to snap them quick as you aren't supposed to use your own camera (teehee).

This weekend was also filled with starting Christmas cookies and Andrew's science fair project. His project - Which brand of paintball splatters the most? He conducted his experiment today and we will put the presentation board together over the Christmas break.

Now I'm off to wrap presents - hopefully.

Oh where oh where have the little elves gone?

Steven had a heck of a time finding the elves on Thursday morning. Poor kid looked for about 45 minutes and couldn't find them. Finally Andrew woke up and hunted for awhile before finding them.................in Daddy's truck! Yup, looks like they were about to go for a joy ride.

Jingle was trying to drive, Jangle was on the mirror and Jenny had a comfy spot in the drivers seat. What next?!?!?!?

Well............when the boys came home from school, the elves were NOT where they left them. Looks like they were having fun swinging from our kitchen light - yikes! Thankfully they didn't break anything and were safely rescued by the boys.

We've been TP'd!!!

Seems the elves had fun the other night, and toilet papered the house! We woke up to TP in Steven's room, the hallway, down the 1/2 wall with Jingle sitting on the landing, Jingle was hanging on the railing with TP down to the 1st floor (he looked ready to jump!). It was all over the foyer, the kitchen and into the family room (including the tree) where we found Jenny playing with Kendyl's toys. Hmmmmmmmmmmm.

Thankfully the boys clean up after the elves!

The Elves Are Back!!!

The elf tradition continues, and grows! Seems Santa thought Kendyl needed an elf too. Jingle (red) and Jangle (green) arrived this morning (under our dining room tree) with their cousin Jenny. The boys were soooooooooooo excited and even Kendyl loves to smile and look at her elf. I just hope they don't create too much of a mess this year............

Decorating the Tree

We had fun decorating the tree this weekend. We love looking at our special ornaments each year! We try and pick up an ornament from our family vacation each year (or something special we did) and one for each child to represent what they are interested in that year. We picked up all of our ornament in Williamsburg last April at their amazing Christmas shop. Now we only need to get a First Christmas one for Kendyl (as we didn't know she was a girl last April!).

Andrew - saxophone

Steven - giraffe

Oh - and had to share with you the traditional photo of the kids wrapped up in the lights. We have done this for 10 years now - since Andrew's first Christmas.