Thanksgiving & Getting into the Holidays

Well, better late than never!  Life has been wonderful, fun and insanely hectic over the past few weeks.  We had two marvelous Thanksgiving feasts and celebrated and said goodbye to Aunt Kaitlyn as she took off on a new adventure with the Air Force.

The kids are ecstatic about Christmas and love finding our Elf, Taylay, every morning.  Johnny's curls are growing by leaps and bounds, as are his legs and vocabulary.  He is learning his shapes, colors and animals and has developed a jovial personality and a dashingly charming smile, not to mention he is quick and curious.  Lily is rocking out in Pre-K, learning to write and really enjoying dressing herself in beautiful outfits everyday.

The boy loves to take baths. He heard the word, "bath", climbed in and turned on the cold water.....fully clothed. 

Weekend morning colorfest!

Someone is happy to be at the big kid table! 

Snow!!

Poor kid could barely walk. 

Snowballs at Daddy! 

Thanksgiving at Ba & Pops'. Aunt Kait with Pia. 

A little air hockey with Kali. 

Warrior Lily!!  The kids had so much fun playing with swords and light sabers in the basement! 

Grandmother and Grandfather of all "Things"!  

Thing 2 with his Grandparents. 

All of the babies.  A Thing 1, 2 and 3!  

Off to Grammy's and time for a bubble bath!

Happy Pia with her GiGi!  

I mustache you a question....

Curly J! 

Time for dinner! 

HONK! J loves noses! 

Poppy and Pia.  

Cousins!!!! 

And this is how Mommy works out.  Look out! 

A Wedding & A Water Park!

It's been two weeks and we haven't slowed down one bit.  Last weekend Mom and Lily went to Ms. Mary Lynn's wedding to Mr. Ron and it was so much fun!  Mary Lynn showered Lily (and the other kids) with thoughtful goodie bags full of personalized activities and gifts like a Frozen headband which Lily immediately put on has not taken off since.  Lily had loved seeing Mary Lynn before she went to the church and she had a blast at our dinner table with our friends Jay and Kelly.  Lily showed Kelly all of "her songs" on You Tube and Jay showed Lily the worlds most amazing spoon-on-the-nose trick.  Kept her busy for a few hours!

Meanwhile, Johnny was at Ba & Pops' house causing trouble with cousin Dean.

At Pops & Ba's before heading up to the wedding. 

So happy with the beautiful bride! 

The corsage even had a sparkly wrist band! 

One happy girl on the way to the reception! 

The day kept getting better...goodie bag! 

Coloring! 

She was a great and patient girl during dinner.  Pretty hard for a 4 1/2 year old to sit still for 3 hours! 

Loving hugs from Mary Lynn.  

Showing Kelly "All about that bass" song.  

But Jay stole the show with his spoon trick!!

Even Kelly was amused! 

Meanwhile at Ba & Pops'....Johnny was happy as a clam. 

Having lunch with Dean. 

Playing together.

At dinner with Ba & Pops.  He liked the chicken parm! 

Mom took the kids to the park quickly on Sunday between Lily's ballet and swimming classes. They did this about 30 times.  

This past weekend we went up to Great Wolf Lodge in the Poconos for a water park fun filled two days with Ba, Pops, Jack and Aunt Kait (and about 30 of Jacks school mates).  The kids missed Dad during the week and were so happy to see him on Friday when he arrived and on Saturday morning!  Lily had the best time ever and had absolutely no fear.  Johnny liked the kiddie slides and wave pools and spent a lot of time floating in the lazy river with Mom.  We can't wait to go back!

When we got home on Saturday night we lit a fire and Lily wanted to reenact a photo from 2 years ago where she was sitting by the fire, bare buns with Dad.  :)  And lastly, we spent some time outside on Sunday and Johnny got his last tractor ride of the season!   Grandma & Pap Pap, this video is just for you....  Video of crazy kids!

Playing behind some of the ropes at Great Wolf. 

Dad arrived and Lily got dressed to go see a quick movie while Johnny went to bed, 

These kids could not have been happier to spend the morning with Dad! 

I think her smile says it all.  Daddy's girl!! 

Now getting ready for the water park!  

The wolf ears were worn by all. 

Johnny wolf! 

This is what happens with Lily gets a hold of the camera! she caught Mom and Johnny  playing peek a boo. 

Wave pool with Dad. 

Now Lily's turn in the wave pool! 

Such a fun time! 

 Back at the ranch.....

"Dad, let's be like I was when I was a baby.  But I want to wear my witch hat."

Johnny get in on the fire action. 

It's cold outside!!

Not sure about the tractor ride.