Merry Christmas & Welcome 2017!

We had a memorable Christmas and winter break.  We started off break with Friday the 23rd off.  Mom took the kids and Lily's buddy Madelyn to build-a-bear for some morning fun.  The kids really enjoyed building their new friends, naming them and picking out clothes.  We wrapped up the trip with a stop at Starbucks.

That evening, while Mom and Dad packed for Pittsburgh, Johnny wanted to call Grandma.  I caught a few pictures of him.  

We went out for dinner and then came home to a note from our elf, Taylay.  She told the kids that Santa was going to come EARLY so that we could drive out to Pittsburgh Christmas Day.  They were ecstatic. They got  new mugs for hot chocolate and slippers as early gifts. 

The next morning was our Christmas! The kids made out like bandits! 

After spending some time playing with their new stuff, we finished packing up the car and headed to Pittsburgh.  We arrived just in time to head over to the Christmas Eve party.  It was a great time and the kids enjoyed meeting and playing with new kids. 

Christmas Day was a blast.  The kids woke up to presents from Grandma and Pap Pap before we got ready for the xmas party at the Bozic house.  Worked out great that the Steeler game was on that afternoon too! Lily and I had a dance party and played with snapchat in the basement while everyone else cheered on the black & gold! It was a lovely day with family! 

The next day was fun as well.  We played Pie Face and Lily spent a lot of quality time with Simone and her best pal, Sydney, who was staying at the house while her owners were away.  Lily took to Sydney (a sweet boxer) immediately and slept with her all but one night.  We were so thrilled and proud of Lily who, we are hoping, has gotten over her fear of dogs.  :)  

Dad took Mom for a ride in Pap Pap's sweet new convertible that afternoon too.  It was fabulous!

We spent time the rest of the week in the train room, making breakfast for the family, playing games, more snapchat with Aunt Krissy, making sand art with Uncle Jeff, watching movies, visiting Aunt Krissy's super fun work and at a great playground.  

It was sad to say goodbye but we had such a wonderful Christmas with everyone!  We got home and got to work setting up our Christmas goodies.  Johnny LOVES the hanging baseball in the garage so he can practice his swing all winter and the kids and Dad had a ball setting up the bird feeder.  Johnny made sure to test out Daddy's new rowing machine with his "super gecko muscles"!  

Here are the kids at New Years.  Lily made it until 1am!  The last picture sums up how we all spent the last two days! Cheers to 2017!