Wordless Wednesday

Christmas 2009

We woke up on Christmas Morning, and yes, Santa had arrived - big time!

Mid-way through opening gifts, we stopped to enjoy breakfast...

Nana and PopPop took us all to brunch at the Ballantyne Hotel.  It was wonderful.  There was delicious food, beautiful ambiance and great music.  The boys loved every minute of it, especially Finnegan who ate just about everything on his PopPop's plate!

After naps, we all came back to the house to play with all the new toys (and boxes)

It was a wonderful Christmas and we loved spending it with family.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve, we awaited the arrival of Nana, PopPop and Aunt Snooze.  We had the buffet of appetizers set up, and the boys could not resist, but helped themselves before our guests arrived!

 Our family enjoyed a quiet Christmas Eve dinner together.

Before the boys went to bed, we put out snacks for Santa.  

(Santa enjoys peanut butter cookies and 7&7)

Let's hope that Santa assembles the toys before he drinks his cocktail!

A Christmas Wonderland

This morning we went on an adventure with the Parkers.  

We heard that Black Lion, a very non-childproof upscale store, 

had a Christmas Wonderland for the kids.  

Jen and I were skeptical, but pleasantly surprised. 

The boys and I arrived and were greeted by Aidan and Ella's smiling faces.

Patrick sat in Santa's Chair (notice how happy he is when Santa isn't there)

While all of his friends played, Finnegan found a race car parked in the sand.  He spent the entire time playing "in the sandbox".  Finn would pick up the sand, put it on the car, watch the sand fall off the car and then start the process again.  He was determined and had a blast!

Patrick, Ella and Aidan found Santa's mailbox.  Hundreds of children had visited the display and put their hopes and dreams into the box for Santa to read.  It took only one hour for each letter to be pulled out of the box (and then put back in) by our little elves!  

I hope that Santa doesn't mind his letters a bit crumpled!!

Christmas Cookies!

Yesterday we had a Christmas Cookie Party.  Patrick and Finnegan were great helpers!

They helped me add the chocolate chips and coconut to the Magic Bars.

(and yes, for every chip they put on the cookies, they ate one themselves!)

Then, the boys helped Gill make Peanut Butter Cookies.

Finn helped Gill pour the condensed milk...

Patrick stirred the ingredients...

and they both rolled the balls in sugar.

By the end of the party we had made over 4 dozen cookies.

We're ready to leave some for Santa and enjoy the rest for ourselves!

A Holiday-Filled Saturday

On Saturday our family really got into the holiday spirit! 

 We started off the morning visiting one of Gill's clients with Christmas goodies and then off we went to Founders Hall to watch The Bearstein Orchestra.  We enjoyed the 45 minute performance by the singing bears and their orchestra.  Patrick and Finnegan loved dancing to the music, and didn't mind performing in front of the crowd of spectators!

In the evening, we went across the street to Blakeney for their holiday event.  

We took the boys on a horse-drawn carriage ride, they absolutely loved it!  

After the carriage ride, we visited with Santa and Mrs. Claus.  Santa gave the boys gifts and high-fives, but when they went to sit on his lap.... The Hysterics began!

We enjoyed a family dinner and then finished up our day with a Christmas light show in a neighborhood down the street.  

What a wonderful day!

Flashback Friday

We have had several opportunities to visit with Santa, but have yet to get a picture this year.

At least we have the memories of Christmas' Past!  

2007

2008

We will try again this weekend, but we don't have our hopes up.

A Gingerbread Playdate

Twas the week before Christmas and at the Parker House

8 Toddlers were decorating Gingerbread Houses.

The Stockings were hung by Jennifer with care

With treats like cookies and apple cider to share

Finnegan had the gummies & Patrick the tarts

While Lizzy and Ginny's house fell apart

Ella and Aidan made it rain candy

The kids behaved so well, the moms didn't need Brandy!

With the kids finished decorating and houses displayed

The moms got to talk while all the kids played.

And we heard Jen declare as we got into the car

"A Merry Christmas with friends - How lucky we are!"

Santa Visit #2

Not a Sprinkle, a Downpour!

On Sunday, Jen, Sara and Johanna, hosted a Baby Sprinkle for me.

It was to be a small affair, but with the amount of details and love that went into it, it was anything but.

The decorations were beautiful....

We enjoyed mimosas (virgin for me), key lime cupcakes and a buffet of all my favorite foods - complete with a "Sprinkle Bar"

There were adorable favors for all to enjoy...

We played a couple very fun games.  One included everyone guessing the items in my new diaper bag.  

Surprisingly, not everyone guessed booze as a diaper bag necessity!

I was showered with beautiful gifts for my new baby boy.  

Everyone blessed us with books for his library and my hostesses topped it off with a bookcase for the nursery.  

I was even lucky enough to have Ella help me unwrap all the gifts.

I am so blessed to be surrounded by such wonderful friends.  

Not only did they make me feel so special, but they are ready to welcome my son with open arms.  

The best part of the party for me was the Downpour of love from all my friends - what a special day!