Christmas 2011 Top 10

10. Santa came! He came!


9. Presents galore


8. Keeping the boys entertained/distracted with new toys for all of 5 minutes


7. All the boys in cute fuzzy pajamas with feet


6. No words needed for this one


5. Cole's look of complete shock to learn that he was on the "Nice" list

4. Family time 'round the tree


3. Knowing that Santa brought exactly what the boys wanted and seeing their faces light up with each gift

2. Listening to Charlie walking around saying, "Ho ho ho"

1. Wearing Dean out to the point of exhaustion. We win!

Hockey & Wine

Ryan and Cole asked to try out floor hockey this season. Things we've learned:

1. Setting ground rules for boys and hockey sticks is always a good thing
2. Cole would rather slide on the floor with his pads than actually play floor hockey
3. An empty racquetball court is the best place to kill time with 2 toddlers while waiting for their older brother's games to finish

And the best lesson of all that was a total "duh" when I learned it: When giving water to a kid wearing a hockey mask, use a straw






After their final game, we went to a party at our friends house during a freak October snow storm. There was lots of food and lots of wine, which led to lots of laughs and a quick stumble home to snuggle with the family.

Looks like it's going to be a long winter...good thing we live near a discount liquor store. Cheers!

We're Living Here In Allentown

Today was Shaye's First Holy Communion. Seeing her in her princess dress and hairsprayed curls made me realize how quickly time flies by...it literally feels like yesterday that she was toddling around and snuggling in my lap.

My crazy kids have a way of snapping me right out of my sentimental mood. Almost two hours in the car makes for four very antsy boys, and poor Aunt Lori's house took a hit from their energy.

Not only was the stuffed monkey a hit (I'm still not sure why that was hanging from the ceiling...), so was the gigantic yard. All I had to do was kick a ball as far as I could, and they chased after it time and time again. Score.

The day was going so well until Ryan called stomachache. I tried to tell him that eating approximately 75,000 pieces of chocolate wouldn't be a good idea in the long run, but he chose to take his own path.

Ry eventually rebounded (when the cake was served) and we tried for another feeble attempt at a family picture. At least Shaye looks cute...congrats to my girl. Love you loads.

Baby Steps

This has been a week of many firsts...seems like everyone decided to grow up all at once.

Ryan has declared that he's totally over the training wheels on his bike and is learning to ride a two wheeler. A few more pushes down the alley and I think he'll be crusing into the sunset.

Cole is FINALLY toilet trained I can officially say that I only have 2 kids in diapers. For that my wallet and my sanity are both thankful.

Charlie is walking! It's that cute Frankenstein hobble and it sort of happened overnight. As one of his teachers said, "I went away for a week and came back to a whole new Cha!"

And last but not least, Dean is starting to hit us with the rare but adorable half-smile. It may not take as much work as toddling across the room, but it's a cute stage just the same.

Of course I probably completely jinxed myself by writing this down. If by next week Ry is back on 4 wheels, Cole is in diapers, Charlie is crawling and Dean is frowning...send help.