Getting the Wiggles Out!

beep, beep!
Emma coming down at super speed

Massimo sailing head first!

Sophia sliding so fast she's barely visible!

Francesca and Julie just hanging out

Sophia getting ready to take the plunge...Leo's standing by for safety!

team work

Leo finally climbed aboard the inflatables to act crazy too!

silly girls!

I've been a cookie baking bubble (which is the cause for much mess and no blogging, so if you're just tuning in there are lots of pictures to look at...don't forget to scroll down and down and down...) the last two days so the kids were a bit restless. We headed out to Jumping Jax for an afternoon of running, sliding, climbing and good old fashioned fun! All the kids had too much fun and both of my little darlings had well deserved naps when we got home. Some of the pictures are really blurry but I thought it captured the movement and joy they were having so I put them up anyway!

Girl Party!

Chef Cathy
whoa...look at those options!

Molly looking festive!

Cathy back at work making green popcorn for popcorn balls!

Cathy hosted the ladies for an afternoon of Christmas fun! We watched Frosty (because Sophia is afraid of the Grinch! ;), listened to tunes, frosted cookies, and made popcorn balls! Sophia had so much fun and it was neat to see the older girls, Julie and Molly, really take their cookie decorating seriously! They had themes, color schemes and real decoration prowess! Sophia and Angie were basically in competition to see who could use the most sprinkles! Thanks for hosting, and baking, Cathy...we can't wait to visit again!

Tree Trimming

It's not that I'm a bah humbug, it's just that I'm tired. It's been hectic here since the "remodel" and the sicknesses and the shopping and the cookie making and the life...and I'm just a little overwhelmed. I'm trying to stay positive and stress free, but some days are better than others! ;) Anyway, upon Charlie's insistence, we finally busted out the ornaments and decorated the tree. I was kind of content in leaving just the lights and the 3 ornaments that Sophia made on it, but I guess I'll be festive! Sophia had a great time and Leo was pretty intrigued and kept grabbing at ornaments...I mean that is what we were doing! Since then he's done a great job of leaving it alone though. It's finally ready for Santa to visit now!

2nd Annual Kids Christmas Party

Christmas Tree grilled cheese

Donut hole snowmen

tattoos and stamps before the party really gets going!

Isaac was the first one to the cookie station!

Jodie reading to a captive audience

making Christmas Tree picture frames

Lauren sporting her new hat

Brendan getting down and dirty with some sprinkles

everyone joins the cookie table now!

Aubrey and her Gaga enjoy some treats!

Jill looking festive

Sophia making her penguin hat

if there's a baby within 10 feet, mom's holding it!

This is baby Evelyn, sister to Brendan

Andres overwhelmed with all his decorating options!

Juan getting into the presents!

Sophia and Isabelle choose prime seating for lunch!

Merry Christmas!

Leo kept trying to grab and pat Francesca...he loves her!

Sophia joins Massimo and Luca in another cookie venture

Another great time was had by all! This was our 2nd Annual party and Sophia was super excited to host her friends! I tried to scale it back just a bit this year as I felt my crafts from last year were a bit ambitious. Our crafts were: adorable penguin hats, Christmas tree picture frames, and stamp painting with themed cookie cutters. There were no pictures of the last one because well quite frankly I couldn't wield the camera and control the paint situation...regardless Leo still managed to eat one of the paint covered cookie cutters! The we had a book corner and cookie decorating station. Our lunch was filled with festive goodies, as you should expect no less, including eggnog spice coffee cake, spiced cider, and quiche. We then did a book exchange and each kiddo got to open a present. It was a full house of fun and laughter and we're looking forward to keeping this tradition going!

Rejects

my personal favorite...it actually almost made the card b/c it's just classic really

We finally got our Christmas pictures taken last night and boy was it a chore. Ugh. I guess I should probably just give up on the family picture and focus on the kids only because it makes things more stressful, but I really want it so I continue to take this journey into frustration! Besides, let's be real, are taking multiple pictures of the two kids going to be any less annoying, probably not. I like to think that one day they will actually sit still or look in the same direction at the same time or smile a normal smile and that gives me hope, so if it's not true, please don't ruin my dream. Until then consider the cute rejects and look forward to the real deal in your mailbox soon!

Christmas Party

Santa again...she must really be a good girl!
Leo checking Santa out...he thinks he'll pass on this jolly old elf

tea service for one?

Sophia helping Cheyenne open a present

Leo sharing with Aunt Lara

Lara and Sophia making crafts

Look at that face! A mixture of innocence and mischief!

Sophia had a buffet of sprinkles for her cookie!

Sophia and Leo were cordially invited to their first Christmas Party (outside of our house I guess I should say) ! I must say, I love a party planner after my own heart, and this party was super cute! Lara (who just married Charlie's cousin Tom) invited us to this little shin-dig this past weekend and there was a mix of big and little kids. Sophia, Leo, and Cheyenne, who's just a bit younger than Leo, made up the little kids. Santa greeted us as we walked in and Sophia thought she had died and gone to heaven! She ran right up to him and threw her arms around him hugging him and hugging him! The kids had a grand time playing in that custom built kitchen and just generally running in circles. Sophia made some crafts and decorated a cookie, Leo just ate crafts and cookies. Walking to the car after the party Sophia exclaimed...'that was the best Christmas party ever!!' We can't wait until next year when Lara's and Tom's son gets added to the guest list! Yay!