Rob's 40th Birthday 2016

We celebrated Rob's 40th birthday at The Melting Pot. I'd never been before. It was kind of exciting though we definitely permanently lost some steak in the fondue pots- haha. First world problems. There were a lot of people there to celebrate Rob and his fabulous holiday llama sweater.

Erika, Rob, and Mark

Looking dubious about something!

Post-Christmas on the Cape 2016

Our fourth visit of the year to Cape Cod!

Nancy and Grandma Kathy

Aunt Nesie and Doreen

Opening presents with Grandma, Aunt Mary, James, Aunt Nesie, Kevin

A kitchen!

Great-grandma Ruth and Kevin

Opening more presents

Chris, Nancy, Miranda, Mary, James

Katie, Kevin, and Mike

Girls gossiping

Boys hiding in the cave

Katie and me

Cuties snuggling

Me, Katie, Kevin, and Mike at the 28 Club


Grandma took them to Taylor Brays Farm


Taylor Brays Farm


At Aunt Nesie's house: James, Katie, Nesie


Steve, Miranda, and Kevin

Meeting Brielle 2016

Our first full day on the Cape we went over to meet little Brielle. We were so excited!

She is so sweet!

All comfy with baby and mama Jen

Nana Fran came over and hoarded the baby, haha.

Kevin likes his new cousin

So cute!

Meeting Ellie 2016

Janice, Darren, Ellie, and Fudgie spent a week visiting Janice's parents in Massachusetts and we were able to stop by and visit while they were there. I was so excited! When I got there, Ellie was napping. Sigh.

So I took pictures of her napping because cute.

We hung out, had some snacks, caught up, and then she was awake! Hurray!

Ellie making a suspicious "Darren-face" at James. She's learning so fast!

My head tilt suggests I am proudly displaying my baby- haha.

 

Smiling yay! I think she's smiling at Darren.

Kevin likes her too.

Best picture of grownups.

James was excited about the piano

Getting a piano lesson from Janice's mom Doris

Interactive story time with Doris and Dave

Trying out his new piano skills to entertain her.

Chaos! (for the next 18 years or more!)

Great visit! Thanks for letting us come by!

Christmas in Long Island 2016

Santa came for the sixth year in a row!!! Lots of presents and cookies gone! James woke up at 6:45 AM and instead of following the plan to come get me, Kevin and Miranda, he ran back and forth to the tree like a little crazy person. He was initially overwhelmed because he bought presents for Miranda, Kevin, and me at his school holiday fair and he wanted to put them under the tree before we got up. Haha. His running steps alerted us that he was up and we- GASP- woke up Miranda. Bob and Nana emerged to join us too.

Tree after Santa left presents

Miranda and Kevin are still waking up; James trying to give his present to Miranda.
This year, Miranda is 2.5 years old and James is 5.5 years old

Finally we got James opening his stuff, and Miranda cautiously opened one thing and announced she didn't want to open anything else. She tried to give away her presents to the rest of us. No, neither of my kids ever act like this, they were just overwhelmed by the excitement. It was funny and weird.

The only thing James asked Santa for this year: a jack-in-the-box.

Opening board games, lego-things, coloring things, kid-size basketball and soccer ball

Miranda with her plush brunette Stella doll (M creatively named her "Dolly")

Persuaded her to open Doc McStuffins Lego Clinic

Bob and Nana got a lot of Amazon Alexia love from Santa

In addition to Santa, Bob and Nana spoiled the kids like crazy- THANK YOU!

James bought me an ornament at the school holiday fair!

I was also spoiled by Kevin, Mom, and Bob- THANK YOU AGAIN!

This happened.

Just ridiculous.

Bob's favorite part of Christmas: building toys.

Success! 

Post-breakfast Battleship game 

Buddies. 

Miranda testing out James's soccer ball

And more Battleship!