Christmas, Oh what a time!

Jen's family was here on Christmas Eve and we had a great time! Ry received a whole bunch of toys. His favorites are the Handy Manny tool box and his Thomas and Friends trains, we also like the mikey mouse card game. Our family received a Wii and we have had hours of fun already! Even Jen plays it, which I never thought she would. She loves the Wii fit. I have just enjoyed the balance games so far, but I want to get into the yoga.

Christmas morning was terrific! I was in the playroom when Ry woke up. He noticed that there were different types of wrapping paper and he read the note Santa left, that is the way he knew that Santa came. Ry LOVED opening up all his presents! He got loads more trains, a kitchen, trios (like Lego's), a snow shovel, and some clothes. He had a typical reaction when he opened those boxes.

Kate had a blast watching Ry open all of his and her presents. Of course she got a whole bunch of clothes. She also got some toys that she can chew on.

Christmas afternoon we went up to my parents and had dinner with the family. My brother deep fried a turkey and it was terrific, my mom made a venison roast and as usual it was yummy! I have never had turkey so juicy. Ry still got a soccer ball, a Thomas tent, and more trains. We have enough trains to last us quiet a while.

The days following Christmas have been great. Ry and I shoveled the driveway and built a little ramp to jump on his sled. He tried out his new gloves that have sleeves on them, no snow got in his hands!

For New Year's Eve, we are headed over to the Wleklinski's for dinner and an early countdown. I know that Jen and I will probably not make it until midnight. I know Jen will be in bed by about 9:30 or so, and I probably will be falling asleep on the couch trying to make it to midnight. I can remember the day when I cared about staying up until midnight. Oh, how times change when you have children who do not care how late you stayed up, because they are waking up at the same time no matter what!

Enjoy the pictures and look forward to more posts next year!

Hip Hip Horray for Christmas Vacation!

It is here, well a bit into it, but it is still here. Everyone loves stay at home days! Since we have been on break here is what we have been up to:

Ry and Jen went to see the Itsy Bitsy spider, a story telling thearer in the Junior Achievemetn Center. A woman dressed up like a spider and told some stories. Ry really enjoyed it. He watched in his PJ's and enjoyed some animal crackers and juice while listening.

Ry and I went to the Library and saw the Polar Express crusing around the track. He was excited to be there when it was going. It only runs for 1 hr per day. While there we also picked up some Thomas the Train and Curious George books.

The whole family went to the indoor park at Trader Point. While there we watched Ry play and we had a picnic lunch.

Jen and Ry on Tuesday made and decorated sugar cookies, they are terrific. Today (Wednesday) Jen and Ry made Peanut Butter cookies. I helped a little, I figured out how to operate the cookie press. They are even better than the sugar cookies.

We are getting ready to host the Weyer family, for lunch on Christmas Eve. The family is excited about everyone coming over. On Christmas we will be going up to Grandma and Papa Skura's.

Ry cannot wait until Santa comes. Jen and I cannot decide whether to meet Ry in the playroom where Santa will come or hear him screaming and yelling down the hall after he discovers Santa came. I'll let you know on the next post!

It's getting closer

If anyone needs to be reminded of the pure joy a child can feel at Christmas all you need to do is come over when Ry gets out of bed. Two years ago the Schillaci (I have had 3 of their 4 children) family gave us an Elf on the Shelf. The elf, who Ry named Freddie travels every night to the north pole to report to Santa on how nice or naughty Ry has been (of course he is always nice). When Freddie flies back in the morning he is in a different place. That Freddie always finds the best places to watch Ryan. For example he was sitting in the middle of our knife holder, hanging from our kitchen light, chilling with the bananas, and dangling from the doorknob on the pantry. So after we take care of the morning business upstairs it is a mad dash downstairs to find Freddie. We love the smile on Ry's face when he finds Freddie!

Last Sunday the family had brunch with Santa and an elf @ Kincaid's in Clay Terrace. Kate was not bashful at all sitting on the big guy's lap, but Ry on the other hand would not even look at Santa. I have to ask my mom if I did the same thing, and I have a feeling that I did. Ry did get his list to Santa. Ryan was nice enough to include what Kate wants on his list also, he is such a terrific big brother.

Jen is finished teaching...for this year. She gets a nice 3 week vacation. I have another week to go before I get to enjoy the family all day everyday! In the past I have dreaded that week, but we have the students working their tails off creating a movie trailer for the book they just read, so they will be too busy to get into trouble!

It is about time for Ry to wake up, So long for now!