Christmas Morning -

Santa was VERY good to us this year. Lots and lots of goodies when we woke up. Luke was so good. He woke up around 6:45 and after peeking downstairs, came running in to tell us that Santa did in fact come! We managed to keep him upstairs until 7:30. Luke and Mommy went down so he could open his stocking while we waited for Daddy and Paige to get up. They loved their gifts. Luke wasn't too sure about the Pats jersey. He was MUCH more into the Bengals one he got later that morning from Uncle Dave. Not too much time to play with toys, we were off to Stow for Christmas at The Parent's house!

"Prepping" for Santa -

We had a busy day on Christmas Eve. We had to make cookies for Santa. Of course, the kids LOVE this because the eat more than they decorate but they each got to pick out one of their cookies to leave out for Santa.




We couldn't forget about the reindeer! We sprinkled some food outside so they knew where to land.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE -

Special Christmas wishes from Luke and Paige -

- - - - HAPPY 2ND BIRTHDAY PAIGE - - - - - -

Can't believe she is TWO! Mimi came down for a nice visit. We went shoe shopping. Both kids made out. Paige got some great every day shoes and Luke got much needed winter boots. Daddy came home early and we all had dinner, cake and presents. She is growing up WAY too fast...our little girl.

First snow of the year!!

We finally have some snow. The kids were so excited to go outside and play in the snow for the first time this year. Luke was loving it, Paige, not so much. Luke and his friends Jacob and Caleb pretty much just ran around and tackled each other.

Brunch with Santa at the Country Club -

Today, we had brunch with Santa. The club did a great little brunch. They had face painting and balloon animals to keep the kids occupied along with sing along to Christmas songs. We had brunch and then the big guy (and the missus) arrived. The kids AGAIN got to sit on his lap and tell him what they wanted. If Santa doesn't get it right after 3 trips to see him this year, we're in trouble. They had little age appropriate toys for the kids that Santa was handing out. Very cute. The kids had a great time.

I got a candy cane balloon to match my candy cane face -


Check out my reindeer hat -


Lovin' the dessert, as if I haven't had enough sugar already this holiday season -


Our visit with the big guy -


Loved getting gifts from Santa himself -


Me too -


Christmas "Cheese" -


Silly smile -

Who to Marry??

I'm not sure why, but conversations with Luke these days often revolve around who he is going to marry. We were talking about me, daddy and how we got married and then had the kids. Luke is interested in this concept. I told him that when he gets older, he will find a nice girl and want to get married. He sees things differently...

Father-Daughter Handshake -

"GIVE ME COOKIES"

Jay took Luke and Paige to see Santa at the fire station in the village (I had a con call for work that ran over). It is an event with Luke's school. They read a book, cookies, and Santa comes. So when they get back, I asked how it went. Paige belts out "Santa says GIVE ME COOKIES". Jay confirmed that when Santa was leaving he did tell everyone to be good little girls and boys and to remember to put cookies out for him on Christmas Eve.

Paige has been walking around the house ever since....GIVE ME COOKIES!!!!

Cookies with Santa -

We did cookies with Santa at the Buttonwood Zoo on Sunday. The kids loved it!! They do a really good job. They set little tables and you have your cookies and milk (coffee for the big people). Santa makes his appearance and greets every table. They also have lots of decorations and an enchanted village you walk through to get to the big guy at the end to sit on his lap.

Luke asked for a Castle and Paige asked for a bear and a candy cane (this is what he was handing out to all the kids...guess she didn't want to put him out TOO much)

They were both VERY excited to see Santa. Paige kept saying, "I LOVE SANTA!!" all day long.

Luke the gingerbread man -


A bit too short..maybe next year Paige -


Waiting for Santa to arrive -


Up close and personal -


When Luke saw Santa he said "this isn't the Santa that came to my school last week" - very smart -


Loved the lights and decorations -




They both went running up to see Santa, so excited -