Getting into the holiday spirit -

Despite the fact that we are fighting a nasty cough/fever and had to cancel all our weekend plans, we are doing our best to get into the holiday spirit.

Making holiday cards -


Dressing up -


Watching our holiday shows (Grinch is one of our favorites)-


Early shopping trip to Bristol, RI -


Making our gingerbread house (couple setbacks this year but a couple pieces of cardboard later and we were back in action) -

Cutting down the tree...

This weekend we cut down the family Christmas tree. Luke is so funny. We went to the same place as last year. Again this year, he pointed to the 14 ft holly tree and said "this one!" We talked him down a bit and settled on a nice short fat guy. Kids loved riding in the tractor. Luke LOVES decorating the house for the holidays. He is my big helper. He gets so excited and so into it. Paige and Jay are punching away on the IPAD as Luke and I deck the halls :)

Pretty Nails -

Paige got her nails painted for the first time this week. I know, so young but I couldn't resist. She has been asking for a while now. I was going to take her for her birthday but the neighborhood spa I go to is closing and I wanted to take her there. She LOVED it...of course. Was such a big girl, talking shop with her nail tech. She was right at home. For the next 72 hours, anyone that came in a mile radius of her - she would run up to that person (contractor, Luke's teachers, randoms at the grocery store, etc..)and say, "YOU SEE MY PRETTY PURPLE NAILS!!" But the cutest was when she woke up the morning after she got them done. She came running into our bedroom so pleased yelling, "My fingernails are still on!!!"

IPADaholic

Paige is a complete IPADaholic. She is hooked. Any chance she can to sneak away, she sniffs out the IPAD, goes to some remote corner of the house and starts tapping away. She can navigate that thing better than I can. We've gotta watch her, she is a piece of work that one...





And what does she do all that time on the IPAD??? Here is one of her creations -

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone....

We hosted this year. Everything turned out fine...just glad I didn't torch the bird!
Luke was so cute. In the morning, I asked him if he was going to be my big helper today. He thought about it for a moment and said, "Mommy, if Grampy wants to play with us in the basement, I will hold his hand so he can come down the stairs because he is old and needs help with the stairs...right mommy?" Grampy was the 5th kid..playing right along the other 4. They loved it! So cute to see.

Pilgrim hats-


Waiting for Chase-n-Madison (and the others!) to arrive-


Post turkey hike the next day -

This and That…

You know you’ve been working too much when your 2 year old says to you “Mommy, Lukie and I are Portuguese!” and guess what nationality their babysitter is…


Paige always wants to wear her ballet outfit for as long as she can after class. Makes her feel like a ballerina, I guess. This Saturday after class, we were headed to Target. She says, “Mommy, please let me wear my ballet tights to Target”. Little did she know but that was the plan all along, throw some pants over top. We get to Target and she surveys her outfit and so excitedly says, “Mommy, you let me wear my tights! You are a good listener, Mommy!!”

Halloween 2011

Mr. Spiderman and Miss Ariel had a great little Halloween this year. They got to wear their costumes lots of time...which is always a bonus.
They were very excited to kick the season off with a party at Nana's place. Trick-R-Treating, a magic show, and desserts. What's not to love AND they got to hang out with their cousins too!! Nana was all decked out, which was fun to see.







Trick-R-Treat tonight was a success. Not too cold. Luke is able to stay out longer and longer each year...more and more candy!! Paige and I lost the group pretty early on (had to come back for a potty break) but we had fun visiting some of the neighbors and taking our time.

Happy 7 years...no itch....

Today is our 7 year anniversary!!
Seems like a lifetime ago that we were living in Waltham, DINKs. Life was simple. Ashley Joan was our biggest responsibility. Lots changed since then. All great, of course. Wouldn’t change a thing!
I asked the kids what it means to be married:
Luke: “It means that you live together and go to the park and places together”
Paige: “GOD!” Wouldn’t elaborate.

Which color you want?

This was one of the few (maybe the only) time all three "cousin" were together. Mr. Hadley, Mad Man Marley and the baby, Parker.


After a weekend of playing in NH and then the added fun of spending the day with his cousins in Stow, Marley was as happy as can be (for a happy dog to be even happier..that's pretty happy). Dogs can definitely smile. Look at this face -

NH in Autumn -

Luke's new favorite word is Autumn. He learned it recently and he uses it whenever he can.

We went to NH this weekend for the 3 day weekend. Weather was great. We went to a fair on Saturday. Kids were loving the rides and the cotton candy:



On Sunday and Monday morning, we had some real farm time. Sunday was spent cutting fire wood for to get through the winter. Lots of wood....long winters. Luke LOVED being a part of the action. He was the big helper.



Paige and I opted for the hammock. We talked about ballet (A LOT) and about her friends and so much more!


Kids love doing the horse chores too. Paige has NO fear. I have to watch her. She'll be right in the middle of those horses in the pasture. Luke is definitely more reserved but getting used to being around the horses in the pasture and will even pet them now.