Christmas 2013

 I got the boys new jammies for Christmas Eve.  The boys put out a cookie for Santa or at least Nick did.  Jay no longer believes in Santa (bo hoo) and off to bed they went.

 Christmas morning.  We spent all morning together, relaxing and getting ready for our friends and family.  Everyone arrived at noon and the festivities began.  Below is my mom and Linda in the kitchen.

                                                        The Ausili's joined us this year.

 Curtis got a new air soft gun and a gilly suit.  We all got the biggest kick from the gilly suit.

                                   My mom relaxing in a chair in front of the fire with Copper. 

Jay had to try on the gilly suit for fun.  Now he wants one for his birthday.  Go figure.  We really had a nice Christmas - very relaxing and the food was great - always a plus. 

Merry Christmas

It is Christmas day and I'm feeling very blessed.  I spent the day with my mom, my in laws and the Ausili's.  We were all well, the weather was good, we didn't lose power (trust me this is a big deal where I live), our basement didn't flood (yes this happened one year) and everyone was happy and joyous.  What a way to celebrate our Savior's birth.  All these pictures are from Christmas Eve.  We visited Grandpa Brad and spent the day with my mom and sister.  My nephew, Luke, was an absolute hoot this year.  I am still laughing over his cute little personality at age 2.  A pure delight, that boy is.

 My mom with her four precious grandchildren who are growing at such a fast pace!  My mom, sister and I remembered several Christmas's where it was just Jay.

                                       Jay - age 11, Nick - age 7, Lauren - age 6 and Luke - age 2. 

 Nick is following in Mike's footsteps and loving working in the shop.  He's becoming quite the wood worker.  He made me a wood business card holder for my desk and a pencil and pen holder.  I will cherish it always and they will remain on my desk until I retire!

                                              Does this picture even require a comment?

                                               A boy and his dad.  Is there anything better?

                                        New jammies for Christmas eve.  My sweet boys!

Nick's basketball experience

 On Friday night Nick played his last basketball game - for second grade anyway.  He loved it and turns out that being the younger brother has worked to his advantage on the basketball court.  Nick is fast and aggressive - all moves he's acquired from running away from his older brother. 

So until 3rd grade.........In 3rd grade Nick will actually play other teams.  This year his team played the same kids within his school.  It was a wonderful program for 1st and 2nd graders, a great way for kids to get "their feet wet" playing basketball. 

Basketball, Christmas parties and birthday parties....oh my

 The week before Christmas is always crazy for us.  Jay is knee deep in basketball and this year Nick is playing too so we have lots of practices to get to and games for Jay.  Then we have Christmas parties at school, Nick's xmas concert and Mike's birthday.  It makes for a joyous time and I do mean that as long as everyone is well, I do enjoy the week before Christmas.  This year we are all well, so far. 

 K. with her favorite boy, Nick.  I just love this girl.  She told me this summer she has a scrapbook of Nick pictures at home.  These two have been in school together since preschool.  I try to get a picture of them every year.  As you can see, Nick only tolerates so much of it.  Ha.

 Nick and his 2nd grade teacher, Mrs. Loyer.  He is obsessed with Mrs. Loyer.  He is always making things for her and always thinking of ways to make her life easier.  It's so cute. 

 Nickalicious!  He is making me something in the shop for Christmas.  The other night he took a quick break to come in and snack.  I didn't notice it until right now but he apparently grabbed a piece of his gingerbread house to eat.........hence the frosted graham cracker in his hands.  Ha. 

 Happy 41st birthday to my dear husband.  We had a relaxing evening, no practices and no games!  We had a good dinner and an even better dessert with homemade ice cream.  Unfortunately this was the best picture I could get from these three yahoos.  I don't know how to quite describe Jay's face below, Mike is at least smiling and Nick looks like a redneck (a compliment to him) with his front tooth missing. 

All Nick wants for Christmas is........

His two front teeth!

Our very busy and very snowy weekend

 Friday night started with Nick's basketball game.  The relentless snow cancelled Jay's game.  The Ausili's came out so we could celebrate Mike and Jenny's birthdays.  Mike turns 41 on Dec. 19 and Jenny turns 41 on Dec. 21. 

 It started snowing late in the afternoon on Friday and snowed all night.  It was a winter wonderland on Saturday.  Mike spent the morning snow blowing our drive. 

 Nick brought home his class pet, Carmel, the hamster.  Copper was fascinated by her.  Carmel was not amused by Copper.

 Nick made this artic habitat for school.  He finished it this weekend.  He researched how to make snow in the internet and wa-la......his artic habitat is complete. 

 My grandparents came for a visit this weekend.  My mom's entire family came and we all celebrated Christmas together. 

                                      All the great grandkids.  We are missing three of them.

                                                     My mom and her oldest grandchild, Jay

                                    My grandpa sharing a story with his great grandchildren.

                                                                   Me and my sis

 On Sunday we did our 2nd annual socks for seniors.  My friend, Laura and I do this together.  We delivered socks to my dad's nursing home and we sing carols.  I think the residents really enjoy it. 

Nick's friend, C., was Santa this year.  Nick opted to be a reindeer.  Here it is Sunday night and I can't believe it's Monday tomorrow.  Where did the weekend go - fast that's for sure.