Snow Day

Today was the first snow day of the year (which we were beginning to wonder if we were even going to get this mild Winter!). I made blueberry cake for breakfast and then we all headed out to go sledding. It was Liam's first time out in the snow and sledding. When he came down in the morning looking for his pooh bear, he suddenly realized that it was different and rushed to the window looking at the snow. It was so cute!

Liam loved sledding too...he went down the hills over and over again with his brothers. Of course, David and Owen had fun too and David even met a playmate from school.

We headed back for a hot cocoa break (with whipped cream of course!) and then back out to make a snowman. Even though we didn't get that much snow, we were still able to make a snowman! I am so glad that we got at least one snow day for the boys. It was so much fun! ...And I must admit, I love sledding too. :)

Liam kept pointing to the ground, saying "Snow, snow!" He really had fun.

The Franklin Institute

Last week on Dave's day off we went to the Franklin Institute to see the Dinosaur exhibit that is there right now. The boys were thrilled! They loved all the dinosaurs and they even got to pretend to be paleontologists and dig for fossils. We also took them to see "Monsters of the Air" an IMAX movie about Pterosaurs (which David is very interested in as well). They loved how giant the screen was and how it made them feel like they were moving with the movie.

The boys also really loved the Sports Challenge section of the museum where they got to try out a lot of different sports activities. It was so cool! I am planning to take them back in a couple of weeks to go through the museum again, because we barely scratched the surface!

They also enjoyed climbing in the big "heart" and David even watched a REAL dissection of an eye...!

I have a feeling we will be visiting this museum many, many more times!

Christmas Day

We had a wonderful Christmas day this year. The boys slept in until 7:45 AM (We are the luckiest parents around!) and then waited for us to get everything ready to rush down the stairs to see if someone had been to our house the night before. They were so excited to see the presents under the tree and their stockings full! It is priceless watching them open their gifts...they get so excited about each one! Liam opened one present and didn't really get the concept, but he loved his gifts. He LOVES the talking/singing Winnie the Pooh that we got him. He started giving Pooh hugs and kisses right away and didn't leave his side the entire day. As soon as we got home that night, he started asking for "Pooh" and has basically not left Pooh since. It is so sweet!

After the presents were unwrapped and played with for a little while, we had our special Christmas breakfast of baked french toast and bacon. Mmmm...it is so bad for you, but we only have it once each year. :)

After breakfast and some more playing with their new presents, we headed to Mommom and Poppop's house for lunch and to see more family. We had a great time and the boys got a car load of gifts and we did too! Our families are so generous and kind to us and the boys. We are grateful! After that, we headed to Mimi and Grandpop's for dinner and even more gifts (ahh!). The boys also got to play Wii with their Uncle Al and Dave and I even played it too. :)

We came home tired and happy after a wonderful day experiencing the many, many blessings of our family. I love Christmas and seeing the boys' faces makes all the work so worth it! We are also so grateful that we get to see our families too. We love them all! It was indeed a Merry Christmas for us and I hope for all reading as well. :)

Waiting to open...

I love their expressions. :)

Lili opening his Pooh

Hugs for Pooh

Kisses for Pooh

Cars 2 of course!

Brothers. I love these two!

Breakfast

Playing with Owen's Batcave

All my men. I am one lucky girl!

Mommom opening her special gift from all of her grandchildren

The cousins!

On to Mimi and Grandpops!

Dinner was fantastic and I even came in 2nd place in our family Texas Hold 'Em Poker game. :)

The end.

Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve we went to Dave's aunt and uncle's home for the annual Christmas party. The boys loved getting to see all of our family there and also the fun gifts that Dave's aunts got them. It was really lovely getting to catch up with Dave's cousins and aunts and uncles. We love this party ever year and Uncle Bill even sang some songs for us (and somehow got me to sing with him for a couple...). Liam of course joined in with the music and danced along. :) Dave's cousin Stephanie and her boyfriend and his aunt Patty played some card games with the boys too which they loved.

After we got home, the boys all got in their Christmas jammies and put out the fresh Christmas cookies that we made that day for Santa. Then Dave read our Christmas stories that we read every year. We read the Christmas story in Luke, we read Twas the Night Before Christmas, and a Nativity book. The boys were so excited for Christmas morning and they couldn't wait to get to bed!

After they were in bed, we got everything ready and Dave and I watched a little bit of a Christmas movie with some egg nog before collapsing into bed ourselves. I was getting over a nasty cold and still wasn't feeling myself so I was especially tired. We couldn't wait for the morning!

Reading our stories...this is one of my favorite traditions! We also sang some Christmas songs together.

The boys helped me make another batch of peanut butter blossoms for Santa and the put them out along with carrots for the reindeer. Peanut butter blossoms are "Santa's" favorite in our house. :)

Smiley is all ready for Christmas. He flew back to the north pole after Christmas and won't be back till next year. I kind of miss him. :)

Gingerbread House

On Christmas Eve we all made our gingerbread house together. Liam did not get it, but enjoyed eating the candy. :) David and Owen spent a long time getting it just right. It was really cute.

Christmas Song

On Christmas Eve, our boys sang "Away in a Manger". It was really sweet. Owen wasn't feeling well, but he had practiced all week and was so excited to sing. Precious!

Longwood Gardens Christmas

The night before Christmas Eve, we went to Longwood Gardens as a family to see all the Christmas lights and displays and the trains. This is a yearly tradition for us and it was a beautiful night and we all loved looking at all the beautiful displays. My mom came with us which was a special treat. The boys loved the trains and we were surprised at how much Liam loved the trains and the lights. He really loved the trains...it was so cute. David and Owen of course were thrilled with the trains. :)

We had a great time as a family!