Christmas Weekend Fun!

Yeah! I did it!

Maddie and Jack bowling!

Maddie's Turn....

Harbor Town - Greg Russel Concert!

Waiting for the show to begin!

We did so many fun things to celebrate Christmas this year...on the eve of Christmas eve we went to Harbor Town for Gregg Russell's annual Christmas concert including a visit from Santa! It was cold but lots of fun...Maddie sat on the stage with Nannie the whole time. Jack didn't sit still as usual! After Christmas, while it snowed on HHI (CRAZY!) we decided to go bowling...Maddie and Jack enjoyed it for about 7 frames of a game...then they took over the game room. Jack's shoes were the smallest bowling shoes - sooooo cute! He was so excited! And Maddie was an old pro! It was a great time!

Christmas Morning 2010

Filling up with gas!
Super Jack!

Stocking time....

Did Santa really come? Waiting for the OK!

Christmas by Mrs. Claus

What a wonderful Christmas we had! Maddie and Jack were spoiled like crazy...they love everything! Their smiles and laughter make it all worth it! Can't wait until next year! xoxo

Jack's 2nd Birthday!

Eating his cake!
Jack's first motorcycle - thanks Aunt Mimi!

Candles with Mommy and Maddie

Anything with wheels works for this little boy!

Cake by Maddie.....

Jack is 2! I am having a hard time believing it...but Jack is growing up! He is talking more and more each day. He says "thank you" all the time now. Today he added "boat" and "cool" to his vocabulary. He is able to tell you what he wants too! Jack is a very independent little boy - he plays well by himself. But LOVES to play with Maddie (Mimi to him!). This morning as we pulled into school Jack said "Mommy" and pointed to himself saying "me" with a huge smile on his face. He knew it was a special day at Mommy's school...he knew it was his birthday party! He was so proud. By the way - Jack is all boy! He loves anything with wheels! Trucks are his favorite though! Over and over we read the truck book and everytime we pass a truck on the road - he says "Momma truck...Momma truck...Momma truck!" I love this boy! Happy 2nd Birthday Jack!

Dove Street

Waiting for Daddy to park the car and join us...
WOW! Look at their faces...this is their first look at Dove Street!

Checking out the drummer boy

Beach snow as they call it...."bubbles"

We loved the beach snow!

Dove St. An island tradition. 20 years of lights! But this is the last year. The childrens' faces said it all - it is a sight to see! The best way is to walk down the street so you can see everything. Then follow it with a trip slowly down the road in the car. This is a tradition we will surely miss! I guess it is headed to another street on the island...but it just won't be the same!

Santa Baby!

Post Santa's Visit

Ready for some Hot Chocolate and a cookie!

Wonder what Mommy wants for Christmas...

NOT crying - all because of the present! But he is trying to get away!

All smiles and happiness here!

So Santa came for a visit...Maddie played shy at first. But then she went up there, got her present, and told Santa what she wanted. Jack was next, Maddie carried him up there (what a good big sister!), and stood by him. Jack cried and reached out for Mommy but Santa was quick - he handed him a present. Jack stopped crying but was ready to break away. Later on, I wanted to try to get a picture of both Maddie and Jack together with Santa...but he insisted I sit on his knee too! The best Santa picture yet! All in all it was a good visit to Santa.

Gingerbread House!

Jack was in AWE!!!!!
Eating some Christmas candy corn

Still chewing on something!

Frosting....yummy!

Maddie went crazy with the frosting!

One of our favorite things to do for Christmas...make a gingerbread house! Maddie and I waited until Jack was fast asleep to get started. He woke up towards the end, ate some candy, was in awe, and felt like he helped! Maddie got a little crazy with the frosting - she was piling candy on top of candy - just to use the frosting! I helped a little...but most of this is Maddie's project. That is the best part - watching her do it her way! I love Christmas! And I love seeing my children's smiling faces!

Our 2nd annual Bluffton Christmas Parade!

All smiles while we wait for the start!
Daddy was in the parade!

Mommy and the little ones mid parade!

Nannie and Jack

Waiting for the candy!

And the Christmas fun begins!

Decorating the Tree...or as Jack says the TEE!

Maddie's list for Santa...she drew pictures and I wrote the words

Jack's scribbled list for Santa - Santa always KNOWS!

And a snack of course....he never stops eating!

Maddie in the leaf pile! So fun!

I think he is trying to be the reindeer...he stood so close to him!

Home sweet home....and the festivities begin! We have had great fun decorating the outside of our house with tons of lights. Our neighborhood really goes crazy and it is fun to see it all! It is festive even during the day! Inside our house we have some Christmas spirit too! Our ELF, Harry is a big hit each day. Jack is beside himself with wonder about this little guy! What a great season to be a kid (or an adult!) I decided to try to do something special with my kids everyday to celebrate this time of the year...we have made gingerbread cookies, seen the movie Tangled (so cute!), started our gingerbread house, made Santa countdown calendars, and we will be making ornaments next week! We are really busy - but the joy in their faces is priceless!

A NY Thanksgiving...

On the Plane
Waiting to go home...

He insisted on pulling his "pak-pak" everywhere!

Actually still brings it with him everyday now!

We love each other!

Jack and the beam...he almost walked into this several times!

We had a great trip to NY for Thanksgiving...No snow (luckily!) just some flurries. And we got to spend time with family and friends. Maddie, Jack and I made our rounds - feeding the horses, driving by our old house, and visiting EVERYONE. We even crashed a birthday party! Dan was able to celebrate his 40th in style with a surprise party....a nice trip for all.