Racing

We've been having our own little Daytona 500 in the dining room the last few days.  Griff got a super cool race track for Christmas from Uncle Dave and he hasn't stopped playing it.  He loves to race Mike, but anyone will do if Mike is busy.

Mike just crashed and Griff cracked up......

Bowling Fun

We went bowling today, as it's Griff's favorite thing to do.  We all had fun.....and no one fell this year, although Abby managed to throw the ball backward once ...  :-)

We've been keeping busy during Christmas break, even without the snow.  Good thing they all got other Christmas gifts besides the new sleds that were under the tree!  Tomorrow we are going skating and then heading to the library.  Griff has hockey on Saturday so we need to get some practice in.  We might have to hit one more movie before it's back to school. Abby and I saw We Bought a Zoo the other day, while Mike had to endure the Chipmunks (it was his turn....I had to suffer through the Smurfs over the summer :-) .  Zoo was very good......and H&G really liked the Chipmunks....Mike, not so much.

That's all for now.....


Just got a strike and giving Mike a high-five!

Just Dance 3

Oh my....comic relief for Mike and me and lots of exercise for the kids. Best Christmas gift ever.

3:30am Wake Up Call

It happens every year....someone, or EVERYONE, wakes up at 3:30am ready to go.  After telling everyone to go back to sleep, I lay tossing and turning, not able to fall back to sleep. That is how I know Abby was reading in her room from 4:30am to 5:55am and Griffin was loudly sighing in frustration at the injustice of having to wait until 6am to run downstairs. Hannah, thankfully, did go back to sleep.  At precisely 6am, Abby was standing in our doorway, with Griff hot on her tail.  They ran downstairs, opened their stockings and then decided they couldn't wait for Hannah to wake up, so they ran upstairs and woke her up so they could get on with the present opening.

They all must have been on the good list, as they made out like little bandits.  No one could pick a favorite gift, they loved everything.  We've had a fun morning of playing nicely with each other, sharing gifts. A Christmas miracle itself :-)

Thank you to everyone for all the lovelies you sent our way. We love it all and are so appreciative. Enjoy the pictures!

Cookies and letter to Santa before bed......

Pretty lights so Santa can find us :-)

Our tree before Santa arrived.....

 So excited at 6am....

And the madness begins

 Hannah got an American Girl Doll from Santa, as did Abby

 Griff LOVES bowling!

 And Abby's Doll, Marie-Grace

 Hannah hugging her big white horse from G&G Meiers

 Did someone really get me a bow and arrow set??? Awesome!

 Abby with her new handmade hat from Grandma Newman and new robe

 Playing angry birds game with Dad

 Messy house :-)

 New trick scooter

 Hannah and her doll and matching outfit

Merry Christmas

Traditional family picture before leaving for Mass Christmas Eve.  Merry Christmas, everyone. Hope Santa treats you right :-)

Cookie Frosting....

Abby had her very good friend over today and I put everyone to work frosting the gingerbread men and sugar cookies I made yesterday.  They did a great job, although I think the best part was squirting the frosting all over.  We had a ton of cookies....I think I went a little overboard on the baking. I gave Abby's friend a ton to take home and the pictures show what we have left.

3 days and counting.......and trust me, we are counting.....

Hannah Gymnastics

I thought I would post some new pictures of Hannah gymnastics. She really enjoys it and is getting more and more confident every time she goes.  She likes all of it, but especially likes flipping over the bars backward!  Mike was able to come to her class yesterday and she loved showing off to Dad.

Christmas countdown is in full swing at our house.  Can you believe it, only 4 more days!! Ho Ho Ho


Practicing cartwheels over the mat....

 Front rolls over the....not sure what that is :-)

Backward rolls over the other thing :-)

Running and jumping off the spring board

Balance beam....scary!

Swinging on the bars and practicing her "cast offs"

Can you see how red her face is? Working hard!

Backward flip over the bar

Climbing like a monkey!

Breakfast with Santa at Macy's

The kids and I had breakfast with Santa this morning.  Really fun, really cute. Santa and Mrs. Claus were very nice and posed for lots of pictures.  The nice elf made reindeer antler hats for everyone.  Another nice elf painted Rudolph's red nose on Abby and Griff and a pretty snowflake on Hannah's hand. Fun morning for everyone.


Before leaving......

First to arrive at Macy's. We were a little excited :-)

Abby and the Big Guy in the Red Suit

This one is my favorite although a little blurry.....