Hike with Grandma (Bluff overlook)

New Years Eve 2015 - 2016

Matt's neighbor hosted this year and we carried on a lot of the same traditions like balloon popping on the half hour, silly string wars, dancing and noise-makers/confetti.  Here's hoping 2016 is a happy and healthy year for our family as well as you and yours!

COUNTDOWN 5 - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1 - HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Christmas at the Michelsons

We made it to the Michelson's house in only 3 hours the morning of 12/24, which was great timing! Several lovely memories were made including: the cousins all sleeping in the same room, watching Star Wars movies nightly, opening/wearing Christmas jammies on Christmas Eve and more.  Dave and Ben had some time together putting together Christmas presents, Gavin and Chase enjoyed their video game time together, Mia and Aunt Nichole had dress up fun, Logan and Mia had tons of book/cuddle time and I enjoyed evening chats over wine with the adults.  I look forward to weaving in a Christmas at the Michelson's house every other year!  Thank you for having us :)

CHRISTMAS EVE

70 F degree Christmas Eve

a movie in the evening

matching elves

Cousins in PJs

CHRISTMAS MORNING

Star Wars Legos!!!!

a multi-ink pen. . . whoopie!!

I love Trouble

hammer toy

Shopkins

Super Logan

Jake and the Neverland Paw Patrol truck ;)

Cousin Cuddles

the boys and their video game

DRESS UP for THE NUTCRACKER

(not to be confused with Nutcracker)

Gingerbread houses

dishes with grandma, everyone helps out

back in MA, we watch grandma's favorite:  A Christmas Story

Happy Channukah!

This year we decided to celebrate Channukah all 8 nights.  Here are some pictures from the first night of Channukah, then the the 3rd night of Channukah when Dave made sufganiyot (jelly-filled doughnuts), then on the 7th night of Channukah when we had the cousins over and Skyped with Bubbe and Poppop.

don't ask but he REALLY wanted a Wet Floor sign and was ecstatic to receive one.

see Bubbe and Poppop in the background on the computer?

bookmark from Mia

Matt's fragrance samples from Le Labo

Christmas Tree

We bought our tree from the Flint Farm Stand in Mansfield this year.  Like most years, the tree had to fall down while being decorated for us to remember to stabilize it.  Maybe we'll remember next year. . . if not, it sure will be an interesting tradition.  Once cleaned up though, the finished tree looked and continues to look quite nice.  

Gavin continues his stick obsession and found 2 great ones at the farm.

Point to the tree, kids.

Hard at work decorating. . .

. . .and defending the holidays.

Done