Snowy Goodness

We've had gobs and gobs of snow in the last week and we actually spent some time playing in it.Cooper and Quinn are at the age where they both enjoy it...I have pictures of both kids crying in the snow in the past;lots of work getting ready for them to be outside a whole FIVE minutes. Now, they can put all their gear on by themselves(thanks school!) and actually be outside for an hour or more.....makes me tolerate winter just a little bit..Over the Christmas weekend we made a snowman, shovelled and snowblowed, and took the kids sledding. I dusted off the snowpants and bought some new snow boots and we went to a nice hill close by. Cooper had a blast.Quinn took awhile to warm up since on her first trip down she flew into the air and landed on her shoulder!Ron sprained his thumb!I ended up going backwards several times but..the temperature was perfect and the best thing of all was all the laughter and watching the elation on Cooper's face as he flew down the hill yelling "woo hoo" and then giving me two thumbs up.
Cheesy smile #1

Cheesy smile #2

Woo hoo!!!

Dardevil

Merry Christmas

after a hectic week, we enjoyed a low key Christmas...Ron worked Christmas eve-plus the iffy weather ruled out a trip to South Dakota. The kids played out in the snow(there was alot to play in)we went to the children's mass,we made Christmas cookies and discovered baking is not our forte',but the kids had a blast and Ron cooked the best turkey breast-(from Whole Foods). we used the good china and crystal that collects dust 364 days of the year.We put the kids to bed and watched a movie. This was our first year where we had NOTHING to assemble.....Christmas morning Cooper woke me up at 6:30am saying he couldn't sleep anymore-he was so excited....we made him wait until 7 and then we all went downstairs...we heard lots of proclomations that this was the "best Christmas ever", we made french toast for breakfast and the kids played with their toys...I was in my pjs until 4pm. We talked to our families and had a nice Christmas dinner with more playing outside in the snow. Quinn said"Mommy, I didn't know you had snow pants!"Guess I need to go outside more. I also did discover that I have no snow boots and snow gloves.Need to try and find some. Threw my old ones out last year and forgot to buy new ones. oops!!So I guess I should say Ron played with the kids outside.We really enjoyed hanging out at the house for a few days with no big agenda...just the four of us surrounded by a ton of snow.

Celebrations

Whew!!! What a week..so much fun but super busy. Quinn had her last swim class, Cooper had basketball practice three nights in a row, they both had piano, and Quinn had her dance Christmas program. The kids also had their Christmas class parties. I helped out at Quinn's and I am room mom for Cooper's class. The other second grade room mom had a sick kid at home so was unable to make it. Luckily, my friends Debra and Kim were able to help. We even had a planning lunch to go over the game plan. We had a ton of great parents that showed up to help and the party went off without a hitch. thank goodness....As if we were not busy enough, we met some friends at a local indoor waterpark on our first day of Christmas vacation...lots of fun but lots of running around

Holiday "Busy-ness"

This week we saw Santa....the kids shopped for each other and for Mom and Dad, we finished up wrapping gifts, and I finally am finishing up planning the second grade Christmas party..... and obsessing and stressing over it. Can't beleive Christmas is a week away! Just need to get the Christmas meal planned and shopped for and I am done!

My Daisy Scout in her official uniform Cooper's pic for his ornament(I took pics of both second grade classes)

went with Quinn and two friends and their daughters to see The Nutcracker Fantasy with dinner before at Rock Bottom Brewery. Wonderful show...the girls did great considering they were dying of thirst and there is no dialogue. The dancers were amazing and the music was gorgeous.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

After a relaxing beach getaway we were treated to a bunch of snow and COLD temps. We also had something going on every night this week-swim, soccer,piano lessons, dance, school Christmas program and Ron's work party (stayed up until 1:45 am shooting the breeze with Mike and Kathy after the party!Friday I went shopping and had lunch with Tanya,so nice to see her in person. So Saturday was a day to recuperate. All four of us lounged around all day and it was wonderful! We did the gingerbread house too.The kids are enjoying our countdown to Christmas calendar..we are definately getting into the Christmas spirit.Here are a few not so great photos of our school's Christmas program....

Ole' Ole' Ole' Amigos

We just returned from a wonderfully relaxing trip to the Mayan Riviera. The only outing was to Tulum(ruins of the Mayan civilization) and then went into Playa del Carmen(the nearest town)for dinner twice. We relaxed by the pool and beach for basically 3 days straight from 9-5. I read 3 books!!! Met a new friend who's husband was attending the same conference, so we hung out with the kids. we are both Southereners.....and had such a great time talking and am just bummed that she lives in North Carolina.Of course we should have snapped a photo of the two of us but didn't. We're even talking about meeting up at another conference next fall. The trip home took forever-delayed flights, crowded airports-but the kids were awesome travellers.Many times people remarked how well behaved they were. So proud of my two world travellers.Ron and I were the ones getting cranky. Bear with me,there are lots of photos in this post......

the beautiful bathroom...I want this at home please...... the casita.....

golf carts took you all over the property.Cooper and Quinn loved riding in these of course It's very spread out.

Had a few of these ;)

the conference put on a reception on the grounds of the hotel

Cooper and Quinn and their new friends..Davis, Gage, and Truman haging out under the cocktail table

The beautiful beach at the Fairmont

Gage, Quinn, and Coop on the waterslide. This will be probably be what they remember most about the entire trip....they must have gone down it hundreds of times.

restaraunt in Playa....we know we look like dorks....

Playing with friends

Outside our casita...love all the flora

I can't say enough great things about the Fairmont Mayakoba. Some of the nicest staff I have ever encountered.The facilities were top notch. It's not an all inclusive so it wasn't party central. The only thing I regret was not going to the spa. Heather said it that it was fabulous so I'm kind of kicking myself for not going. Now it's back to freezing temperatures, putting the laundry away, and school for the kids. it's wonderful to go on vacation but it's always nice to come back home too and sleep in your own bed. Bring it on ,Christmas.......I'm ready!!!!!!

Counting Our blessings Part 1

We had so much fun in Louisiana catching up with family and friends. Five days flew by in the blink of an eye. Went to my friend's house, where they had a bunch of puppies(Q was in heaven-asked if we could have one-um, NO!!)we went out to dinner one night, had lunch with friends, my mom and I did a little shopping,friends came over for wine in the evenings, and Ron squeezed in some golf with my brother. My parents also bought a new house. They have been looking for two years. Thought it would never happen-Like I said they've been looking for TWO YEARS!!!I must say I'm a tad bit jealous because it's beautiful....my cousin said it will be the designated holiday house from now on.

Part of the kitchen and hearth room. Can't wait to see and stay there this summer. they have a giant room with a full bath upstairs which we will be grandkid central.

Some of us also ran the Turkey Trot 5k Thanksgiving morning...which meant we could eat more that day!!so proud of Cooper and my niece. They completed their first 5k.

We celebrated my dad's birthday 3 times-lucky guy.

My cousin Kim and I pre race.

Counting all Our Blessings Part 2th

Thanksgiving day we had 25 people!! Beautiful weather, great food(cajun fried turkey-seriously the best turkey ever.....)an engagement toast(my cousins)great memories