Happy 2010

So we are a little behind on blogging. This is the first post of 2010, I know. But we just have had a crazy, but fairly picture-less year. These first two pictures are of the kid enjoying hot cocoa that Grandma and Grandpa gave us for Christmas. They were sooooo excited that Brandon's candy cane melted all skinny at the bottom.

Kathleen wanted an easy bake oven for Christmas this year. But Santa and Mrs. Claus after much deliberation decided to get her all her own stuff to make cupcakes instead. Let's face it. Easy Bake's aren't as easy (or tasty) as they claim. And since we have already ruined one, why bother ruining another. She loved it.

One afternoon I decided to be a "fun" mom and make snowmen with the kids. Man, wet snow is heavy.

So the only pictures I got of New Year's Eve are this 1) of Kathleen eating shrimp:

And this 2) of the Reese's. Sad, but that is what you get for the night.

Look how cute:

Since we didn't complete a puzzle on Christmas Eve and Day like tradition, we decided to do on on New Year's day instead.

Kathleen with her Christmas school work:

Brandon with his Christmas school work:

I have such cute kids. Brandon was sitting at the table finishing some homework. He was so cute. He had to pose once he saw I had the camera. But then he went back to work and I got the one I wanted. I sure love him.

Ryan was dancing to Napoleon Dynamite. Too bad he tamed it down by the time I got out the camera. But he didn't know I was taking a video instead of a picture. He is the cutest nerd. Here is your new EQ Pres. We might want to rethink things...

We're Home! (1 of 7)

We had a wonderful Christmas visiting family this year. We took over 200 pictures (crazy I know). Well I scaled them way down into 7 posts. Sorry, that is the best I could do. Here are the pictures of us opening gifts at home.

The kids were great little helpers with cleaning up the mess.

I am playing with my new iTouch.

I know this is a weird picture, but I got a tripod for my camera and I had to test it out.

Instead of eating breakfast this morning, the kids wanted to play with Legos. Being the overly responsible parent I am, I said okay.

The kids all got some new churchy stuff. They look so cute.

Kathleen loves her new sweater and says it makes her give snuggly hugs. If you felt it, you would understand.

It was a great week, but we are sure glad to be home.

O Christmas Tree (2 of 7)

How many trees have presents for you under them on Christmas morning. For my kids this year, it was 5. Insane, yes. But true. Here is Grammy and Pompa's tree holding their Christmas Eve gifts. Then Emily's tree holding Christmas morning gifts.

Then Grandma and Grandpa's tree holding yet more gifts for Christmas morning.

Then when we got home, even before we unloaded the car (which is how you know we really love them) there was another tree full of gifts.

Then to every one's surprise, after we were all done cleaning up from the trip, we found more presents under the playroom tree. Mom maybe should have seen that coming, and yet I didn't. Even though technically I was the one to make sure Santa put them there. I guess I have a bad memory.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas (3 of 7)

Good morning and Merry Christmas! We spent the night at Emily's for the event.

Garret was so excited about the new snow shovel. It was pretty cute.

Cody was so slow and careful with the wrapping.

Then he played with his new laptop as he opened other gifts. I guess he liked it.

Kathleen got an "ipod". It isn't really an ipod, but she doesn't know the difference.

Then we headed to the "other" family for "second Christmas." Santa came twice. Spoiled kids.

Bradley and Ruthanne:

Brandon sat on Grandpa's lap for like 30 minutes looking through the coloring book he got.

Then he swapped for Uncle Boo who he adores:

Then on to Grandma:

Cody fell head first into the edge of the coffee table. The gash must have traumatized him because he fell fast asleep while we watched the Christmas Story.

Christmas Eve (4 of 7)

For Christmas Eve, Ryan and I played songs for everyone. Here is the Nativity group:

Playing the chimes:

Pompa put together a matching game. It was fun because he had us color all the pictures first and then match them. The kids loved it.

I think Kathleen enjoyed riding Grammy a little too much.

"No room in the inn..."

Kathleen and Katie had a blood feud over who got to be Mary. In the end, Katie (very sweetly) offered to be an angel. She was so good. Kathleen on the other hand...well, let's just say, she got to be Mary. Surprise, surprise.

And, apparently, every picture taken of me, I look hot. I am sorry I put this on here, but you get what you get. I was a soldier.

Christmas PJ's. I made everyone (with great help from Spring...I miss her) Red Sox Pj's.

The cousins in their new pajamas: