It's Christmas Time!

This year we were blessed to have Oma & Opa visit for Christmas.  Izzy was allowed to stay home with them instead of going to school.  Every morning she would state (not ask) 'no school'.  Then it turned into 'hang out' with Oma & Opa.  It was a wonderful time to spend together even if we all just 'hung out'.

Abe was scheduled to work over Christmas so we moved actually celebrating to a different day.  However,  we still attended Christmas Eve service.  Abe snapped this photo after we arrived home.

Santa came!  We talked about this for days and she understood that night what would happen in the morning.  She must have been so excited she didn't go to sleep because she slept in till past 8 before awakening.  All the adults were patiently waiting for her to come out and see what Santa brought.

Izzy roped Opa into many activities including changing babies diaper about a hundred times.

One of Santa's presents was an Izzy sized potty, undies and potty books.  She really hasn't been interested in potty training.  My hopes were that this would help.  So far she has pee-peed 3 times but wetted herself about 30.  Sigh.

Here we are patiently waiting for the pee-pees to come out.  She even calls them to come out.  This is her princess potty book complete with her own tiara with stickers to put on it when she pee-pees.  She asks every time she pee-pees whether it be in her pants to put a sticker on it.  We'll get there.

Working on our Christmas dinner.  I think I have a few similar photos of Opa & Abe working on the turkey with Clay waiting for his share.

Christmas would not be complete without Oma's sugar cookies and sprinkles. 

Santa's Here!

 Something I truly enjoy about JP is that Santa visits the local toy store.  Izzy has been talking about him for awhile asking for gum.  When we finally saw him she didn't want to sit in his lap but never left him either.  She enjoyed showing him all sorts toys there.  Unfortunately, on the way home my car was T-boned.  I guess I should have sat on his lap and asked for a new car as well.  Luckily no one was hurt.

On the Farm

 Izzy and I were able to stay a bit longer on the farm after Thanksgiving.  Originally she wasn't too excited about the tractor.  However, after moving a few piles of dirt she really got into helping Opa work the tractor.  Maybe next year we won't have any crying at all.

 Still a delight, Izzy loves putting things on her fingers.  This time it was raspberries.

Izzy loved playing picnic with Opa.  It was so neat to see our childhood toys having a new life.

Pre-Christmas Presents

We decided to open a few gifts after Thanksgiving for fun.  These silly octopi were the first and a huge hit with all the grandkids.  Avery would wind-up and throw his like a baseball, Amelia would help the younger ones get there's going, Izzy would just giggle and Audrey would scream.  It was mass chaos. 

Izzy & Audrey had identical presents.  In our haste, I forgot to pack a pair of PJs so this was perfect for here to sleep in. 

 Izzy & Audrey then got all worked up and spent a good portion dancing for us.  It was so fun to see these two together.  I can't wait for more gatherings were they have someone their own age to play with.

 The adults were not left out.  We opened our gift exchange after the kids went to bed.  This year we decided to do a theme… "as see on TV".  Abe was super excited to get his snuggie.  We'll have to see what next year's theme will be.  Diane's already asking if we want to do an "ugly Christmas sweater" theme!

Happy Thanksgiving!

This was the first in several years when the whole family was able to get together for a holiday.  As mom & dad's new house on the farm was completed, this was it's inaugural celebration.  Though many generations were there, it never felt crowded allowing for a fun time for all.

Initially we were planning on flying on Thanksgiving.  Our original tickets were changed having us arrive at close to midnight.  We thought we could manage that one.  However, once at the airport our flight was cancelled so back home we went only to get up early the next day and reattempt this trip.  We make it on our first flight only to find they put us on a flight with two seats left.  While deciding if only 2 of us should continue, a lady gave up her seat and so we all made it.  Needless to say we were a bit exhausted.  But that didn't stop us from enjoying a wonderful turkey dinner.

Happy Halloween

 Despite having snow this weekend, Halloween was still schedule here in Boston.  JP's annual Trick-or-Treat down Centre Street at the local businesses was held again.  As we live only 2 blocks from this street, this makes for an easy Halloween.  It is always fun to see what others dress up as.  I was sure Izzy would be the only Tin Man but found out I was wrong when a family of 4 came as the whole Wizard of Oz group.

 Izzy's daycare also had their annual Halloween party at the local park.  Izzy is sitting next to two friends, Liam & Bonnie.  Good thing they feed us as we headed straight for Trick-or-Treating.

Just to give you an idea, store owners hand out candy to those Trick-or-Treating on the street.  Izzy managed to pick out almost every sucker she could find.

Lantern Festival

Typically the weekend before Halloween, JP hosts the Lantern Festival at the JP Pond.  Hundreds of people come with lanterns made or bought on location.  There is live music & hot apple cider.  It is also a time for many young ones to show case their costumes.  Then everyone marches off walking around the pond.  Even the boats are set to said lit by their lanterns.  It was quite a beautiful sight to see tine orange dots encircling the pond.

This year Izzy & I took to making her own lantern.  She wanted "princesses".  Instead of a candle, we lit hers with a flashing light that you put into your trick-or-treating bag which she loved because of the changing of colors.

These are just a few of the beautiful lanterns you could purchase.