Fishkill & New Years Eve

As I had previously written, we then continued on to Fishkill to complete our Christmas extravaganza. I am not sure what happened but most of the pictures I took are very unflattering so I will simply write about it. Upon arrival, the entire family had gathered at the Falahee household and it was so good to see everyone. The kids got to play with their cousins and they were definitely exhausted by the end of the day. The next night Nana and Grandpa babysat for us and Brian and I were able to meet up with Jenn and Andro for a drink or two in town. It was nice to get out and see friends without constantly being on high alert. The ironic part is that we hadn't seen Jenn and Andro since possibly the summer and they would be arriving at our house for the New Years celebration in just a few days. Since Brian had to get back to work, we left on Sunday but with the best gift of all...Nana came with us so that she could spend the week. Needless to say, we were all very happy.

Tuesday, the Buneta family arrived in MA to ring in the New Year with us which is starting to be a tradition which I really look forward to. Let me digress for a second...you know how you always have that one person who gives your kids a gift which immediately starts you plotting your revenge. You probably are wondering what the heck I am talking about. Well, Andro (Jenn notice I am not blaming you at all) brought the boys a very special present - the type of present you always joke about but never really get. Yes, Andro bought the boys a drum set. My boys love their music so this was a huge hit and still is...I must admit I even catch myself sitting down to play every once in a while. It is a perfect gift for the boys and honestly they love it so much it really makes me happy. So, I was thinking I would have to stop plotting my revenge but then I thought about the fact that when Andro was picking it out he was loving the fact he would be leaving it with us and thinking of all the nights Brian and I would be listening to the banging. Revenge is on and it will be sweet. I actually might wait awhile but mark my words - in the end I will be the one standing in the Buneta house with a huge smile on my face. :) Sorry Jenn that you get caught in the cross fire.


New Years Eve was a blast - we all had a nice dinner in the dining room, the boys played with noise makers and all fell asleep early. Nana, Brian, Andro, Jenn and I watched the Colbert Christmas special while playing trivial pursuit and drank because that game is so darn frustrating. I have to be honest the game of trivial pursuit really proves I don't have a clue about anything but before we knew it the ball was dropping and we welcomed in the new year in front of the fire and laughing. Not too bad. Did I mention it snowed all day so we were all very happy we were celebrating at home.



New Years Day we managed to do a first for Luka and Connor - sleigh riding. The little guys, Aidan and Garrett, were down for their morning naps and since the sun was shining all the big kids headed outside - bundled up for the cold. The hill on the side of our house proved to be a great little sledding spot for all of us. Before we could go sledding the boys, Luka and Connor, told us we all had to shovel first. After our hard work was done, we hit the hill and I think a great time was had by all. There are so many great pictures from sledding I hope I don't bore you.

Off we go!
All of us at the bottom of the hill (Jenn, Andro and Luka on the left - Brian and Connor on the right)

Nana pushing Connor and Daddy

Even the adults were into it...Jenn and Nana pushing Brian down the driveway to head down the street which is also a hill.

Brian and I pulling Connor back up the hill
Connor has a smile ear to ear - I am pretty sure he loved coming back up the hill as much as going down
Luka felt the very same way - he is in the tube
Aidan playing in the house - I wanted to add his picture so everyone can see how much he has grown up

The next day we were sad to see the Buneta's return home to life in NJ but we are so happy they came to visit. Thank you for coming to visit and we can't wait until next year.

Long Island Antics 2008

This year someone had a brilliant idea to do a gift exchange amongst all the kids. In the last two years, the group has expanded exponentially and the picture below is missing Alexandra, Olivia and Ava. Allison was gracious enough to host us at her house and I know my boys loved seeing everyone. I think they love all the ladies.

I think this might be one of the first times I have a picture of us. Although, I am now wishing I put on makeup and actually did my hair. Oh well, sometimes I just find it amazing I make it to places.

The next few days were a whirlwind. Garrett hanging out during Christmas Eve - he was happy to find a seat he could sit on without any help from an adult.
How cute are my boys?

Our only family picture from the holidays - If Connor's mouth looks a little funny it is because he just ate a peanut butter/ chocolate kiss cookie which he made with Aunt Laura and has the chocolate all over his face.

Garrett entertaining.
Everyone having a good time.
Christmas Morning - the boys knew exactly what to do. They ripped into their stockings immediately.
Garrett was thrilled with his toothbrush. He wanted it out of the package and he would have been satisfied all day with this as his only present.
Oh yeah...and maybe a box or two to stand on/jump on as well.

The boys playing with their new books and toys. The Wiggles guitar was a big hit.
Quick explanation of Brian receiving ketchup and canned goods. Brian comes home often to tell Grandma and I that he thinks we are going to go into a economic depression and that we should stock up on the basic necessities. Grandma obliged by giving Brian a gift of precious commodities...canned goods and water. :) Brian took them all home and put them in storage.

A little relaxation was definitely needed.

In the afternoon, all of our family came to visit. It took the boys a minute to warm up but they definitely enjoyed all the attention.
It always seems like we never have enough time...I think the fact that I don't have pictures of the boys with Grandma, Papa, Uncle Scott and Aunt Laura speaks volumes.

If this doesn't make you smile, nothing will!

I posted a lot of pictures in my last entry but didn't have many of the boys. I think the following video sums up the boys excitement and really shows how sweet they both are to each other. Hope you love this as much as I do!

Holidays 2008 - Part 1 of Many

Where to begin? The holidays were so much fun but also very hectic. Thus, no posts in over three weeks - I know once I start it will just start flowing. (Be prepared for several posts) Our holiday breaks down into five parts:
1- Massachusetts Christmas
2- Long Island Visit
3- Fishkill Visit
4- New Years in MA
5- Brian's Birthday

Just like last year, we sent a letter to Santa letting him know that we would be travelling over Christmas. Santa let us know that he would be making a special delivery to MA the night of Friday December 19th. He simply said the presents were too big and needed to make a special delivery.

Since Santa told us the delivery was too big, Brian and I got the hint and redid the third floor of our house to make it into a play room for the boys. After lots of hard work, the room came together nicely.

Friday December 19th arrived with a bang - 2 feet of snow! So Christmas eve festivities began by going outside to shovel, an attempt to build frosty (unfortunately the snow was too powdery) and snow angels of course.

Connor in his new snow pants - He kind of looks like Bob the Builder.

Grandma and Connor hard at work.

Grandpa's snow angel (I wish I had a picture of Grandpa making the snow angel but I was too busy trying to pull him out of the snow so that he didn't ruin the snow angel)

Santa came and left some presents by the fireplace. If you look closely, the green piece of paper by Santa's plate was a note from Santa. It told Connor and Garrett that they needed to go look Up Up Up Stairs to find a special present from Santa.

Opening Presents
Garrett liked opening presents but he LOVED to climb up on all the boxes and stand/jump on them.

After breakfast, we read Santa's note to the boys...Connor understood it immediately. He led us all upstairs to see the new play room. His reaction was priceless - Connor jumped around the room like he was Tigger and his smile spread from ear to ear. This was a moment I will never forget.

Thomas the Tank engine set - which Connor has admired in a catalog for over 9 months. He had picked it out last March in a brochure and has kept it in his room and shown it to us almost everyday. In the catalog there were thousands of options but he never wavered and always wanted to same set. Connor is definitely a boy with strong conviction.
When Connor wrote to Santa, his requests were his train set and a "jumpy thing". As Connor rounded the corner and saw the giant ball pit and jumpy house, he ran for it and immediately jumped in. The excitement was definitely contagious.

Christmas in MA was a success and there was still so much more to come but we definitely had some obstacles. On Sunday, Grandma, the boys and I were to drive to Long Island. The only problem was another blizzard hit our area and driving conditions were not great. I was expected to be in the New York office for work on Monday so I made a very dumb decision - I drove in the blizzard to Long Island on Sunday. Our trip was about 7 hours long and was a nail biter at times but we made it safe and sound - thank goodness.

This is what our house looked like before we left and it snowed another 6 inches with ice that day. Papa - you told me it snowed in Long Island but when we got to Long Island I didn't see any snow. I wanted to include this picture so you actually know what we were talking about.

Holidays 2008...to be continued.

The Sweetest Lullaby

Every night I put Garrett to bed and Brian reads and tells stories to Connor. Last night something wonderful happened. Garrett finished drinking his bottle, read two books and proceeded to stand up on my lap. He was comparing the star on the back of the rocking chair to the star in the curtains when he suddenly began to sing me a lullaby. It only contained the phrase "night-night" but he sang it to me almost to the rhythm of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star...it was absolutely priceless.

Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let it Snow

So what do you do with two kids when it is absolutely freezing out...you go to the Kids Fun Zone...Dah! We went first thing in the morning and spent three hours crawling through ball pits, obstacle courses, jumping on air mattresses and playing arcade games and I am not sure who had more fun - Brian or myself...just kidding, although sometimes I think we really do have just as much fun as the boys at these places. Connor and Garrett loved the games and Garrett even hit a jackpot which allowed them to go crazy at the ticket counter - lollipops, sunglasses and stamps for everyone.

When we woke up on Sunday, I couldn't believe that it was actually snowing. Connor immediately ran upstairs and woke Brian up. hehehe After breakfast it was mandatory that we go out and enjoy the snow. To most kids this means, making snowmen and snowballs. To Connor, this means getting the shovel and cleaning up. Basically, I think we owe him a lot of money for doing all our shoveling on Sunday. Garrett's first snow fall which he can enjoy.

Learning to use the shovel with mittens on.

Getting to work - watch out Garrett

On to the last step - almost done.

Connor's thoughts about the snow were classic. He basically told me that we had to get more snow so that Santa can come. He has a one track mind this year.

Fishkill Forgiveness

A wise man once said "Don't be travelling with those boys until they get better"...oh wait that was Papa Winston. When we woke on Thanksgiving day, we were so happy that Connor was so much better and he told us he was ready to go to Fishkill. So we went!

We had a great Thanksgiving day but that night Garrett became very sick including a 103 degree fever. We definitely left our mark on Fishkill this trip (trust me when I say you don't want anymore detail than that)...hopefully we will be invited back one day. ;)

It is several days later and I am happy to report both boys are on the mend and should be 100% very soon. Now it is time to get ready for Christmas...Ho Ho Ho! Speaking of Ho Ho (which is what Connor calls Santa), he brought out the brush the other night and swept up in front of the fireplace to get it ready for Ho Ho.