Visit to the Discovery Museum

We returned home from Tahoe after Christmas with the anticipation of having Grandma and Grandpa visit from New Jersey ... only to find out that with the huge winter storm that hit the east coast, their flight had been cancelled. Long story short, it was nearly impossible to leave the east coast for nearly a week. Everyone was disappointed, so in an effort to find something else fun to fill our week, we headed out to the Children's Discovery Museum (with our new family membership thanks to the Zyla family!!!).

It was Mia's first visit and, as we all know, it's one of Luke's favorite places. On this particular day, it was packed, so we didn't stay too long ... one of the perks of being members is not feeling bad about just dropping in for an hour or two.

While we were there we split up so that Luke could do big boy stuff (his top priority was the water play area) while Mia visited the Wonder Cabinet (the infant/toddler area).

We met up towards the end for some fun on the fire engine before heading home!

Can't wait to put that membership to good use ... I'm sure we will!

Did Santa visit?

"Brother, what are we supposed to be looking for?"

Of COURSE he came!

For Luke: a marble run (that Mommy & Daddy have since sent back to the North Pole - too difficult and precise for us to put together, not to mention Luke. Santa's elves are working on a new gift for Luke), a lollipop, Chuggington trains, Kevin Henke books, and Thomas DVDs...oh, and the promise of a visit to the local roller skating rink since all Luke kept asking Santa for was roller skates (???).

For Mia: A ball pit (which Luke also loves), some "girly" cars, a caterpilllar toy, a new hat, and board books


They must have been very good kids this year!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve 2010

We had a Christmas eve filled with fun, food, gifts, and laughter. The kids had so much fun (although, I think Mia was overwhelmed by it all). What a special night!

The beautiful tree


Dressed up for Christmas Eve



Uncle Todd & Michelle


Opening gifts together - Luke loves his Playdoh set and new binoculars, Mia loves her Twilight Ladybug and musical peek-a-boo toy, and Paw loves his box of Atlantic City Salt Water Taffy!

"The children were nestled (or, passed out) all snug in their beds while visions of sugar plums danced in their heads"

More pre-Christmas fun

We traveled up to Tahoe to enjoy a white Christmas this year!

Luke & Mommy had fun decorating his Gingerbread Man and making Christmas cookies for Santa

Our car was completely full with our family of four, Brooklyn, our luggage, and the Christmas gifts, so we didn't bring any additional toys for the kids up with us. Because of this, Luke & Mia had very little to play with leading up to the big day so we decided to let them each open another early Christmas present.

Luke opened a Fire Station from Day & Paw (basically a doll house for boys ... he LOVES it!)

Mia opened a baby doll from Mommy & Daddy

Uncle Todd is here ... one of Luke's favorite people!

All Aboard!

We joined some of our favorite friends this weekend for a ride on the "Santa Train" (aka: The Napa Wine Train). Despite the dreary, cold weather and the very (VERY) early morning, we (especially the boys - Luke, Jack, and Aidan) had fun!

Luke's favorite part? Eating his favorite breakfast (french toast) on his most favorite mode of transportation ... he was loving that there was a table on the train!

Of course, the early morning (coupled with a late night the night before when Luke and Jack had a sleepover), caught up with the kids (especially MINE!) by the time the ride was over and we attempted a group photo. Oh well...

Christmas comes early (again)!

Great Grandma and Papa bought Luke and Mia a darling table for Christmas this year. Since it arrived early, and because there was no way we would be taking it up to Tahoe for the 25th, we decided to present it a bit early. As you can see, they love it ... and it is so, so nice for them to have their own little space to sit, eat, and play.

Luke currently eats nearly every meal at his new table, and although Mia still needs to be in her highchair, she joins her brother at their new table after just about every meal to have a post-breakfast/lunch/dinner snack while standing!

Luke's 2010 Gingerbread House

Somehow, unbeknownst to me, we picked up a Gingerbread House kit that was much more labor intensive than the one we got last year. What this meant was that it turned into a two day project (not such a bad thing when it's raining outside).

Day 1: Mommy and Luke made the icing and constructed the house

Day 2: Day came over and helped Luke decorate his house. This actually went on for more than 2 hours. Last year I found that we didn't have enough candy and I ended up bringing out old Halloween stuff to finish off the house. So this year I bought an extra candy set. Well, needless to say, we had MORE than enough candy!