Christmas, part 3

Martin and Uncle Dan had some fun this Christmas - lots of games with gravity!
See what I mean? Martin kept bringing his legs to that position and throwing himself backwards for more! So fun.

Santa put a few presents on the roof again this year (as he would when we visited my grandparents as a kid). Here is Lizzie lugging in her present.

Ryan brought them down for us.

This is a bit out of order, but here is the result of Christmas morning at home. I am still cleaning up from this!

Lizzie loved her new dress (over her jammies) and her new scarf.

Brinkley enjoyed Christmas as well. Here he is with his new toy.

Martin loved his new toothbrush - he used it like a drumstick for much of the morning. You can see Brinks looking on - they have a special bond!

Lizzie was full of joy and excitement.

Santa came!

Martin and I woke up first Christmas morning. Here we are patiently waiting for Lizzie and Ryan to wake up.

Our stockings were full!

Christmas, part 2

Here are the photos from opening our home made gifts (a yearly tradition). Every year I make Dan something out of money. This year it was an airplane.

Martin is playing with Lizzie's new train set that Ryan made.

Lizzie and her new table, also made by Ryan.

Ryan made Maevey a stool too!

I think she likes it!

Lizzie and the train set.

Martin was pretty satisfied with the newspaper.

Kate made Dan these great pillows.

Lizzie painted and decorated garden ornaments/paper weights.

Ryan made wooden spoons for Kate.

Christmas, part 1

I have a lot of photos to share, here is a start! Here is Maeve in her Christmas outfit - she is beautiful in the hair bow!

We had enough snow for Lizzie and Grampy to go sledding.

And for Ryan to build a snowman!

Beautiful kissing ball.

More sledding - and big yellow in the back ground.

Ryan and I took Lizzie to the Nutcracker this year. It was so fun and she did a great job! We had anticipated having to leave at intermission if necessary, but she sat through (and enjoyed!) the whole show. Hopefully this is the start of a new tradition for us.

Christmas Season!

Both Martin and Maeve are loving the beamers this year and look for any opportunity to get close to them. Here is Aunt Kate giving Martin a closer look:

December 11

When I uploaded photos this morning, I found this on the camera. I don't think I took it, so it was a fun surprise. As you can see, Lizzie and Martin are having a lot of fun together. He is starting to get old enough so they can play together!

Last Friday night we went to Belfast to join our friends in cookie decorating and dinner. The kids had a great time with the cookies (ok, me too - I haven't decorated cookies in ages). As a bonus, there were many beautiful Christmas lights to see on the way home - Lizzie pointed them all out to us.

I forgot to get permission to post pictures of Rosa on the blog, so am posting this one without her face so you can see them having fun. After our meal, Ryan led a great game of hide and seek for the girls.

Yesterday we had a family party with Paul and Polly in Arrowsic. Dan was able to make the trip up - it was nice to see him. Most of the New England based family was able to make the trip - it was great to see everyone.

Uncle Paul took us on a walk to the light house. Cousin Owen held Lizzie's hand on the way there and carried her on the way back (thank you Owen!). All of the kids love to play with Owen (I remember feeling that way about his father Jeff when I was Lizzie's age, so that makes sense).

It looks like a nice sunny day, but it was a quick trip out and back - it was freezing and the wind was bitter.

Speaking of Jeff, here he is with Martin. I am pretty sure Martin's feet didn't touch the floor as everyone was glad to take a turn with him.

Here are some of the cousins playing I spy with holiday decorations.

Merry Christmas!

In the best news of all (saving the best for last) we heard that Martin's adoption was finalized on Friday! What a great relief to our family - I have been so anxious for this and am so glad it has happened. - it is the best Christmas gift to our family.

December

Tonight Lizzie said "Mom, take a picture of us!" and so I did. What a happy group!
Last week Lizzie, Maeve, Kate and I headed to the local library and cultural center. There were carols, a tree lighting and then Santa and Mrs Claus arrived by fire truck! It was very exciting. Lizzie had to warm up to Santa, but eventually she made it. She told him she wanted a candy cane, a bell and a train (I am sure Santa will come through on these things). She was sure to tell Santa that Grammy and Grampy were asking for new socks for Christmas.

Maeve got in on the act as well!

Last week we also put up our tree. Twice as it fell down in the middle of decorating it after the first time - we finished it the following day.

Martin enjoyed helping from the floor as well.