March

Here are a few phone photos to share.  I have not been great about getting the camera out this month, I am working to remember the camera in April.

Make a wish!

Last month, our family had the honor of helping the make a wish foundation grant the wish of a 6 year old from Florida. The weather was perfect, likes snow globe! Here are a few shots from the day. It was great to see the community come together, volunteering time, food, etc.

Ground hogs day!

Yesterday we had some friends over for a little ice skating on the lake.  Last week, Ryan cleared off some of the lake and got it ready for skating, but with the recent thaw and refreeze, that section was on the only part of the lake not ready for good skating.  Luckily, pretty much the rest of the lake was great skating, if a little bumpy.

 Grampy tries on his new skates.

 Kate checks out the ice.

 Marty borrows Maeve's skates, he didn't want to give them up when he was done!  Guess we will need to get him his own pair.

 Jay, Lizzie and Ryan.

 Here is Alison watching the plane on the right.  It went over head a few times and then came down low and waved the wings at us.  Someone around the cove uses this plane all summer, so it was fun to see it in the winter too!  I hear there were a few other fancy tricks that I didn't get on my camera too.

 Lot's of fun!

 Fuzzy, but I didn't want to miss Bob's birthday.  Happy birthday Bob!  Laura, Rosa, Brittany, Joy, Lizzie, Marty and Dad are also in the photo.

 The ice started pushing to shore in the past few days, still plenty cold and thick, but not great for skating like this.

 We got some of the college friends together for a pic right before they left.

I am hoping we can do this every year, it is a great way to break up the winter!  We are hoping to get our skates back on today, we don't want to miss out on this good ice before it snows again.

Winter

It has been really cold these past few weeks so we have been doing what we can to keep busy.  The house is plenty warm, but the kids still love sitting in front of the heater!  Then, they love to "boing" which means take the cushions off the couch and chair and setup an obstacle course in the living room.  Lots of fun!

 Yesterday, Kate and I took the kids to the Maine Jump.  We had so much fun!

 They are all smiling in the same direction!  A first!

More Christmas

Here are a few more Christmas photos to share.  Every year, my family has the tradition of making gifts for each other (as Kate says, this is mandatory).  Ryan brought the made gifts up a notch this year - he made the kids a tree house!  Martin, Maeve and Lizzie will enjoy this for awhile, I think.

 I made the kids these ribbon wands.

 Ryan also made saw horses for John and Dad.

 Martin and Lizzie both received these sweaters.  So cute!  Lots of made socks, bags, calendars, candelabra, candied nuts and jams exchanged this year (as well as future oil changes, which are really one of my favorite gifts to receive).

 Here is our tree Christmas morning.

 Our stockings too:

 The kids are up!  We were all very sick over Christmas, so the kids opened presents from the couch.  They were happy and excited about Christmas, but definitely more subdued.  I was lucky to get any photos taken, as I had a bit of the flu myself.

 There were a lot of books exchanged Christmas morning.

 The Rush family opening gifts.

Holiday time

What a busy holiday it has been so far!  Earlier in December, Lizzie had her holiday dance concert.  They did an excellent job and were so fun to watch.

 Another weekend, Lizzie and I went to the nutcracker ballet - we had so much fun!  Here she is in her fanciest dress.  We went out for pizza afterwards and then I took her to do her Christmas shopping.

 Today we had the Parker family Christmas - Lizzie barely fits in front of the tree with all of the presents!

 Both of the kids did a great job with there presents today.  Lizzie is so patient and helpful (see, she is Santa's helper officially on her apron!) and Martin was pretty excited with the new toys too.  Auntie smiling in the background.

 Patiently waiting for her stocking.

 Marty likes to follow Lizzie in most things.  He thought it would be a good idea to bring his drink to join her (did I mention how much I love these two?  I am so proud to be there mother!)

 Helping Mimi with her stocking.

 Lizzie lines up her presents - this was at the very beginning.

 Martin just wanted to play trucks, so he had Lizzie help him unwrap a few things.

 Marty kept bringing new clothes for Timber to help him try on - here they have new snow pants.

 Lizzie said, "Martin, want to hold hands?" and of course he did.  Here they are in there new chairs.  They are meant to be porch chairs, but are already taking of a prominent place in front of our wood stove at home.

What a great Christmas!

Halloween and November

I am a bit behind on my blogging!  Here are some pictures from Halloween.

 The next set on my camera are from decorating our Christmas tree!  There was a lot in between that I didn't get on film.  Thanksgiving, my birthday, Dan's birthday, bowling and the trip to Boston.  I will do better in December, I am sure of it!