Drive to Virginia

On December 27, we drove from New Jersey down to Williamsburg, Virginia. On the way, we stopped at Friendly's for lunch. They have great ice cream, so of course, we had to get the kids some. They had a snowman sundae, which comes with candy to decorate the snowman. Adam and Jenna decorated, but Lottie just ate anything you gave her.

Happy tummies, empty bowl.

After a long drive, we settled in to the time share. It was great, with two units of two bedrooms and two bathrooms each, so Adam got his own room, and Lottie got her own bathroom (it was huge, so the pack and play fit with lots of room to spare).

Jenna allowed Aunty Amy to do her hair. She still won't let her mom do it, but we took advantage while we were there.

Lottie and Jenna enjoyed having matching hairdos.

Fun!

Having a great time visiting lots of folks. Can't you tell from our faces? Love, Adam and Lottie

Disney on Ice

Before we had kids, our family Christmas tradition was to see a Broadway show. We hadn't gone the past few years, but since the kids are big enough to see a kid show now, we tried Disney on Ice. The cousins were very excited.

Lottie and Adam wanted to see Goosey. Jenna wanted to see Princesses.

Grandma and Lottie are happy to see the characters!

Adam and Lottie were especially excited to see Stitch. They sang Adam's favorite Disney song, "Hawaiian Roller Coaster Ride."

Later on, Minnie ended up in Japan for cherry blossom season. Adam was about to burst - he was so excited! According to Minnie, cherry blossom season is peaceful. Obviously, she has never been there! It's more like a raucous drunken party, under a beautiful pink snowfall.

Jenna made it through the Princesses, then promptly fell asleep.

We had a great time!

Christmas Day in New Jersey

When we got to New Jersey, the kids made themselves right at home. Lottie found a fun new bed under the piano bench.

Adam and Jenna enjoyed riding Jenna's new riding horse.

Jenna LOVES Adam. He is the best cousin ever. Lottie could have stayed home, but Adam can come stay with her anytime.

Opening presents.

Fooling around with Grandpa is fun!

Grandma shows Lottie how the barking, singing dogs work. It ended up being Lottie's (the dog fanatic) favorite gift of the evening.

Lottie had to get a turn on the horse too.

Then it was time for our family tradition. Bath time with cousins!

Snow!

We were up extra early for our flight to New Jersey. When you pull the kids from their cozy beds at 3:30 in the morning, they stay in their PJs until you get to the plane. Continental was super nice. The flight attendant invited Adam into the cockpit to meet the pilots. The pilots even let Adam sit in their seats and let him work the controls. What a great start to Christmas Day.

Once we got to New Jersey, Adam and Lottie were excited to see Grandpa (at the airport to pick us up) and Grandma (waiting at home). They were even more excited to see the huge bunches of SNOW covering everything. They had to check it out right away, in their totally non-snow appropriate clothes.

Lottie had never seen this much snow before. Walking felt funny!

Throwing snowballs is Adam's second favorite snow activity.

Making snowmen is his very favorite snow activity. The snow was a few days old, so it wasn't prime snowman material. Daddy was only able to get together enough snow to make a snowmouse (see head and ears, like Mickey).

The best part of any snowman or snowmouse is knocking it down and then kicking the heck out of it!

Merry Christmas!

Santa came early and all our presents have been opened. We'll be on our way to New Jersey bright and very very early on Christmas day. No posting until we get back after the new year. Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was busy! Santa visited while the kids were asleep. Then we packed for our trip. Before Christmas Mass, we noticed that it was snowing. It stuck too, just a little. The kids were excited to deliver Christmas cookies in the snow. Very festive!

Adam and Lottie were super excited to see all their presents.

Testing their new Wiggle Cars.

Dressed for Christmas Mass.

Christmas Eve Eve

Since we were going to New Jersey on Christmas Day, we did our little family celebrating on Christmas Eve and the day before Christmas Eve, or Christmas Eve Eve. Adam and Lottie each got to pick one present to open.

Examining their presents - a Hawaiian book and a Little People retro schoolhouse.

Then we took the kids to see the Festival of Lights at BLORA (Belton Lake Outdoor Recreation Area - the Army has an acronym for everything!) Everyone was excited!

There were MILES of lights. Big displays, little displays, and a giant 12 Days of Christmas one, that had all twelve days of presents on display. Adam and Lottie were sufficiently impressed. Then we went home to sleep and wait for Santa to pay us an early visit!

Santa

We got to visit Santa right before we left for New Jersey for Christmas. Who knew he visited the Fort Hood PX? Adam was happy to tell Santa that he wanted a Hiro AND a Victor (Thomas trains).

Lottie would NOT sit on Santa's lap, but she didn't cry.

She did gladly take the gift bag of free books though.

Christmas Finery

Here are the outtakes from our Christmas photo shoot. We start out amused (and holding a fire truck).

Crinkle nose.

"What is my crazy brother doing?"

More crinkle nose.

Photo shoot, part two. Tongue!

Sister mauling, part ten million.

Finished product.