New Year's Day

Every year on New Year's Day, we take down our Christmas tree.  This year was particularly difficult because the tree was so large.  It took a lot of time but with a lot of help from Elizabeth, Lee was able to manage it.

Special homemade mini donuts for breakfast.

Chicken and dumpling soup for dinner.  I made all three meals on New Year's Day, so I think that I fulfilled my cooking obligations for the year....

Christmas Day

Grammy braved the snow in New Hampshire and Massachusetts and managed to make it to Connecticut to spend Christmas Day with us.  We did a lot of lounging, cooking and eating.  It was the perfect, relaxing holiday.

We got just enough snow to make it pretty.

Christmas Morning

Thankfully, the girls sleep in a bit more now, so we all got a good night's sleep.  We had a lovely Christmas morning with lot of great gifts and great surprises.

Traditional photo of them waiting at the top of the stairs to be called down.

Santa came!

Only her sister would get her a fidget spinner - Lee and I would never allow it.

Christmas Eve - Part II

After spending time with my side of the family, we headed off to our traditional Christmas Eve feast of food and gifts at Aunt Margie's house.  I don't remember ever seeing so many gifts under the tree before - it was so great!  We were minus a few kids (those pesky bedtimes!), but still had a great time with everyone.

Elizabeth and Gavin

Love that at 13, some gifts can still get this kind of reaction from her.

It was after 11:30 when we went to bed, but being with our family was worth every mile of driving.

Christmas Eve - Part I

On Christmas Eve, we made our annual trip to New Hampshire to spend time with our family.  This year, we were able to see both sides of the family, as we visited my mother and then my sister hosted a small gathering at her house.

The weather was pretty mild, so we took Beau with us.  He was able to visit with my mom, although he spent the rest of his time hanging out in the car.

My mom and her grand daughters.

Joe, mom and me.

Cause for Applause

As posted on the school website on Friday.  We are so proud of her hard work and so happy for her that it is starting to pay off.

December Odds and Ends

A few photos that didn't make it in December:

An ice cream treat after working on a service project as a team.

Our friend Nick was sworn in as a sergeant in mid-December.  What an honor it was to be there for the ceremony.

Snowy night in Middletown. 

Session 1 - 2nd place finish. 

Shopping trip to Boston. 

Crazy spender in her favorite store. 

If it fits in the tote, it's 40% off.  Best deal ever for this kid. 

Dark chocolate from Godiva.

Naughty or nice??