Family visits, Sickness and Christmas celebrations. They all go together!

We made it!  Our first Christmas back and we got it all done!  Even with a nasty cold that threatened our family Christmas on the 26th...we persevered!  December has been filled with many wonderful visits from family and friends.  This little house is so happy to be a home!  My old friend Cara made the trip from the Cape for a lovely day.  Mollie ventured the short distance from Jamaica Plain for a cool walk and a delicious slice of pizza from a shop down town. My godmother Sandra made the trip to Newton and joined my parents and sister along with Ellie for a nice brunch.  The Goodwin's brought their super-awesome girls over and the kids went bonkers-nuts around the house before we headed to get coffees and let them burn off some energy at the neighborhood playground.  Cate joined us for an overnight while her parents were busy signing papers for their new house!  Then Cathy and Tom arrived for Cate and we celebrated their big purchase with a yummy meatball dinner Scott made.  A few days later Fiona awoke with a NASTY cold...which we all had to some degree.  A full days rest and a perfectly healing chicken noodle soup brought us all back to life just in time for the holidays!  And what magnificent weather!  It was a white Christmas!  Sledding in a gentle cold and powdery snow made this Christmas the best I can remember.  The next day it was off to Gammy and Gampy's for more celebration.  Catching up with family friends was so great.  Those who have married...or added to their families in the last two years.  Time keeps marching on.

The gang is back together!

Before the big snow.  Cate and Ethan found the littlest patch!

Decorating their "ugly sweater" cookies.

Fiona, we said ugly...geesh!

She got the award for hardest hit by the yucky cold.

Before the kid hurricane!

Look at those faces!  No idea what is under the tree!

Risk!  He got what he asked for.

Watching the Christmas snow fall...

Fiona sewed this little guy for her brother.

Ethan spent his own money to get his sister what she asked for.

I worked on that scarf from California to MA!

With a little help from "Youtube" the "Risk" game was underway.

My beautiful baker made some award winning molasses cookies.

Sledding in Gammy and Gampy's front yard!!!

Here's to the NEW YEAR!!!!

Back in Boston!!!

The walk to the Green Line was a breeze.  So happy to have found this place!  Scott (as the man) took charge of getting the Charlie Cards and we were off.  It has been a few years since I rode the "T".  I love that there is a sign telling you when the next train is coming...and which one it is!  Yeah...it's been that long!  We decided to get off at Copley and walk to Faneiul Hall.  This meant a stroll down Newbury Street, thru the public gardens, past the skating rink and deep into the cobblestone streets and walkways around Faneiul Hall.  Each year that we were in MA Scott and I tried to get the kids here around Christmas to see the giant Christmas tree from Canada and to select an ornament from the Christmas shop.  It was nice to be back into our old family traditions.  The day we went could not have been more beautiful.  Crisp cold air (but not uncomfortably cold), bright sunshine and no wind.  Our only negative experience was on the subway ride home.  A man decided it was a great opportunity to open his canned anchovies and eat them the entire 10 stops to Newton.  What a seriously disgusting odor.  It's been a while since we were at the mercy of the crowded public.  We survived, laughed, gagged and would do it all again!
     The following weekend we were lucky enough to have Gammy, Gampy, Auntie, Ellie and Sandra over for brunch...AND it snowed!!!!!!!  My poor dear children have a crappy mom who obviously forgot that it snows here, so they went out to play in their sneakers and two layers of pants.  Thankfully I got my stuff together and ordered what they need.  We will be ready for the next snow!

How cool.  Cruising into Boston on the "T".

In the public garden.

Annual ornament selection.

This is something that is NEVER rushed.

A small detour through the Boston Public Library.  (I couldn't just walk by.)

Mmmmm....  Faneuil Hall with all its sights and delicious smells.

Scott took a moment to play Joseph.  Well done sir!

The kids made a snow kitty/angel.

Home office.

Thank you Gammy for all the greens!

Look at this happy new Linkedin photo!  I don't even care what his resume says!  I want to hire him on beard alone!

Christmas Tree Decorating and Parades! Tis' The Season!!!!

There have been so many times in the last few weeks that we have had to pinch ourselves.  Are we really home?  It feels so right.   Yes, we miss our dear friends in Texas...and the open road, BUT, nothing compares to home.  And it is true, distance (and time) make the heart grow fonder.  We needed the time away to gain this appreciation for all that was routine a few years ago. 
     Last weekend was the annual Merrimac parade.  Fiona, Ethan, Ellie and my mom rode along with my dad in his antique car.  Scott, Meagan and I tucked into the crowd along the route and snagged some joyous pictures of the kids throwing candy at the onlookers.  An event they look forward to every year.  When all was past on the parade route it was back to my parents for some delicious baked macaroni and tree decorating.  Gammy let the grandchildren dress her tree.  Ahhhh, all is right with the world.
     We also purchased our tree this week.  The quintessential tree selection day... grey and cold.  What an aroma!  I missed that smell.  The tree we had last year was a pine...no yummy fir scent.  We are making up for that this year.  I can smell our tree from upstairs!
     Kids and I are settling into a school routine.  We got our official "homeschool approval letter" from the town of Newton.  To the kids it means that I will allow them to play outside during breaks.   ( I did not permit this until the letter, just in case someone saw them and got suspicious...)  Tomorrow we will venture into Boston on the subway.  I'm curious to see how simple it will be, and how much time it will take.

Ethan got a new glove.  Time to beat it into submission.

What a lucky tree!

Not only did we get our tree here...but this market has best produce I have ever seen!

Time to put the big kids to work.

I did the lights.  Fiona and Ethan did the rest.

I think this day is one of Gampy's top ten of the year.

Giant elves decorating Gammy and Gampy's tree.