I practically have a twelve year old!

Oh boy.  Let's see....since I last updated Scott has survived the world's grossest cough (which the doctor thinks was the flu)...we have had some decent snow storms...Liz visited with her three year old and three month old...Fiona and Ethan have built numerous snow forts and people...I have been diagnosed with Lyme...survived a terrible allergic reaction resulting in hives too disgusting to post that landed me in the ER...and we have celebrated Ethan's birthday a few days early to be sure Auntie could attend before her annual meeting in Florida.  I think that about covers it.  So, as usual, big ups and downs.  Not even going to attempt to predict what the future holds.  I am just so happy to have healthy kids who are at an age where when need be, are capable of taking care of themselves.  Here's to a quick end to the winter, and a warm and sunny spring.

Kids and I are enjoying skating on the pond.

It's tiring though...

These Mainers are serious about their sledding!

Cool experiment with Gallium.

This metal's melting point is around 86 degrees F.  Melts in your hand!

Little Bernouli effect anyone?

We had a blast with "coffee spill" art.

Fiona's creation.

Ethan's...

Masking tape murals.  Fun and harmless to the walls!

Ethan and Nell.

Easiest babysitting job ever.

Enjoying donuts with Lil and the kids.

"Three-nager" and teenager.

What the hall looks like outside our apartment when the kids have their friends over.

Cullen is warming up to new people now.  He loves Heather.

And Theo thinks Mimi tastes yummy!

Sun and snow walk with the kids.

She turned around and smacked him as soon as I took the picture.  He KNOWS not to touch her hair...  What a stinker 12 year old brothers are.

Theo in the Valentine from Auntie.

Yup.  He's on the bed.  I swore this would never happen.  

It was only a matter of time before he found his way up there.

Oh yeah!  Just what he wanted.  Thank you Gampy.

Fiona sewed him his own mini jersey.

And here we go! "You'll shoot your eye out!",  just keeps running thru my brain.

New Year, same cast of clowns...

Christmas was a success.  A first for Theo and Cullen.  Both seemed to enjoy having everyone home.  Cullen totally comprehended unwrapping and receiving gifts!  He enthusiastically played with his new toys.  The kids were happiest with the gifts they got each other.  Ethan got Fiona a huge wall sticker of two lovebirds on a perch.  Fiona got him a "Perplexus" (which keeps us all busy).  After presents and plenty of relaxation we piled in the car (dog, bird and all) to head south to my parents. They were kind enough to host us for the night.  Figured it was easier to get there in the evening, rather than rush the next morning.  As always Mom and Dad put out an amazing spread, and it was great catching up with family and friends about the last years adventures.
     In keeping with tradition, the kids spent a few nights later that week at their Gammy and Gampy's, ringing in the New Year with their cousin Ellie.  The best part is that Meagan and I get a few nights to be alone with our husbands.  So relaxing... Plus I love knowing how much outdoor fun the kids are having with my parents.  On our way home from dropping the kids off in MA, Scott and I decided to climb Mount Agamenticus (near Kittery in southern ME).  It was Cullen's first hike and he did a splendid job! 
     Things we are looking forward to in the next few months...
-Auntie's birthday
-Ethan's birthday
-snow tubing
-having Ellie with us for February vacation
-visiting with friends and family

Awwww...What a sweet Dad.

Hmm... or slightly creepy...

We had some tiringly good fun at open skate.

Yup.  That's my Dad at the top of the play structure on a recent visit to Maine.

Snow steps!

Ethan's swell new pj's!  He's a real astro-snot!

Cullen thought that was a riot!

Gift exchange with friends.  They all got each other the sweetest and most thoughtful gifts.

Fun with fire and grandparents!

Spoiled.  Rotten.

On the mountain top with my boys.

Perfect way to start the year.

Cullen was aggressively loving on the car ride to my parents.

His breath in my face THE WHOLE WAY.

We had a lovely visit with Scott's Aunt, Uncle and cousins.  This is Eve.  

She's a show stopper.

My sister gave us the gift of owl pellets.  AWESOME!!!

Best science lesson in a while.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like.....you know.

So, like we expected, snow came early to Maine, and a good dose too!  Not to worry!  I was actually prepared this year.  Snow-pants, sleds and boots were at the ready!  Kids have been sledding a few times now, and we have two super hills to chose from.  One we had seen this summer and were waiting for this opportunity.  The other was suggested to us by our new friends Scott (not my Scott), Yevah and Zabel.  What a hill!  Feels like you could shoot right into the ocean!  It took real courage to aim the sled downward and let go.
This month is running on high speed...as usual.  The Merrimac Christmas Parade was canceled this year due to rain, but we still had a fantastic visit with Gammy and Gampy.  Kids helped decorate their house and tree for the holidays.  We are looking forward to an overnight visit from my parents this Friday.  They are headed north to see the kids art work in a show that Friday evening.  We are all excited.  My guess is that the next time I add to this Santa will have come, and all the hustle and bustle will have simmered down a bit.

I had to leave the room...too messy to watch.

Great blue-grass band Scott and I went to the other night.  We are loving the availability of awesome shows here.

This years first snow was a beauty.

Fiona's cookies.  Always made with love.

First hill.  It's O.K.

Second hill.  YIKES!

All four kids trying to stick together.

Kids decorated their own cupcakes for a Harry Potter themed movie night.

On our way home from vet.  Cullen was a nightmare patient!

Big kids, big help.

"We got this Gammy!"

What happens when I tell them to "Strike a pose".

What happens when I say,"Make a face!"

Family train.