Holidays...all Wrapped up!

 I know it has been such a strange, and at times lonely, year...but I am so thankful that we have managed to see my parents and sister's family through out the whole thing.  Thanksgiving was special because it was the first time we have ever hosted my parents!!!  With all the traditional fixings, we stuffed ourselves and enjoyed some very competitive rounds of "Banana grams".  There was an extremely significant snow storm between Thanksgiving and Christmas that made for an adventurous walk in the woods with the kids.  I so enjoyed watching them play like when they were little pups.  As is the tradition, Meagan and I brought our kids to my parents house the first weekend in December to help with their decorating.  Usually this coincides with the annual Merrimac Christmas parade, but like most things...it was canceled.  Christmas was peaceful and calm.  I think all were satisfied with their gifts.  I was the one with the only return...and made out pretty well trading in a pair of slippers at Reny's that were too big for a perfect pair and a new walking stick to boot!  

Fiona worked hard with her mentor Pamela on an art instillation in downtown Portland.  The hours really paid off...literally and figuratively.  The show was an interactive experience, and it was well received.

A few days before the new year Meagan and I dropped the kids at my parents for another annual tradition.  Kids have been ringing in the New Year at my parents house for at least the last 5 or 6 years.  They went on plenty of long walks, ate Gampy's delicious food and stayed out of our hair for three glorious nights.  Scott and I enjoyed peace and quiet, and exploring some new local trails.

Games first.  Meal second.

Ethan created a "Car Show" cake.

Scott has a great idea!  Climb a dead tree!

Here are some details of a denim house Fiona was working on as a part of the art show installation.

Can you find Fiona?

The show was interactive.

This guy started hanging around again after Thanksgiving.

With a few cuss words, and some serious lecturing, Scott and Ethan managed to sort out the lights.

This is what 30 inches of snow looks like.

These ladies keep turning up around the house.

Helping Gammy and Gampy decorate their tree.

Gary was a lazy supervisor.

COUSINS!!!

Story:  I look down and see a ladybug with one of Theo's feathers stuck to its back.  What are the chances??

Winter walk with my son.

Christmas Eve.  Such a magical time.

Christmas morning!!!

Fiona's gift to Ethan.

Our walk while the kids were in Merrimac at "Gammy/Gampy Camp".

So many different shapes to the ice!

Checking out the sunset on a walk with gammy.

October. Check. November. November? What the???

So.  Time was creeping by at snail pace for most of this year.  Then, BAM!  It's flying!  Last month mom and dad celebrated their 50th anniversary!  Fifty years.  Fifty years.  From mom being a teenager on her wedding day...literally, and dad not being old enough to bar tend at his own ceremony...to two happily married folks in their 70's. Blink of an eye.  Meagan and I surprised them with a reservation at a pretty fancy-shmancy restaurant in Boston.  We drove them in, and hung around town until they were done.  It turned out amazing!  We had one of those incredible "indian summer" days.  Meagan and I were able to walk all over town and have a picnic dinner in the car.

Cathy and Cate visited for a total of three nights.  So much fun, as always...  Cate is not yet physically attending school, so we were able to safely play without the worry of her being "contaminated". (How awful)  

Halloween was stupid cold here in Maine.  I built a fire in the pit, but it was barely warm enough to keep us outside.  No one came for candy, so kids were happy to eat what we had.

Mom turned 70 this month as well.  Some rather big milestones in this family.  Weird to think that my parents are in their 70's.  I am currently two years older than they were when I first introduced them to my boyfriend Scott!  What?!

We are now planning ahead for Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Boy!  That snuck up on me!

Who knew there was pink foliage??

Kids and I walking the dog...off to the left.

"Ha! Ha! Pushing each other off a cliff is such a knee-slapper!"

Seriously...that's what they were doing.

We have some amazing trails right outside our front door...

This was the night Meagan and I took Mom and Dad into Boston for their anniversary.  Look at all the people!  It was 75 degrees!!!

I could not have been more excited!  The library opened to patrons!  I have to resist the urge to hoard books each time we go in.

Why  not?

Fiona's henna'd hand.

Working on a creepy gingerbread house that Cathy brought over.

Ethan's

Mine

Fiona's

This is Ethan's finished stadium.  He has been working on this scale model for over 6 months.  So worth all his effort.  Primarily constructed from recycled card board, and created entirely in his own mind.  No instruction.

Ethan captured this lovely evening sky.

I took some pictures of Mom and Dad before their fancy date.