After we returned home from Thanksgiving with the Grands, we were ready to get some Christmas decorations up!
For years we have aways made due with our trusty indoor Norfolk Pine Tree (Jr.). We would lightly decorate our beloved house plant with lights, garland and tiny ornaments. It was a perfect solution! We were never home for the holiday and it seemed silly to let a real tree slowly wilt while we spent time somewhere else......but now there's Tripp. Last year he LOVED the Christmas tree at Grands Capano's house and Bob & I knew it was time to get a tree. We decided to take advantage of the end of the year clearance at Target and snagged a tall, thin, fake tree with lights already attached - perfect for our space. Installation was a breeze! We were decorating in no time!
Tripp is a big helper and enjoyed hanging the ornaments on the tree.
Later, Tripp & I played with my early Christmas gift - a new digital camera!
I know, I know, I just got a new camera and bragged about how great it was......well, not so great. It's still a super cool camera (any camera that takes pictures and video underwater is!), but only for outdoor pics with good lighting. When you moved indoors, the quality went way down and there was a massive delay.....so I kind - of stopped taking pictures.
So, on Black Friday, Bob got me a new Canon; Yay!
Tripp & I took turns taking silly pictures
Tripp took this picture all by himself!
Ta-
Da! The tree is decorated!
This past weekend I overnight babysat Penelope.
Aubs & Sean went to MSG to see a concert and I couldn't resist! We had quite an adventure; I picked her up from daycare, we had a snack, played, dance party, dinner, books & bed. Then the next day, we had breakfast and I packed her up and home we went!
Tripp & Penny were happy to see each other and had an all day play date!
They played with toys..
Looked at Tripp's Christmas Tree....
Chilled in chairs.....
made cool crafts.....
and took a nap.....
well, an attempt at napping. I think they might have gotten a few winks, but they definitely spent the majority of their time giggling, jumping up and down in their crib / pack 'n' play, and baby talking....those darn kids!
Oh well, we mama's weren't too concerned, it was great that they had some special bonding time :-)
Then a jam session!
Some drumming lessons from Bob....
The
Orenstein Family
and our buddy John came by!
Unfortunately he was coming as the O's were going, so their paths only briefly crossed. John hung out, drank beers and played poker, while his girlfriend ,Marissa - I know, great name!
...too bad she spells it wrong; was at a Christmas party with the PE/Health Department.
It was great to hang with him an we will happily be his haven any time!
(and we can't wait to go backpacking with them!)
Originally John was going to pick Marissa up and head back to our place for a fire...but it started snowing!
The next day....
Tripp & Cedar couldn't wait to run in the fields!
My Babies
As we rounded the corner to go home we met up with neighbors, Mary & RJ sledding down the school hill......so we joined in!
With this small dusting of snow, we felt the Christmas inspiration and got to work on making some gifts. Tripp was my helper.
Tripp made sure all if the pins made it back into the tomato and then proudly exclaimed "I did it! I did it!" after each pin.
Then the always glorious - SNOW DAY!!!!!!
Our first snow storm of the year and we had to go outside and play!
Making snow balls
Always the helper, Tripp helps clean off the cars
Can you believe she's 11 years old?!
Rolling in the snow
Snow Angels
Just a little bit of
Photoshop Magic
