procrastination

Temperature - nailed it!  

Tulips are in and not a moment too soon!

Christmas Village

I kept hearing about this from other mom's and finally decided to put it on our calendar!  Lets do it.  Nick was on his way to see Star Wars, so this was a treat for Shane, Drew and Oma Sue!

They had a very inviting roaring fire - not many folks in line on a Thursday night.  I hear the line can be up to 2 hours - yikes right?!

Here is where we waited in line (inside) for the big guy.  Check out all that wood!

A bit of anticipation

Of all the years they looked so tiny on his lap, this time they are so big!!  When did that happen?

We even got to see Mrs. Claus

Check out the other celebrities - Rudolph!

This sleigh is going to get some workout coming up!

The experience was closed with some delicious Hot chocolate - as we drove hoe ogling the lights in the area - sweet and simple night.

I must add, the boys both received a small helicopter from santa - right there!  It was super sweet and unexpected.  they rush home to put it together and play with it.  It was a pull string and could fly if pulled fast enough.  Of course Shane's broke the first night and Drew's didn't last much longer either.  Part of me thinks we would have enjoyed it more without the toy.  Wonder what the boys will say in a few years,  do they remember the toy??

Growing the bangs out

That time when you are trying to grow your bangs out and you just need some extra gel.

Amen

Love my kids

We all hit the dentist office and as a treat after we hit taco bell.  Whats not to love.  This photo says so much about our family.

I honestly didn't want to purchase 3 different drinks - they were ALL thrilled with one and could even agree on the root beer - 

this right here I ADORE - 

Painting our room

Rainy dreary day in December and I was motivated to paint (until I got the text from Rebecca about heading up to Mt. Snow!!  They took shane with them - the lucky bugger!!)  I digress....  

Love this transformation from builder manilla, to blue grey (and sometimes purple...) love this color and that I did it!!

Many a podcast I listened too.

Snow all day

Our first snow storm and on a Saturday - BEAUTIFUL.  We could just enjoy it.

6 boys out there and its impossible to get them all in one photo

When you open the nail polish bottle at all costs and use it til the last drop.

Farrah's Birthday

A birthday party we didn't want to miss.  Farrah was flying out to Providence RI to see Finding Neverland.  A play that she has wanted to see and how fitting its on her birthday.  Of course its a few states away, but she embraced the adventure with her kiddos and turned it into a great weekend being able to connect with her friends out here.  I felt so fortunate to be able to join her for a night with just one kid - It took a bit for me to decide which kiddo it would be.  I decided on Drew as I thought it would feel great for him and Macy and Tate don't get to see Drew as something other than the little brother.  

We played hockey from school on Friday and got to their hotel to enjoy a little pool time.  Macy and tate created us dripping wet and excited from the pool.

A bonus that December 1 also marks the 1/2 point for Brians deployment!  So farrah made sure to make THIS day about them.  So we went to Dave and Busters - ideal kid hang out.  I remember the end playing Ski ball with Tate and Drew to earn the final points for Farrah gift!

That night we strolled around providence as it was their town tree lighting, and some nutcrackers where in town too =!

Proof that our kids still have a high level of appreciation for playgrounds.

https://youtu.be/yNwRnGONMMk

Here is the pre-tree lighting entertainment.

The tree is lit!  Now time to find some cocktails and head back to the hotel!

I brought the Home Alone movie, but it was only viewable on my laptop - that wasn't as challenging as the sound being VERY quiet.  That didn't seem to bother them.  LOVE LOVE LOVE this photo and the movie too.

Saturday morning birthday girl!!  Just a few touches to make her feel extra special.  She is the person that truly makes YOU feel special, so I felt so fortunate to be able to turn it around and make HER feel loved.

Like wearing the honorary Leadbetter birthday hat while enjoying a delicious Cake Gypsy Carrot Cake cupcake!

I couldn't resist tossing in some Santa hats for these cuties!

Check out our lunch - Ambra had an awesome fruit basket delivered.  Went PERFECT with my cupcakes - almost all the food groups!

You know when you pack and don't really examine everything you are packing.  I bought these books over 10 years ago from Walmart.  Clearly this was their LAST wear.

The heel just feel off too.

WE linked up at the park again and got to see Farrah's long time grade school friend Alison who came up with her daughter and daughter's friend.  Love how friends from the stages of life can meet and be together. 

Love this photo of these 2 as Tate really started to get used to the big brother roll.

I have to say, the play was AMAZING!!  just fabulous.  Drew sat on my lap the whole time so he could see over the folks in front of us.  He feel asleep just for a bit, but than was back awake for all the rest!  He loved it too - really special to be there with him and our best buddies.

The boys requested this photo.

After the show I departed to let Farrah enjoy the evening with Alison and Tracey while I head to see my sister - who was 12 miles away!!  Worked out so perfect!

Here was my boots final resting place.

I LOVED the time with Stosh, we stayed up and knocked out the 2018 calendar together - so true that sister relationships change over the years - thankful for the place we are at today.