Girls Weekend!

Last weekend my oldest and best girlfriends came up from Maryland for our (now annual) girls weekend in CT. We had the best time. Jessica brought her two kids with her, Kim left her two kids at home. Andrew offered to stay back with all four kids while we went out one of the nights (which we quickly took him up on of course.) Best husband ever???

All of the pictures were from Stacy's camera. I was so lame and managed not to snap a single picture all weekend :(

Girls Night Out!

Kim and I.

Jessica and Stacy.

Feeding time at the zoo! Our kids had so much fun together. 

Cheeeeeeeeeeeeseeeeeeee!!

Carter and Leyla were mesmerized by Stacy's new computer.

These girls have been my best friends for as long as I can remember (in Jessica's case- 30 years??) Next to Andrew, there's no one that knows me better. Miss them already!

Jai Ho Part 2

Not sure why it wouldn't let me post both videos together. Just a little more-- (the video in my last post goes first). But now you can see the ridiculous antics going on in the background ;)

Jai Ho Magic, Part 1

Perhaps its because of our time spent in Asia? Both kids are definitely big fans of Bollywood!

Editor's Notes: Yes that is Andrew dancing/kicking in the background. I love how Leyla was trying to kick her legs too. No, we never wear pants around here. And "Santa" diapers were 75% off at Stop and Shop (so a cool $2.50 a pack!) so Leyla will be rockin' Santa diapers until approximately June ;)

Christmas Visit to NJ

The day after Christmas we piled into the car to make the drive down to NJ to visit with my Grandpa, Aunts, Uncles and cousins.  Leyla is not the best car traveler these days (that's putting it really nicely) and 95 was a basket full of issues as usual but we made the best of it. 

She's a Car Diva!

Finally homegirl feel asleep.

Of course my boy is always a fantastic little traveler. Sleeping or not.

Picture of (all!) the cousins and Grandpa. It's been a long time since we've all been in the same room together- as long as I can remember!

Zach, Connor and Leyla. It was worth the trip alone just to get these little people together (although it was great to see everyone.)

Cheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeese!

Sweet little face!

 I call these her Michael Jackson pants.

Zach and Connor at the sweet little table Santa brought Zach for Christmas.

 Another great visit!

Christmas Day Pics

This was such a wonderful Christmas! The kids are at such fun ages- everything was so over the top fun and exciting to them. Such a great day. It would be helpful if I didn't take so many pictures (and feel the need to share them all) but its too hard to pick my favorites.

Santa did a lot of research on little kitchens. We really wanted a wooden one that didn't cost an arm and a leg or take up too much space. Thank you Amazon.com! It did however take several hours to assemble, a special thanks to the elf visiting us from Denver for his help! I think its the most adorable thing and the kids just love it. Connor didn't get anything off his Christmas wish in case you were wondering, although he didn't seem to care, whew.

Trading stocking stuffers.

Goldfish and a toothbrush that plays Justin Beiber? Dreams do come true!!!

Checking it out.

Goldfish rock!

I love her little feet tucked under her like that ;)

Cooking up something.

Connor, its Nana calling (seriously- she was saying Nana! Nana! while handing Connor the phone). So cute.

Hi Nana!

Best buds!

I see you!

 Chasing C's new remote control car. Connor drives it around the house and Leyla chases it wherever it goes. Both think thats so funny.

Love.

My sweets with a sweet.

Playing cards with Uncle D.

Merry Christmas (for the last time)!

Connor's Birthday

We started the day by opening a couple presents.

 Afterwards Mom and Gerry stayed back with Leyla while Andrew, Derek, Connor and I hit the bowling alley (Connor will have his friend birthday party there later in January). It's so fun to bowl with Connor. I tried to capture everyone's super awesome bowl face!

He just chucks the ball with all his might!

 I especially love his little face just after he's thrown the ball, watching the pins go down!

 

 Derek of course had the best bowl face. He's just super awesome like that.

 Afterwards it was back home to open more presents. Connor's really into cutting with scissors so most of his presents were opened that way this year (doesn't make for a very quick process, but very cute). Connor had rockstar hair that day too :)

 Cake time!

 So proud.

Too much cake!

Thank you to everyone for the calls, cards, and gifts- he had such a fun day! Happy 4th birthday to my "baby" boy!

Christmas Eve

The fam with Uncle Derek before church (we did not see Harry at church this year but we did see the whole Gursel family and our kids got to "play" together in the cry room.) Was really fun to see them and for them to get to see our kiddoes!

The girl and I.

Trying on her new winter hat. Little big!

Nana and Grandad gave Connor his own little chair to match Leyla's for his birthday!

Of course Leyla was more than happy to claim the new chair as her own the minute he got up.

And turned on the drama when we would put her back in her chair so that Connor could sit in his. I love Connor's face- "what is wrong with you??"

 Our Christmas Eve living room.

Picture from Santa's camera before going to bed!

Christmas Eve was especially fun with the kids this year. Connor was so into everything- setting out the goodies (a piece of birthday cake and milk for Santa and carrots for the reindeer), sprinkling oatmeal, cheerios and chocolate chips all over our front yard (we thought that's what the reindeer would enjoy munching on while Santa was at work inside our house), etc. We had a fire going when Connor went to bed and he was very concerned that Santa wouldn't come if there was a fire because he wouldn't want to get burned (good point) and he made us promise that we'd clean out the fireplace after the fire was out so that Santa wouldn't get dirty. (The boy is a clean freak like his mama what can I say!)

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!