Eich Visit

The weekend before Sandy hit the Eichs came out for a visit. We had a really nice time with them, but unfortunately they had to cut their visit short to get out before the storm. Luckily we'll be seeing them again soon at Thanksgiving!

Making Halloween cupcakes, always a big hit with the kids!

Leyla and Grandad.

Very happy customer.

 Cheese faces!

 Date night, thank you to the Eichs for watching the kiddoes!

 Nana and Leyla at breakfast, so sweet.

We think it's so great that our kids have such close relationships with all four of their grandparents- even when distance plays a role. Lucky kids! Can't wait to see you again very soon!

First Snow!

In continuing with our recent crazy weather, we got out first big snow last night. So pretty to wake up to a winter wonderland this morning!

Spiderman, Snow White and Sandy

As anticipated, Sandy was a doozie. We did lose power as expected, but other than that and a damaged fence gate, we emerged relatively unscathed. Feeling extremely lucky!

Lots of pictures to share from our adventures over the last week...

After flickering on and off for the longest time (so we knew it was only a matter of time) our power went out for good around 6:30 on Monday night. This is what Leyla had to say about that.

So we got a nice big fire going.

 Luckily we had just had this delivered the week before (picture taken week before last).

Our house is pretty much surrounded by trees, so to sleep that night we opted to pile everyone into Andrew's office on the first floor.  There's few trees surrounding his office. The kids thought this was way fun. Here Andrew is telling them a bedtime story, I believe it was about how Superman came to be.

Come Tuesday morning, I had the big idea that since we were going to be stranded at home for several days, why not start potty training with Leyla (I think she's definitely ready). However I quickly realized that when things were peed on (and things were peed on) they were not able to be washed immediately (since we had no power) so that mission was quickly aborted. She sure did look cute in action though!

All roads around us were blocked so we certainly weren't going anywhere for awhile. Our neighbors stopped by in the morning (luckily since we installed a gas stove as part of our kitchen renovation our stove still worked so we could give them hot water). They told us to bring the kids over in their costumes for some trickortreating (which they loved and it gave us something fun to do). Snapped these cute pics as we headed out the door!

Side note, at one point I had the prettiest fall decorations on my doorstep. There used to be several pumpkins, jackolanterns, etc. on the hay, along with some pretty planters and mums. But the squirrels ate my pumpkins, the deer ate my mums and Sandy blew the rest to pieces. Better luck next year :)

 So cute. They both love their costumes so much!

 A hug fit for a princess.

 This is what it looked like in just about every direction.

For at least four days the below picture was the only route to get into town. Andrew (and hundreds of other cars) were driving under this to get to and from work every day. Freaky.

Headed to the neighbor's house.

 Our neighbor's driveway. Clearly they weren't going anywhere for awhile.

 Our only storm damage (the tree took down the gate).Very lucky. We couldn't believe the size of some of the trees that were uprooted around our neighborhood.

Late afternoon light saber battle (they aren't actually making contact with each other, fyi).

Andrew already got the fallen tree down.

Pre-bedtime reading. I love that she chose to read her "Emergency Vehicles" book. Very fitting.

By Wednesday we were starting to get really cold so we decided to pack it in and head down to my Mom's in MD. Thankfully, they did not lose power down there! The kids were so great during the drive down there, and other than passing about 100 boom trucks headed north and seeing some seriously scary lines for gas along the Jersey turnpike (thank goodness Andrew filled up both our cars before the storm!) the drive was pretty uneventful.

All in all, given the circumstances, we had a really fun time down in MD. We arrived in time for trickortreating on Wednesday. On Thursday we laid low- hitting the grocery store and the gym (there's a local one with a daily drop in rate and great childcare!) The gym also had a kids climbing gym/bounce house which we visited several times during our MD stay, the kids loved it. Friday night the kids and I met up with my Dad for dinner on the eastern shore. Andrew arrived by train later that night. On Saturday we all went to Jessica and Chad's annual Oyster roast where I got to visit with all my high school buds and their families (we had actually planned to come down to MD for the party this weekend anyway). Saturday night Andrew and I met up with Shannon and Rob (Hoboken refugees staying with her parents in the Annapolis area). On Sunday my Mom watched the kids so that Andrew and I could have a "day date" (our favorite kind!) in downtown Annapolis before dropping Andrew off at the train. Sunday night the kids and I had dinner at Jackie's house. On Monday Ashley, her Mom, and Claire (more Jersey refugees!) stopped by for a visit on their way home from a field trip to DC. So we really got to see a ton of VIP's in a very short time!

The kids were so excited that we arrived in Annapolis in time for trickortreating!

 My Grandmother has been living with my Mom and Gerry for a long time now. They finally were able to get her into the assisted living facility that they had been waiting for on Wednesday morning. While they love my Grandmother very much, they were practically giddy at the thought of having the house all to themselves again. Cue the arrival of the kids and I that same afternoon! They were happy to have us though (or so they claimed). On Saturday we brought Grandma back home so we could spend the day together. We played scrabble and she loved watching the kiddoes play. I love this picture of us!

 Watching the kids dance (she loved this).

Leyla making friends at Jessica's party.

 

Took the kids to the play zone at the mall one morning. They both really love to play air hockey!

My Mom asked if I could bring the kids in their costumes by her office for her co-workers to see. Here's Snow White sitting at Mom's desk (with her glasses on too!) It was too cute- a mini Grandma.

My Mom turned their laundry room into a little nursery for Leyla (previously for Connor). She really loves it in there. She and Andrew before bedtime. I think they like each other.

Ashley, her Mom, and Claire during their visit. Connor took this picture, not bad!

Andrew called to let me know that the power came back on around 6:30pm on Monday- basically a week (to the minute!) since it went off. Let there be light! So the kids and I packed ourselves up and were on our way back home Tuesday morning, arriving back in town in time to vote. So happy to be home in our nice (finally) warm house, just in time for the next big storm- I believe that's arriving tonight? I'm definitely seeing a generator in our near future...

A SUPER HUGE thank you to my Mom (and Gerry too!) for housing our clan over the last several days. Not only were they great hosts, but my Mom was so unbelievably helpful with the kids. They just adore their Grandma and I am so thankful!!

10/29 Hurricane Sandy

Sandy's on her way, and she looks to be a real B. I think we're ready- we've got plenty of food, water, supplies, etc. All of the laundry has been done and I'm washing the dishes as we use them. Meals have been prepped. The kids have free reign to watch tv all morning- since it could be a really long time before they will get to again ;) Early estimates are to expect power outages for 7-14 days- way to set our expectations! If that does end up being the case, we'll probably head down to my Mom's after a few days, once the roads are okay (and assuming she hasn't lost power too.) We've been lucky in that we didn't lose power during Hurricane Irene or the numerous winter storms before that when everyone else did. But this one looks to be a real doozie and I think we're probably due. A couple large branches have already fallen in our yard. So now we just wait I guess. Stay safe everyone!

In other news... today is also our 7th wedding anniversary! Happy Anniversary to my most amazing husband! We've had quite the adventurous 7 years together, and have weathered our fair share of craziness- it seems almost fitting that a storm like this would hit ON our anniversary ;) We had to take a hurricane check on our celebration planned for this past weekend, since Andrew's parents who were in town (and to be our sitters) had to jet home early to avoid the storm (understandably so). So we'll plan something for another time soon.

I'm totally snagging this from something I once heard Meryl Streep say (in an acceptance speech) when thanking her husband. She said "I want to thank you because everything I value most in my life you have given me." That's how I feel about Andrew. I couldn't be more proud of, or thankful for the life and family we've built together over the last 7 years. His ability to balance working really hard with being one of the most hands-on Dads (and awesome husbands) I know never ceases to amaze me. He's always been my greatest supporter, and I've always been his biggest fan- we make a darn good team if I do say so myself. And we laugh- a lot. Above all- he's given me the two greatest joys of my life. Leyla thinks that Connor is her superhero- I feel the same about Andrew ;) Love you!

Dad's Visit/Birthday Celebration

 A couple weekends ago my Dad came up to visit, see the new kitchen and (belatedly) celebrate he and Leyla's shared birthdays! Some of these pictures are mine, others are my Dad's.

Connor helped to bake an (extremely yummy) chocolate chip cookie birthday cake. Leyla's allergic to eggs (such a bummer) and in my opinion egg substitutes seem to taste better in cookies than in cupcakes or cake. It was a hit!

 My Dad gave Leyla this as her gift. She loves it, and calls it her tutu-tu.

Birthday people!

Blowing out the candles was a group effort.

So happy!

Important discussion.

So sweet!

As you can see she's a big fan of her Gramps.

Oliver, my Dad's dog, comes with my Dad when he visits. I think the kids look forward to Oliver's visit almost as much as seeing their Grandpa. He's a real big deal around here. As you can see, Oliver had a good time too. I asked Connor to smile and love how Oliver is smiling too!

A little picture drawing on Sunday morning.

Dad drew a picture of Oliver.

Connor gave Gramps a preview of his Halloween costume (and my Dad added these special effects on his computer, fun.)

Later that afternoon we went bowling, one of our favorite family outings. Connor got to show off his awesome technique ;)

This was the first time Leyla actually got her name up on the board and bowled each of her turns (2 games!) This little alligator contraption allows her to just push the ball down (after Andrew helps her to aim it).

She sure knows how to celebrate when the pins go down!

All jammied up and ready for bed!

Connor helping to flip the pancakes the next morning on our new griddle (love the griddle!!)

Pre send-off picture taking. I told everyone to make a scary face.

Sweet Connor and Leyla kisses.

I know I've mentioned it before, but another shout out to my Dad for his amazing weightloss journey over the past year. It just blows me away. He's been maintaining his 70+ lb weight loss, and has a new goal to lose 20 more by this May. He's done it by following the old fashioned eat less, move more diet. He keeps a food journal. The man who previously couldn't comfortably walk around the block now does things like Zumba (love this). He's no longer on any of his blood pressure, etc medications. He sleeps better at night. He's had to get new clothes, and he said it felt great to bag up all his bigger stuff and donate it away! Random people in his office stop him to ask about his weightloss. Sometimes he has cheat days, or falls off the wagon a bit but he always gets back on. And I am so so so proud of him. Keep up the great work Dad!! A before shot, a picture that I love of he and Leyla.

And after- Way to go Dad!

As I said, just couldn't be more proud. He looks so awesome!!