Update since Halloween - what we have been doing

So....I haven't updated since Halloween. We had a busy November and December here in New Hampshire. We spent Thanksgiving in Essex, MA, with my Aunt, Uncle and cousins. Always good to see them and always grateful that they are nearby. December was filled with Christmas shopping, baking, wrapping, parties, a visit from Grandpa Buck and Grandma DeeBee, and a visit right after Christmas from Mama Ann, Papa Bob and Auntie Allison.

Below are some pictures that show and tell what we have been doing.

The day before Thanksgiving I took the girls ice skating. We met up with some friends and Callie got to skate with her newest friend, Aliza. Callie met Aliza this year in her class.

This picture was taken Thanksgiving day in Essex. We had a wonderful meal that "couldn't be beat" with family! This picture is of me with my cousins Brooke, Alyson and Jessica.

Here is the next generation of cousins. My two with Brooke's three.

Emily, Brady, Callie, Cameron and Emma. I took a lot of shots of these five kids and every one has some kind of crazy thing going on! I think this one Cameron was all done with pictures and telling me "no more!"

In December we had Emily's Holiday concert and Callie's Holiday concert. I didn't get any pictures of Emily's because the band was too far away to get a clear shot. Callie had her very first band concert! She even did a short demonstration of the trumpet by herself during the concert. The picture above is Callie with her friend Rachel.

There is the trumpet section. Callie is the 5Th one in.

Also in December, Callie's school had a recital night. Anyone who played any kind of instrument could perform at the recital. Callie did a duet with her friend Rachel and a solo. I will try and get the videos uploaded. I am having a little trouble with that at the moment.



Here is Miss Saranita (band teacher) with Callie and Rachel.

Here is Callie and Rachel again. Callie and Rachel met a few years ago through their friend Alexia. Todd went to graduate school with Rachel's dad. I met Rachel's mom, Shelley, through my friend, Lynn, Alexia's mom. As some of you remember Callie and Alexia became good friends in first grade. Alexia and her family moved to California a couple years ago. It seems like they have been gone forever!! We had to say a sad goodbye to Rachel and her family last week as they have now moved to Georgia. We miss them dearly and wish them the best in their new home!

On to Christmas........

Here is Todd and the girls reading How the Grinch Stole Christmas as he does every Christmas Eve. He also reads Twas The Night Before Christmas.

Here are the girls on Christmas morning waiting patiently to come downstairs!!


Our tree Christmas morning.


The Monday after Christmas Mama Ann, Papa Bob and Auntie Allison arrived from Ohio. It was so great to have them here!! We spent one day up in Portsmouth, NH, and another day down in Boston. We had so much fun with them. We even did some dancing with the Just Dance 2 for the Wii. What a riot!!! So much fun and a workout too!! Mama Ann even danced!!


After sleeping in a bit on Wed. and eating a huge breakfast at home, we headed down to Boston. We walked over to Faneuil Hall and Quincy Market. We all got a yummy snack at Quincy Market. These next two pictures are of us sitting inside Quincy Market....or should I say Quincy Mawket!

Todd, Emily, Me, Allison, Mama Ann, Callie and Papa Bob.


After Quincy Market we walked over to Faneuil Hall. We walked, sat and read while we were there. A lot of history there. The above picture if Papa Bob taking in all the information they had there.


Chillin' out in Faneuil Hall.....Emily, Todd, Callie, Allison and Mama Ann.

Then we walked down to the North End and stopped in at Mike's Pastries. Here is Todd, Allison and Emily standing inside Mike's. Not sure what Todd is doing. I think he is doing one of his many impersonations that always make us laugh.



Mama Ann and Papa Bob with their pastries. Whenever in Boston, one must stop and get something at Mike's!!

As we walked up out of the North End I shot this picture of Boston. Then we headed over to the Union Oyster House and had dinner.



Papa Bob and Mama Ann enjoying their lobster.....or should I say Lobstah!!

It was sad to see them leave on Thursday morning but was glad they came!! Always nice to have people visit us here!!

We spent New Year's Eve at my friend Hope's house. Below is a picture of all the girls there. They built a huge ice rink in their back yard so all the girls had fun skating.

Nadia, Emma, Callie, Eden and Emily. Eden and Emma are Hope's daughters and my girls love hanging out with them!!!

So that brings us to a new year. Happy New Year!!!! May 2011 bring you joy!!