Reach For The Stars School: January 2010

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Our December in Review

Well like all of you December was a crazy month...so there was no blogging for me. Here are some pictures of all the fun things we did leading up to and during the holidays:

In early December we had no snow (that would change...alot) so the kids improvised.

Our great "snowman"

Shannen writing the beginning of her story.

Playdough!

We had a lot of time to play games over our break. We all have our favorites but here the kiddos are enjoying Blokus.

This was an engineering challenge the girls had fun with. I had them grab any 10 toys (I did not tell them what they would be doing) and saw who could build the tallest tower.

They were both bummed that they grabbed all soft toys.

Morgan made the highest tower!

After the tower we made a stuffed animal store. We used Harry Potter money and had fun trying (I stress trying) to make change.

Tristan went to his first birthday party (that was just his own invitation) this month and had a blast. His good buddy Seth had a party at the Children's Museum.

Amazing dad: he knew ALL the bones :)

He will always be my baby.

We headed to Western Mass for the Karate Studio Christmas Party...always fun!

Playing around.

Bring on the tree!!

Our annual shot of Todd struggling to get it through the door.

We love decorating.

Ok...we are ready!

Todd making some cool presents.

Making my dad's famous peanut butter balls.

Yummy...Christmas dinner!

Presents!

It is wicked hard to have a Christmas birthday...
he only had 4 birthday parts :)

More presents.

Mommy's new toy.

Getting in the Christmas spirit.

Our annual visit with Santa.

Playing in the snow...

Really deep snow.

Great snow angel.

Shannen

Collin

Morgan

Tristan

Making gingerbread houses at Collin's school.

Hi Santa

Happy Birthday....take 2

Putting out reindeer food.

For our holiday we did a huge road trip to visit family...I will start a new post to show Christmas morning and the trip but here is a shot Todd wanted to add to leave you with:

The state of the wires in my car at the
BEGINNING of the road trip.

December Part 2

So here are some great shots of Christmas morning with my dad...mom had to work :(

Tristan loving his new scooter.

I hate reading directions!

Free-For-All

My favorite!

When does the snow go away?

After Christmas morning a storm was heading in so we decided to leave to start our adventure a day early. So......we headed out to Todd's mom's house....through to Washington, DC....next to Charleston, SC to visit auntie....and finally to Grandpa Tom's house for New Year's Eve....whew...I am tired again just writing about it. So here are some pics from the trip.

I love this shot!

Hour 1...I can tell by the lack of annoyed look
and hint of smile :)

So excited.....how many hours was this drive?

Leave me be...I am watching a show here.
(There is a special place in heaven for the person who invented the car T.V.
There is a special place in HELL for the person who invented children's T.V. shows)

I like my new car games!

Reading.

Birthday number 3!

Rock Band at Mema's House.

I love my cousin!

Bathroom break....1 of 10,000

Mr. Cool

Ok so we had a small incident at South of the Border....anyone who has not been there you should go.....without kids! So at one point all children were in tears and I was yelling into the car (as a 19 year old boy snickered) "I am NOT moving this car one inch and your dad and I will just stay out here with the tequila until you guys can be civil!!" In the end we did make it to our next stop...but we got some great shots first....

All I want is one shot....
pretend you like each other!

Seriously...

Drama!

Don't believe that innocent face...

Yes that lump under the blanket is Collin.

All troubles were forgotten when we arrive in Charleston to see Auntie, Dylan, and Carly...and they were the best to Todd and me as well....they gave us a nice night out at Katlyn's restaurant (which has the best food ever).......they rock!

Happy kiddos!!

Carly love!

Hanging with dad at Aunties house..

Love the name of this restaurant.

SWING...

Really a beautiful city.

Finally we make it to Florida...Palm Trees!

Wild Man.

Our Christmas walk with the doggies....
it was really hot...
silly people from New England with their long sleeves :)

Hanging with Grandpa Tom.

Hey guys...she is 9...
We do not have the $$ to buy Grandpa a new boat!!

Loving the beach in front of our favorite restaurant.

Yummy...instead of hot wings...
they have hot shrimp...my favorite!

Grandpa Tom and Suzie throw a huge New Year's Eve party....everyone has the best time.

Stars!

Todd and his dad hanging out.

Smart....lets give the 4 year old fire!

Cool effect.

So serious.

Who can beat the beach on New Years?

Can we go home now?

December 31, 2009 (11:59PM)

January 1, 2010 (12:01AM)

OK I know if is Florida and all but it is January....
and that water is FREEZING!!

Ummm...what are you silly humans
doing in the water?

Most years we take the kids to Disney (we have a timeshare) but this year has been really rough on our business so we told the kiddos there was no way with the economy that we could make it there....well we were driving right through, we had time at the timeshare left, and we had *1* day left on our annual passes....so we decided to spend one night there, pack a lunch, and have a great time!