Our First Snow Day This Winter

Today we got about 2 inches of snow. Although it was not our first snowfall this season (we got a dusting on October 3oth), it was the first time the kids could get out and play in it. Koda joined in on all the fun too. It's amazing how much entertainment kids get out of the smallest amount of snow. I am still hoping for one (and only one) huge snowfall this year so the kids can go have more fun on a big hill.

Koda's Scary Friday

Just a little update about our day. This morning while Kelsey was getting ready for school and I was making her lunch, we were both in the kitchen and witness to Koda having a seizure. He has never had any major health problems so we have no idea why this happened. Kelsey was a huge help. She stayed calm and we were right there with him through the entire 5 minute episode. We are waiting for results of lab work from the vet and we'll see if they can come up with any answers for us. He is acting fine and the vet says he looks like the picture of health on the outside. She also said this may or may not ever happen again. We have all talked about the do's and don'ts of what to do if he has another one. Koda is only six and a half. Here's a picture Kelsey took of her best friend last week.

Christmas Weekend 2011

We stayed in New Jersey this year for the holidays. While we missed family terribly, I love waking up at home on Christmas morning! Here are a collection of photos we took over the course of the weekend. The kids loved opening gifts and we enjoyed some quiet time as a family which was desperately needed with all the stress Rob is dealing with at work with the SAP computer conversion. Nick definitely wins the prize for most animated in all the photos. Thank you for all the gifts and holiday greetings. Enjoy the silly kids' pictures and we wish you all the best for 2012!

Nick & Kelsey's latest school work

This year Nick's school is requiring each student to read at home for 30 minutes a day. He has found a new place to read that is quiet and well lit...under the Christmas tree.
Kelsey has been busy making creative projects for her classes. This is her latest creative writing assignment complete with a standing candy cane character.

Ice Skating

Jodi & Mark invited us to join them for ice skating. Kelsey and Nick are not big fans but we thought it would be fun to tag along since it was Emma's first time. Mark is an awesome skater (he grew up in Minnesota and spent lots of winters playing hockey) and that was a bit intimidating for a non skater like me but we had a lot of fun and then went back to their house for pizza. Kelsey got to feed Charlie her bottle.

Meeting Jeff Kinney

We mom's are crazy for our kids. Jeff Kinney, one of Nick's favorite authors, was at a local store today for a book signing. Cabin Fever (the latest in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series) was released today. Two friends and I took our boys to the signing. We were there for about three hours in line and there were at least 300 people in line in front of us. The best part was the parking lot covered in snow for the event on a 65 degree day. The boys got to see all the new snow made on a truck and then it was a huge playground while we waited for our turn. The actual book signing took less than 5 minutes for all three kids but they got to meet the author as well as the 2 actors who play the main characters in the movies.
The slide shows seem to never upload so I'll post just a few pics on the page.

Mom & Dad's Visit November 2011

Mom, Dad and MacTavish came for a New Jersey visit in November. The kids had only two days of school that week due to teacher convention week (which is like a state holiday for the kids). We spent the time not only hanging out, but breaking in the new pool/air hockey table and a few day trips as well. Grammy, Papa and Nick went to the Adventure Aquarium for a special penguin day. We went into Philadelphia for a tour of the US Mint and lunch at a local restauraunt that has incredible cheesesteaks. We took a day trip to Cape May to see the zoo and ocean shore; it was way to cold to swim but the weather was unseasonably warm for November. Papa brought the kids a chess set and Nick has become addicted. It hasn't beat the video games for his attention but several days a week he is asking someone to play a game with him. The dogs got along fabulously as always. Unfortunately, Rob spent most of their visit in Germany on his annual trip but at least it made our time without him go by much quicker. Oh yeah I almost forgot, we celebrated my 40th Birthday with a special dinner at Outback steakhouse.