Just another day in the life...

Really...this is a look at a typical weekend in my life.  Two crockpots filled with homemade sauce and meatballs, the boys over with Heidi for dinner, them putting on a show and being silly.  This is my life.

A little number by the boys

Gingerbread decorating...dog eating chocolate...typical.

I thought about cutting me out of the video but if I wanted to be true to this entry's title I had to leave it it in there.   I steal chocolate and then ask Colton at the end if he has to go poo...it is, well...typical.

You didn't think my life was this glamorous did you.

Christmas Staycation

I took a week long Staycation this year to spend as much time with Colton as I could....check that one off the list because it was a complete success.  We spent the whole week doing nothing but making Lego sets and lounging in our pajamas.  One night we went over to Heidi's so the boys could play video games together.  It was so nice and quiet...Heidi and I got to drink wine, enjoy dinner in our pjs and not worry about entertaining the kids, playing with them or keeping them in line.  There are very few times that Wii can have this effect...Christmas miracle if you ask me.

 Lego set #1.

By the end of the week we made every matching space set out there and more.

He puts them all together on his own...I just sit and watch him while playing Bejeweled Blitz or Words with Friends...lol...moral support.

Disney on Ice

Another school vacation usually means another outing to Disney on Ice.  We were lucky enough to see the show with our buddies Rich and Angela and some of their friends.  Pizza at the Wells beforehand and the kids got to battle Bayblades and play pirates...sorry Donna for mess. :)

 All the kiddos posing in a really old hockey goal.  

We really have to go back and check out the Museum at the Garden...lots of cool things for the sport fanatics!

 Can't go to the Garden with a group of hockey players and not get your picture taken with Tim Thomas.

My best buddy!

Christmas 2011

I wish I had more pictures to share of our amazing day but I was busy cooking, wrapping, unwrapping, playing with the kids, drinking, eating...oh the list goes on.  We had a perfect Christmas day though.  It was Isla's first Christmas and she managed to sleep through the entire thing...that is what a 5 week old does right?!?!  The kids played in the toy room all day long, even Leighton (so funny that she is old enough to play with the boys now!).  Colton was in Lego heaven and got spoiled as usual.  This year Zach and Alex slept over on Christmas Eve which was fun to have them with us in the morning.  Alicia's sister Amy spent Christmas day with us as well...the more the merrier!  I am so lucky to have such a special family and live so close to them that we can celebrate together.   A perfect Christmas if you ask me. 

 Zach being goofy on Xmas eve.

 Time for bed.

 Santa ripped his coat flying down our stairs.  

He also left a glove and his glasses behind. Colton told me it was a good thing Mrs.Clause knew how to sew and that we had to send it back to the North Pole.

 Sweet Isla...ugh she makes you want another...almost.

I sat down to have a drink by the fire after dessert and look who I found on the couch.

Nutcracker

Days before Christmas Colton told me that he really really really wanted to see the Nutcracker.  Heidi and I decided it would be a perfect little mommy/son date on the afternoon of Christmas Eve.  Initially we wanted to take them to the Boston Ballet show at the Opera House (they actually went 2 years ago and loved it) but the show was sold out.  We opted for a local rendition done by the Jose Mateo International Ballet Company in Dorchestor.  It was actually fun going to new place and the dancers were amazing.  We even scored orchestra seats which is always a plus.  Manami came with us since she was home from college.  We had so much fun we think a Christmas Eve show will have to be tradition now.  After the show we went straight to the children's mass at our church which was awesome.  The children's choir acted out the nativity scene and then they played games like Jesus Jeopardy as part of the sermon...it was so fun and Colton thinks church is fun even at night without fruit punch and donuts afterwards.

Tooth Fairy...

Guess who lost their first tooth?!?!  Apparently he pulled it out during lunch because he was having trouble eating (shocking).  Colton was so excited to go to bed last night (another first) and put his tooth under his pillow.  The tooth fairy came and left $5...holy cow...I use to get a quarter.  The first thing he did with his money is put it into his new Darth Vader bank...save away my little man...with the going rate of a tooth I may need a loaner from you.

Bowling for Brayden...

A week before Christmas and all through the house...our family went bowling!

Brayden wanted a bowling birthday party complete with all his cousins.  Lucky little guy had Colton, Leighton, Isla, Sarah, Niamh, Makayla, Emmaline and Abagail there...that is a whole lot of cousins! Sammy joined in the fun as well as an honorary cousin...he is family to us and  the boys for sure.  Bowling was a lot of fun, we even got Papa Roy out there (I think he secretly loved it...in fact I think I saw the Grinch smile a few times).  The uncles got Brayden a Francesco race car that was a huge hit with the kids.  Uncle LP showed up with his mystery meat and snacks from China and Riley might have stuffed a spicy rabbit tongue in Colton's mouth...a few tears and a swig of orange soda and the taste was erased.  Sam got the boys super cool skater hats that I can say haven't come off since.

Fun times...Happy 4th Birthday to my little Stinker McBrayden!

Sit back and relax...

We surprised my Nana this year with one of those power lift recliners.  Picture Heidi and I with the three boys at Jordan's Furniture test driving these...oh the scene...if we didn't break them, this chair will survive anything.  With all three kids in tow, and some Dunkies in hand, we showed up on Saturday morning with her surprise.  As you can tell from the pictures she was beyond excited.  Before we left we had her practice with the remote several times so we were assured she wasn't going to rocket propel out of her chair.   So far no injury reports that I know of. 

Brayden in typical fashion refused to get in the picture...

 he is sneaking in there...

caught you Beeze!

Gingerbread House

Another annual school gingerbread house making event.  I am guessing this is an annual thing till they get to like 3rd or 4th grade?  Maybe I am wrong though, so I made sure I didn't miss it.  This year Colton continued to eat more than he put on the house.  He added a candy cane fence and marshmallow trees.  I felt bad throwing it out so I told him the dog tried to eat it.  I am such a liar...but his face was so sad when he noticed the decapitated gingerbread house was missing...I panicked.  Next year I will hold on to that sucker till it turns green.

Christmas Photo...

Here is a look at our official Christmas card pictures (thank god for the iphone or I would never have a picture of anyone).  It was the first year I ever included a picture of Nick and I...definitely risky...but I thought if we were going to include a link to our blog than we should buck up and put our mugs on it.  I am a little sad that Buddy didn't make the cut, next year for sure! 

Merry Christmas everyone!

Love, Kelley, Nick and Colton

& Buddy

XOXO

Not just another Saturday night...

We joined the Wells for an impromptu dinner out in Boston and then the Northeastern vs. UMass Lowell hockey game this past Saturday.  The kids have so much fun together and this night was no different.  They cheered for the Northeastern Huskies, got special huskie pucks, danced on their chairs and even made it on to the jumbotron a few times.  Colton might have lifted his shirt and rubbed his belly during one of his jumbotron appearances and it was quite horrifying (and funny), the camera man definitely wasn't expecting it though that's for sure.  BTW - he no idea where he got that from...shoot me now.

silly faces always

George and Oatmeal...

We took the boys to a show at the Weymouth High Planetarium called "George and Oatmeal Save Christmas".  It was a constellation show designed for younger grade school students and their families to learn about the stars.  Basically, the story is that Santa is lost and Oatmeal (the snowman) and George (a wizard) help find him by going all over the world and following constellations.  When they finally find Santa they each him to follow the north star home to the Mrs.  Very cute and educational! At the end the kids got to ask questions and I found it very interesting that both Colton and Riley raised their hands immediately...I never would have at their age.  Colton asked "why does Saturn have rings"...good question!  He also told them that he wanted to be an astronaut....hehe.

A little girl time...

We got to spend the day with our two little teacups, Leighton and Isla, the other day while Wally and Alicia were busy painting at the new house.  Colton has so much fun playing sesame street with Leighton and playdough.  He even asked if he could hold Isla because she was so "cute", which normally he isn't all that into babies but clearly Isla has him wrapped around his little finger with that face of hers.

 Having breakfast together, Colton leans over and asks "so how's if going being a big sister?"...hysterical.

 Leighton the builder!

 Isla

 Mini Hopper if you ask me.

I think they like being cousins!!!


So funny...pretty sure Leighton just admitted that she broke Daddy's computer.  LOL

Polar Express 2011

rain rides, christmas jingles, sledding, shopping...our annual trek to Portland/Freeport Maine was just as fun as we remember.  This year the Wells came along which was super fun for the kids.  We took advantage of swimming in the pool, hot tub, the bar and just spending time with friends and family.  Tis the season and nothing more could get you in the holiday spirit!  :)

 Skipping a late night swim for a gingerbread martini for the adults and a shirley temple for the "big kid".

 Sharks...Colton and Rich!