This is the life...

Happy Birthday Heidi!

2012-02-08T20:30:00.000-05:00

Heidi is getting OLD...unfortunately that means I am too. To make her feel special on her big day I made a special homemade eggplant veggie burger (my first attempt and it was delish) along with a homemade strawberry shortcake ice cream cake. Yum! Happy Birthday ya old lady....holy blazer...look at all those candles!

Superbowl...

2012-02-05T20:00:00.000-05:00

You can't win them all...it was a complete upset for the Pats from the first play. We did have a great Superbowl party though with the kids though! Complete with wings, peanut butter cookie dough dip, pizza...the list is so long and bad for you that I could gain 5 pounds just thinking about it. We even did our own family football square betting, with $.25 squares that the kids were obsessed with winning. Nana won in the end though and the Pats lost...not sure what devastated the kids more. Colton had been "trash talking" Nicks family for two weeks since they are Giants fans, he even made a friendly wager with his Uncle Stash...2 matchbox cars for their bar in Jersey City...Colton wanted to win that bar sooooo bad. I honestly don't think he understood that we weren't moving to New Jersey so he could own and Irish bar that served Shirley Temples play video games all day. :)

My sister thinks she is funny...

2012-02-01T07:44:00.000-05:00

I thought my sister was sweet when she asked me to pose for a picture the other day on our hike.

Hysterical and way too funny to not share.

On a side note...why in the world do people deface property, let alone nature like that? So sad.

Multi-caching...

2012-01-29T15:00:00.000-05:00

On Sunday we the kids on a hike/geocaching since it was another abnormally warm winter day. I even got Heidi to come on our adventure and she found our first cache of the day! There is a park not far from Heidi's house that is close to the ocean and surrounded by marshes that has a multi-cache hunt that we decided to try. Basically you have the gps coordinates for the first find and then when you find that cache it gives you coordinates for the next, then so on and so on. This particular set has 6 hidden caches. We managed to find 3 of the 6 before it got dark and we needed to head back. My gps was also dying since it hasn't been charged or used in so long. Usually we just use the iphone app but with longitude and latitude coordinates I need to bust out the garmin. The boys are getting really good at using the gps and the compass. They were so mad that it was getting dark but I promised we could finish this hunt another day. :)

Taking a snack break...luckily one of the paths led us to a baseball field!

Holy Cow - this would be Brayden actually posing for a picture!!!

This was the last cache we found.

We were searching all over and then I spotted this little birdie.

It is hallow with gps coordinates hidden inside of it!

Riley the rising hockey star...

2012-01-28T20:00:00.006-05:00

Riley's hockey team got to play on the ice between periods at the Quincy and North Quincy rivalry game. Of course being his biggest fans we were there to cheer him on. Colton thought it was so cool because they played the "snoopy song" too just like they did for his game at Providence. The game was really exciting and I couldn't help but foreshadow my future when I was taking in the parents sitting in the parent zone and all the kids sitting in the kids zone trying to pretend they don't know their parents...lol.

Izzy the Piggy...

2012-01-28T14:00:00.000-05:00

My friend Christine just bought a pet pig, Izzy. She also just moved to South Plymouth with the state forest literally in her backyard. Colton and I went down on Saturday to meet Izzy and go for a hike, yes, Izzy came with us. Although, Izzy took her time on the trails and Christine had to carry her part of the way while she literally squealed in horror (she hates being carried), she was a trooper. We went by so many other people on the trails who would stop to meet Izzy saying they had heard about a pig in the area that likes to hike...lol. It was an abnormally warm day in New England and PERFECT hiking weather so we just kept going on the trails and decided to find a geocache along the way. Colton was excited because there is a geo series in these woods named after "Jedi's" and being a Star Wars fan he thought it was the coolest name for a geocache ever. So we found this one down by a tree right next to a pond. We were searching for awhile when all of a sudden Colton said "Mom, look at this cool rock"...bingo...he found the cache! The log was hidden in the rock and we were able to check off the "Jedi Knight" from the list. Our goal is to find 50 geocaches this year...that means we have a lot of hikes with hopefully a cute pig in our future. Colton didn't want to leave but after 2+ hours of hiking he said, well let's just go back to Christine's and hangout. We ended up walking straight to the car and he fell asleep as soon as we pulled out of the driveway. So fun and we are already planning our next visit (did I mention before we hiked we did lunch and bloodymary's?...that is how you start a hiking adventure people...also how you spend a perfect Saturday!)

Skating in Providence...

2012-01-22T17:00:00.007-05:00

Colton's hockey coach arranged for the kids to play a mini game at the Dunkin Donuts Arena in Providence right before the Providence Bruins game this weekend. It was a 10 minute game but they got to get dressed in the Bruins locker room, sit on their benches and even got a free hat! Such a cool experience for a 5 year old. Of course his biggest fans were there to watch (Mom, Dad, Nana, Auntie Heidi, Riley and Brayden). The kids seriously had such a great time and then all of the families (we played another Weymouth team so there were a ton if us) had tickets to the game so we all got to sit with each other. Colton and Riley busted out their dance moves and got on the jumbo-tron twice...so that was just the icing on the cake for these two hockey playing dance machines. The coach said that the Providence Bruins taped the game and he is going to get us all copies...I will definitely update this post when I get it!

Waiting with his fans!

Coach Brady telling him to kick butt!

#5 - first one on the ice!

Look at me mom!

Team Picture - The Jaguars

Time to watch the Providence Bruins tear it up!

Fire and Ice for dinner after the game, complete with the ice cream bar and everything!

Here is a little video of the boys showing off their dance moves...not quite sure the other parents and kids knew what was happening. This particular video cracks me up because the two young kids sitting in front of us were videoing them dancing because it was so funny.

Birthday fun with our buddy Rich...

2012-01-21T21:00:00.005-05:00

Look who just turned 5...Colton's best buddy Rich! Another hockey party adventure, this time we joined the Wells and some of their family and friends to a small birthday celebration at the Northeastern Huskies game. It was so cute to watch the boys sit shoulder to shoulder just cheering on their Huskies. They yelled, they cheered, they clapped and of course made silly faces...a great birthday celebration if you ask me. Happy Birthday Rich!!!

Street Hockey

2012-01-16T11:00:00.000-05:00

Colder than a witches...oh just cold this weekend alright. The weather didn't stop the boys from playing a little street hockey before the snow hit (it is coming people...don't say you haven't been warned). This weekend the only injury was a stick to the face. Riley took a slap-shot on Nick and Colton got the stick in the face. After all the blood was washed away, it was nothing more than a fat lip and a stick mark on chin. Riley consoled Colton by letting him know they won the game and the puck went in the net, which apparently made the war wounds worth it.

Another reason to bake...

2012-01-14T20:00:00.000-05:00

Riley and Brayden wanted to celebrate Nick's birthday too so I made dinner and some vanilla whoopie pies with nutella frosting. No leftovers...seriously did you think there would be?!?!

Hockey Player meets Figure Skater...

2012-01-14T10:00:00.000-05:00

Woo hoo...a Saturday afternoon open with no plans, Colton and I decided to hit the open skate at our town rink. I can skate, I grew up skating on cranberry bogs, it is like riding a bike...you just don't forget. I have white figure skates...I am a girl...I like the color pink, the smell of fresh flowers and I skate apparently slow. Colton literally did about 2-3 laps to my 1. I seriously tried to go fast and thought I was, but I couldn't keep up! Colton found me on one of his laps and decided he would skate backward to keep pace with me, well when he turned around he knocked into a guy and they both fell. This poor guy was about my age, well over 6' and was horrified...I also think he busted his hip even though he said he was fine. We didn't see the guy skating after that but later he was back on the ice so hopefully Colton didn't scar him for life. It was a lot of fun though and I hope to get on the ice again soon...my legs are sore so it was also a good workout (even if I am slow).

Riley oh Riley...

2012-01-12T13:00:00.000-05:00

My nephew Riley wants to be the next Justin Bieber I think...well I know he wants to be a singer in a band. This is a video of my sister catching him singing in the shower. No joke I piss my pants EVERY time I watch it. You have to watch it all the way to the end to appreciate it.

The other video is of him snowboarding. This is him coming down a run only after day two of being on a board. Sammy is giving him lessons on the weekend over at Blue Hills and it looks like we have a really good teacher and student on our hands. Now how about some voice lessons?!?!

Nickaroo turns...

2012-01-10T20:00:00.000-05:00

The big old 3-7 for Nick this year. Colton thinks it is hysterical that his dad is soooo old and that much older than mommy. Oh yeah. Caramel lava cakes, a home cooked meal and hockey that night...birthday delight.

OUCH...

2012-01-09T12:00:00.001-05:00

I must say "STOP RUNNING" at least a thousand times a day. Well it is all for a reason right, one day they eventually will trip, fall, or this time....stub a toe. Colton and Nick were going to play a little street hockey in the playroom (still not sure why they don't get that that is an outside sport) and Buddy ran after the tennis ball making Colton run faster...right into the threshold of the playroom and stubbed his toe. He actually sliced his toenail right in half and pretty much off...oh yes. I wish I had a video of Nick screaming in horror and Colton crying while he blames Buddy...it was Oscar winning. We cleaned it up, called the doctor and they said to come in the next morning to have the nail removed. Oddly enough the toe didn't really bother Colton because the nail wasn't really on and since it has split the bleeding didn't cause his toe to swell. The most painful part was when they had to numb his toe to remove the nail but I promised him a smoothie when it was all over. He was a trooper. We went to 7-11 and he got a coca-cola mixed with sprite icee and I got a double gulp - diet coke (inappropriate size people...Colton said watching me drink this thing all day was the funniest). His toe looks nasty and I don't know how a toenail will grow back but they say it will. He feels fine and is back to business as usual.

Warning: some graphic toe shots below for those of you into that thing.

Slushies for all...

2012-01-08T12:00:00.003-05:00

The coach bought all the kids slushies after the game this week because a few kids got hat-tricks. Colton didn't score, came close, but he didn't care because he still got a slushy.

Just another day in the life...

2011-12-30T20:00:00.015-05:00

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

2011-12-29T11:00:00.000-05:00

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

2011-12-28T20:00:00.000-05:00

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

2011-12-25T11:00:00.001-05:00

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

2011-12-24T15:00:00.001-05:00

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...

2011-12-20T09:00:00.014-05:00

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...

2011-12-18T17:00:00.000-05:00

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...

2011-12-17T08:00:00.012-05:00

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

2011-12-16T14:30:00.004-05:00

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...

2011-12-16T08:00:00.000-05:00

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...

2011-12-10T21:00:00.001-05:00

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...

2011-12-10T15:00:00.000-05:00

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...

2011-12-10T09:00:00.002-05:00

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

2011-12-04T09:00:00.001-05:00

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!

Nana Banana fo-fana...

2011-12-01T20:00:00.000-05:00

My Nana turned 86 this year. Heidi and I took the boys over for a mini bday celebration the other day. Cape Cod Pizza and chocolate cake...perfection if you ask me. It was so funny when Nana was having trouble blowing out her candles Colton said, "oh, I will help her, she is too old to blow these out now". Sadly, I think he was right so the boys helped her out and I hope all her wishes come true.

Happy Birthday Nana Banana!!!

Charlie Brown Christmas...

2011-11-30T20:00:00.003-05:00

I am obsessed. I decorate the minute Thanksgiving is over and we get our tree the second I see them ready at Pennimans. Colton brought his new Elf karaoke microphone and sang along with the Christmas carols the entire time and even made up a few Christmas raps of his own (solid rapper talents - don't be hating). So, I wanted a small, thin, sort of bare (wanted to see the trunk of the tree when the lights were on) kind of tree. OK - smallest little Charlie Brown tree ever...I didn't even have to get on my tippy toes to put our star on...lol. I actually love it and it looks beautiful. I will have to get a picture of Colton with it all decorated and post for you all to admire. Eat your heart out snoopy.

Beeze and C-Man...

2011-11-28T16:00:00.000-05:00

Colton sure does love his cousin Brayden. Beeze came with me the other day to pick Colton up at school, not sure who was more excited. Colton even shared his lego magazine with him when they got home...that is love. It cracks me up when Colton calls Brayden and Riley his brothers. He truly thinks of them this way and we are fortunate that they are so close and will grow up as bros. :)

Thanksgiving 2011

2011-11-24T14:00:00.032-05:00

Our annual trek to Pennsylvania with the Manoreks for Thanksgiving. Always an experience that out does the previous year. It was lots of fun, the boys went to a Wilkes-Barre Penguins hockey game on Friday and Colton got a silly goalie mask that he work for the entire game and ride home the next day. Aidan and Amanda were perfect partners in crime for Colton as you can tell from all of the pictures. The kids learned how to play beer pong with water...starting them young...we had a stuffed turkey that Julie tormented Bobby with, and Santa even came for a visit (no it is not Uncle Stash). It was a perfect celebration with family and one I know Colton will remember for sure.

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Driving home from Grandma and Grandpa's with all the presents didn't leave much room to breathe...lol!

Thanksgiving Parade

2011-11-19T14:00:00.001-05:00

You can't grow up in Plymouth and not go back for the annual Thanksgiving parade. The kids really look forward to it and with the food festival and all the other events happening down on the waterfront, it is a must do around this time of year. Watching the parade from the windows of Wally's office makes the experience that much better! Before the parade started the boys even played a little knee hockey. It was a lot of fun and we even got to finally officially celebrate Leighton turning two since Isla was born the weekend of her family party. Lots of pictures, because there were too many fun ones to share!

Ha - this would be Colton making a corn husk doll with one of the Turner twins (the guy with the mowhawk). The Turner twins grew up in Plymouth and one of them was on the cover of Colton's Scholastic School book he brought home about Thanksgiving (they are official members of the Wompanoag tribe - yes he was in a loin cloth dressed in full indian garb...ewww). I told Colton how I knew him and I might have lied and told him that he was Auntie Heidi's first kiss...lol. Anyways, Colton was sooo scared when he saw him because he knew I wasn't lying about him being a real Indian...it was hysterical. Eventually, the Turner twin told him they aren't scarey and that the craft would be fun so Colton warmed up and thought it was awesome to learn from an actual indian (ok Native American) that he has learned about in school. Also, Heidi never kissed him...ewwwww again. In the end Colton thought it was really cool and couldn't wait to share the story with his class.

Riley turns 8...

2011-11-15T13:00:00.000-05:00

I can't believe Riley is 8...so old and so young. He had a skating party this year which was a ton of fun. I even got on the ice! Since Riley shares a birthday with my mom, the birthday festivities are never over in one day. We had cake and ice cream a few times and I am not complaining (neither is the birthday boy). Happy Birthday to my favorite little red headed 8 year old!

The birthday boy wearing Colton's Weymouth jersey. :)

Sam, Brett, Richard, Colton, Riley and a friend from school in the penalty box.

Playing some knee hockey with Brett and Sam

Colton got Riley a magic kit.

Nana and her boys

Welcome to the world little Isla

2011-11-04T11:00:00.000-04:00

Meet my newest niece, Isla Josephine Kelley, born 11.4.11, weighing in at 6lbs 5oz. Wally, Alicia and big sister Leighton (and all of us) are beside themselves with joy with the newest edition. Isla is nothing but long legs and all over cuteness. We aren't sure just yet who she looks like but there seems to be a tinge of Heidi, maybe. She is seriously perfect...don't ya think?

Had to add this cute short video of my interview with Leighton.

Like her age, it was 2 seconds long...lol...love this age!

Take me to the Moon...

2011-10-31T21:00:00.000-04:00

Colton was an astronaut this year for Halloween. Since he could talk he has said he wants to be an astronaut when he grows up so this was probably his favorite costume to date. He wasn't any old astronaut either, he was the "orange one who walks on the planets"...well that is special isn't it? This year he got to wear his costume to school all day and go around in a parade to all the upper classrooms. His after-school care had a big party also and Colton and I had made special Halloween smore's brownies (yum) for the occasion. Colton opted to trick or treat in our neighborhood this year instead of going with his cousins since Riley was a vampire and "that is too scary for me". This was the first year we even ventured off our little dead end street. Our new neighbors next door have a little 18 month old boy named Henry so we invited them along to hit the five houses on our street. Henry was Charlie Brown so Colton thought that was cool because Snoopy is Nick's boss (Met Life). Colton was very happy to loan Henry a pumpkin pail and show him how to trick or treat (and eat it as you go). I had been living in this delusional world that there were no kids in our neighborhood since we never get trick or treaters but this year when we turned the corner one street over we entered kid-ville. It was really funny when kids would recognize Colton on the street or when we knocked on the door and they would say "Mom this is Colton from camp...or school or hockey". He clearly knows more people in this town than Nick and I combined! When we got home I showed him how to organize his loot and let him (and me) pick three pieces of candy to eat that night. I was shocked when he picked three fruit flavored little tootsie rolls...really?!?! I use to monopolize the snickers in my house and Nick said he went chocolate all the way so maybe Colton had some recessed gene coming out. Tootsie rolls?!?!

Happy Halloween!

Grandma and Grandpa...

2011-10-30T08:00:00.000-04:00

Grandma, Grandpa and Max came out for a visit this weekend. Colton couldn't wait for them to arrive because they always have boxes of surprises and this trip was no different. Colton had a full weekend of playing, eating, sports, shopping and getting spoiled...a 5 year olds perfect itinerary. ;)

Sarah Meets Tom...

2011-10-27T20:00:00.001-04:00

I gave Sarah a little Tom the Turkey stuffed animal to celebrate her first Thanksgiving. Apparently, Sarah doesn't take a bottle or a binky...interestingly enough she had no problem taking Tom the Turkey.

Just Dance...

2011-10-26T20:00:00.000-04:00

Here is a look at Riley and Colton doing the Just Dance game for Wii. Riley wants to be a pop star when he grows up...can you tell? These moves will do him good some day at those school dances...lord knows we can't teach him to groove like that so thanks Wii!

Peter Pan

2011-10-23T20:00:00.017-04:00

Peter Pan is playing in City Hall right now so we had a nice mommy/son outing with our friends Donna/Rich, Sam/Jen, Heidi/Riley and Brayden. This was the first 360 theatre I have experienced and Colton kept telling me that it felt like he was in a movie, which I suppose is sort of how you can sum it up. The show was very traditional and theatrical in the sense that it was based of the original story so Tinkerbell was crass and sort of said "you stinky ass" alot and Captain Hook was very mean and did cut some throats and kill people. Yes, the kids thought this meant that "stinky ass" could now be part of their vocabulary since Tinkerbell uses it...we had to quickly fix that one. The flying scenes were awesome and they did a great job making you feel the moment. Colton would get so caught in the moment at times he would start clapping and cheering anyone fighting the pirates on...umm the theatre was silent at these times. The boys LOVED the Lost Boys and decided that they would howl and act like them all through Government Center on our way to dinner at...you guess it...Boston Beer Works. The moms were more than happy to take on a pumpkin ale with the hoodlums in tow. What lucky moms we are though to have such wonderful sons, seeing them enjoy the show, their friends, us and life...really made my day.

This video sums up the night.

Tim Thomas wanna be...

2011-10-23T10:00:00.009-04:00

Colton's hockey team does a two week rotation for goalie and guess who is in the net this week? I was really hoping the gear would be too big and we could delay this whole goalie thing at least another year but it fit and Colton was so excited to play goalie I couldn't say no. The coaches and other kids who already played net insured me he would feel nothing so I starting biting my finger nails and watched it all with one eye opened. He did great, saved a total of 10 goals out of probably 20-30 shots during the official game on Sunday! Most important though, he had so much fun and kept telling everyone he was Tim Thomas. He actually is the perfect kid to have in goal at this age because he truly doesn't care who scores on him, he just thinks being goalie is cool. This was the first week we played another Weymouth team so it was even more exciting playing against our friends and fellow coaches. Colton was trash talking and every time someone came near the net he would scream, telling us he hopes it scares them away...he certainly ~~is a~~ has character that's for sure.

Love letter...

2011-10-17T07:00:00.000-04:00

Here is a look at Colton's first real love letter. Apparently it came from a girl in the after school care program with him, she is in first grade. He was beyond embarrassed of it and I caught him getting it out of this backpack that night and trying to bring it to the playroom to hide all evidence, I intercepted it when I noticed him being all sneaky. He still isn't reading yet but he knew enough that all those "hearts" must mean something mushy. Hysterical...um I mean "Spooper".

Scooter rides...

2011-10-13T17:00:00.010-04:00

I surprised Colton after school this week with Buddy in tow and his scooter. He was so excited to scoot home instead of taking the car. I successfully managed to avoid the skate park on the trek home but he must have begged me a couple thousand times to hit it. The scooter is dangerous enough...you should see the kids at the skate park, heart-attack city for a parent...ugh boys.

Cousins hanging out...

2011-10-10T19:00:00.002-04:00

We finally had a day free to go down and spend time with Leighton. We had a lot of fun playing and dancing. Wally and Alicia just closed on a new house so we even got to check out their new digs which is in total renovation at the moment but let's just say it is super nice and filled with lots of things the kids will love (a pool, a koi pond, basketball, bocci court, shuffle board court...to name a few)! I have a feeling they will be seeing a lot more of us...good thing they have a pool house with a full kitchen and bath...we are moving in...lol. Didn't think it was possible, but Miss Leighton got cuter...I mean check out how she says ghostbusters. XO

A little scooter ride...Leighton had her own wheels not in the picture.

Simon Says...

I guess Simon should have said the game was over...lol

Basketball hoops are my best friend because like ours at home it can provide HOURS of entertainment.

This is the koi pond, they even got to feed the fish!

Umm - that night we hit a Friendlies and the waitress brought him the wrong drink and then the correct one, both inappropriate, but he was drinking out of both straws while calling it "double collision"...I don't know where he comes up with this stuff...double collision? He looked crazier and crazier every time he said it after this sugar rush.

"I ain't afraid of no ghosts"

Monster Mashing

Landed on the rock...

2011-10-10T13:00:00.002-04:00

Spent the beautiful summer-like Columbus day in Plymouth with Heidi and the kids. Started the day off with lunch on the waterfront and a walk on the jetty. So weird to think the first time I walked this with my parents I was Colton's age. Just as fun as the first time.

Mr and Mrs Pavidis...

2011-10-09T22:00:00.000-04:00

Kelly Hunter officially married Nate this past weekend and here are some pictures of Mr and Mrs Pavidis! Great wedding, Kelly looked beautiful and check out Heidi's eyelashes...ooh la la.

Penn State...

2011-10-08T09:00:00.001-04:00

Uncle Alex brought Colton some Penn State garb to wear this season while watching the Nittany Lions! The knit hat is pretty cute...thanks Alex!!!

My little pumpkins...

2011-10-05T22:00:00.000-04:00

Had dinner at Heidi's the other night and the goofballs insisted I take a picture of them with the pumpkins Riley and Brayden painted. What you can get from the picture is that Brayden refuses to be in any pictures or sit with the boys. What you can't get from the picture is that the paint is washable and all over their clothes by the time the "photo-shoot" was done.

Take me to the office...

2011-10-03T10:00:00.000-04:00

Saturday afternoon I came into work to train some high school interns in lab safety...woo hoo. It was a busy day though so Colton and Nick came with me so we could fly down to a birthday party for one of Colton's classmates as soon as my class was over. Colton has been begging me to come into my office lately so it worked out well. He had hot chocolate at the K-cup machine, had a snack, did some art, played on our DNA-atrium, checked out all our cool high-tech gadgets in the lobby and even helped me set up my classroom. He really wanted to help teach but when the kids came I made him sit in the lobby with Nick. He told me later that he wants my job...lol.

Popeye says eat your spinach...

2011-10-01T18:00:00.000-04:00

I guess letting the boys eat dinner on the deck by themselves wasn't the best idea. This is a sneak peek from a window at me catching Riley explain to Colton that if you don't like to eat something you can chuck it over the fence. Seconds after this the greens were flying. Popeye might like spinach but Riley does not. The boys proceeded to come inside after the bowls were empty to ask for more and totally telling me how delicious dinner was. Trying to play me like a fool at such young ages...I am on to you suckas.

Beezee the soccer star...

2011-09-25T10:00:00.001-04:00

Brayden (Beeze) finally is old enough to sign up for some sports! He has been watching the other two play soccer or hockey or baseball...well it seems like forever now (ok for about 3.75 years). Colton and I couldn't wait to cheer our little stinker on. Colton was SO proud of Brayden it was beyond cute, he was yelling, waving and cheering him on the whole time. We brought him a special Gatorade drink, cause that's what sports guys drink, and Colton just kept hugging him and rubbing his face telling him how good of a player he was. Brayden thought he was the coolest kid ever. Heidi and I laughed because we remember dreaming about the day the kids could start entertaining themselves....well Colton and Riley brought soccer balls and played with other older siblings on an adjacent field and then played pass with a baseball and gloves. They didn't ask us once to play pass or join in their games...bitter sweet.

Swing batta batta swing...

2011-09-24T10:00:00.008-04:00

We came home to a beautiful fall-like day (ok - total lie it was a hot summer-like weekend...where is fall?). Spent the day outdoors with the boys playing baseball.

SeaWorld

2011-09-23T20:00:00.003-04:00

The highlight of our trip to Orlando was definitely our stay at SeaWorld. Once I finished up with my course we switched hotels and spent a day and half at the park before flying back home. Both Nick and I had never been which is shocking to us, so something new for everyone! I have to say SeaWorld was right up Colton's alley since he isn't that into rides and loves animals. We saw every show (some twice) and fed every animal there was (including us...boy my pants are getting tight...did I really need to top every meal off with chocolate cake?!?!). Colton couldn't get enough of the sting rays and the sea lions. We decided to end our trip with lunch at the Underwater Grill at SeaWorld before catching our flight. Next time you go to SeaWorld you HAVE to eat here...just about the coolest place to dine in Orlando I think. You basically are sitting right in the middle of the shark aquarium with hundreds of sharks swimming past you while you eat. It was a perfect ending. :)

Universal Studios...

2011-09-20T07:00:00.000-04:00

While I was busy taking a course for work in Orlando this past week Nick and Colton spent their days sitting by the pool and running around Universal Studios. I was lucky enough to hit Universal for a day with them and try the new Harry Potter ride and spend the day acting like a kid with Colton. He made me go on as many dizzy nauseating kiddie rides he could and thought it was hysterical. His favorite part of the park was the ball room in the Curious George section that vacuums up all those foam balls and then you shoot them out of those pneumatic guns...a boys dream come true I guess. One day the boys spent over 4 hours there...yes...4 hours. Aye Caramba.

Kindergarten

2011-09-12T14:00:00.021-04:00

Call me old...my baby started Kindergarten. The night before school started I tried on the outfit I bought for the first day, to my surprise it didn't fit!?!?! OK - so I decided to try on all the jeans and clothes I had been tucking away for school and all the hundreds of hand me downs from Riley...again, nothing fit!!!! Luckily it was warm out this we so we got away with shorts and then went shopping right after school for new school clothes...I guess my baby is a little husky...not shocking. He is growing up too quickly, this weekend he asked me to stop combing his hair making him look handsome or cute...I asked him why and he told me "I don't want the girls to like me" and then I asked what kind of "do" he wanted and he told me "something smart and sport guyish". OK...so that was my in for a back to school hair cut (he requested a mohawk and told the lady when it was done that it wasnt that good of a hawk)...yes he did. He also has been very curious about the grade levels in school and how many until he gets to highschool. I asked him why rush it and he said he wants to be a class clown like me and I told him there are much better things to strive for...god help me.

I definitely got a little teary dropping him off and he comforted me with a big hug and said "mom, it's just kindergarten". He also saw some familar faces from soccer and preschool so he felt totally at ease. When I picked him up that afternoon he told me that school was a lot of fun, he met the librarian, read books, did pictures, made friends, had recess and he got chocolate milk for lunch...hmmm sounds like a successful day for a kindergartener. :)

Kindergarten here he comes!

This is the "mom I love you".

Look who came with us to pick up Colton at school...Buddy!

One last date...

2011-09-06T14:44:00.003-04:00

I took the Tuesday after Labor Day off to take Colton to Kindergarten orientation and on one last summer end date. School was great, his teacher is Mrs.Poisson and she seems really nice. He met a few kids in his class (one which he swears is a spy and has spy cameras all over his house and can see everything). After orientation we picked up Brayden and I took the boys to Friendly's for lunch and then to see Spy Kids 3 in 4D. We were the only ones in the movie theatre which was kind of cool. Great end to the summer!

Labor Day P-A-R-T-Y

2011-09-04T14:00:00.007-04:00

The Wells had a raging party to end summer this past weekend. It was basically a small scale college reunion with all our children and some new friends tearing it up on their roof deck. It was a great night for a party in the North End, the St.Anthony's festival went right by the deck and the kids got a kick out of the marching bands going by. Then a little iPod action turned the deck into a serious Dance Party USA. I have to say the boys (Rich and Colton) will do just fine at those school dances with their moves. I sort of tried to teach Angela a few of my moves but mostly she kept going back to the one leg stomp move...priceless (very Colleen Peckish). The kids finally asked if they could go to bed around 10pm and did just that while the adults regressed back to the old days and drank every beer in the house....holla. So fun and it makes me sad we didn't get our dance on a few times before the summer was over. However, I could go another year or so without hearing a Katy Perry or Hanna Montana song and be just fine. :)

BC Eagles

2011-09-03T14:11:00.002-04:00

Nick and Alex took Colton and Riley to the first BC football game of the season. They had a lot of fun cheering on the Eagles and are totally addicted to college sports...sweet.

Red Sox

2011-08-31T20:00:00.003-04:00

Yankees/Red Sox series, almost tied for first, end of the season, who doesn't want a ticket to Fenway, right? Lucky for us, we were able to join the Wells and enjoy a perfect end of summer game. The kids and adults had so much fun...we are so lucky to have such great friends nearby to enjoy the city and well just plain old life with!

Monkey Trunks...

2011-08-27T08:00:00.025-04:00

I have been promising Colton since his birthday that we would take a trip to to Monkey Trunks up in NH. With summer almost over and a hurricane less than 24 hours away, we decided to take the "jump" this Saturday and head up there. I was glad we did because it was beautiful and sunny up in Chocorua and nothing but rainy and wet in Boston. My friend Jen and her two kids, Sam (also 5 years old like Colton) and Ainsley (7 years old just like Riley) joined Heidi, Riley, Colton and I on our adventure. In case you are wondering what Monkey Trunks is (www.monkeytrunks), it is this highrope, zipline adventure park for kids and adults. The location we went to even has a mini-monkey course for kids under 48" so Colton and Sam were able to have their own little course that wasn't quite as large (aka scary) as the other courses. Jen and I took the little guys on the mini one and Heidi took the big kids on the discovery course where they were super high up and at the end took a long zipline down. Here are some pictures and videos from our day. We had such a great time and before we left we were already talking about when we come back next year. I am kinda hoping I get at least two years before Colton hits that 48" mark because the mini-monkey course is more than adventurous enough for me! We ended the day getting ice cream at this local place right on a dam (I think the place was called Dam Ice Cream actually). It was a cute little pit stop and Ainsley summed it up when she said "this would be a perfect spot for two people to meet and fall in love, wouldn't it". Hysterical. I think Riley was sort of hoping the love story could be him and her...haha. Ainsley is a true little tom-boy, she climbed and zipped like a true chimp...she definitely made Riley think twice about what the typical girl actually is. ;)

Little Monkeys

Riley, Colton, Ainsley, Sam

Getting psyched up!

Heidi and Riley

Team Chittick

Notice Ainsley cool as a clam and this is right before Riley gets nervous, tries to get down and go pee and thinks he is on a zipline but really isn't and slams into a pole and gets hurt. A little blood and bruising but he was fine and got back up there once he saw Ainsley and Heidi could do it.

Easing their way into the mini-monkey course.

So Colton informed me right after this...

"mom, I may have peed my pants, just a little, when I jumped"

Colton finally decided to do the swing jump instead of the zipline down.

He informed me after this one too that he may have peed his pants "just a little".

P.S. you can hear him giggling the whole time...this is how he skates on the ice too. So funny.

Sam goes for the zip.

Riley doing a big old zipline.

Getting cuter by the minute...

2011-08-19T20:00:00.000-04:00

We had to make a date night with Nicole and Sarah to get some baby snuggling in. I love this age, they just want to be held and sleep. She is already getting used to being dressed up and treated like a little doll.

Kids say the darndest things...

2011-08-15T14:00:00.001-04:00

The other night we went out for ice cream and while we were sitting there eating Colton said to me with the straightest, most serious face "Mum, that girl is missing half her underwear". My mom and I were laughing so hard and he didn't get it (innocence). So I told him to get in a picture with dad so I could send it to Grandma (eww - clearly a lie I just wanted to take a shot to tell this story to someone else) and when he asked to see the picture afterwards he said "Mum, you didn't even get dad in the picture". I am going to hell for this entry for sure but it was funny.

OK - I did a reshot and it wasn't a good one but at least they are both in the picture this time. :)

Zido & Doug Tie the Knot...

2011-08-13T23:00:00.002-04:00

Here are a few pictures from the wedding (what I had on my phone)...a college reunion for sure. Zido and Doug tied the knot this past weekend at a most perfect location right here in Boston at the Seaport Hotel. It was the funnest of nights, filled with drinking, dancing, laughing and catching up with old friends. Great friends, wonderful company and a beautiful couple...what else could be better? So fun and congrats to the very happy couple. XOXO

That would be Whisher and I on the back of the golf cart...what a trip. ;)

Colton & Sarah

2011-08-12T14:00:00.002-04:00

Colton was lucky enough to come with me to visit Sarah up in the hospital. He even got to celebrate with an "It's a Girl" bubblegum cigar.

Sarah "Cheeks" Gear

2011-08-11T17:00:00.000-04:00

My cousin Nicole's baby came early! Sarah was born on August 11th around 8:30 am weighing in at 7lbs3oz. She is the most beautiful, chubby-cheeked, adorable baby ever! She has a double chin and missing neck that rivals her cousin Riley's baby chubbiness. Completely in love and excited for my newest nieces arrival. XOXO

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Christmas in July...

2011-08-01T10:00:00.009-04:00

We joke that it was our Christmas in July, Nick's family came for a weekend of BBQ, beach, Red Sox and sleepovers! So much fun and we are already planning next years extravaganza complete with Christmas carols.

Summer Fun...

2011-07-29T10:00:00.008-04:00

Scooter rides in the dog parks and perfecting the monkey bars...what else are summers about?

Fancy Shamncy...

2011-07-22T21:13:00.005-04:00

We have been taking Colton with us to more upscale places to eat now that he is a little older (that and you can only eat so much Chipoles and Paneras....well I am still testing that theory). A heat wave hit the city and I knew at 9AM on Friday that I wanted a nice dinner with wine, a waitress ,cloth napkins and ac (I don't ask for that much). So we hit this really neat mediterranean place I have always wanted to try. Well lucky for us we are early birds (dinner at 5) so when we walked in this not so kid friendly place, it was fine because we were the only ones there. My favorite part though was Colton using the table cloth as a napkin (honest mistake they both laid on his lap) and him ordering the last piece of Tropicana cake and telling me "the waitress was right, this is GOOD". Ha.

Street Hockey Camp

2011-07-22T09:00:00.006-04:00

Colton and Riley had a week devoted to nothing but street hockey. At the end of the week they got t-shirts and trophies which made them the happiest little campers out there. :)

Remember the colored hair gel that I bought Riley?

Well this is what happens when you put too much on and wear it to street hockey camp...priceless.

Summer cuts...

2011-07-12T09:00:00.000-04:00

Check out the handsome boys. It is too hot to go for that Beiber cut...that and my kid still has baby fine hair and Riley has hair like a horse. Nick and I took them to Panera for dinner, Supercuts for trim and then topped the night off with fro-yo at Red Mango. Riley insisted on a mohawk, we compromised with a fohawk and then he wanted to dye his hair black so we settled on some washout black hair gel...luckily my sister was ok with his new look!

Cruising for tail...

2011-07-11T08:00:00.003-04:00

In case you have been wondering what Buddy has been up to while Colton is at camp all week or we are away during the weekends. Uncle Zach likes to go cruising with him for chics in the jeep.

York Maine

2011-07-10T08:00:00.015-04:00

We decided to take a spur of the moment weekend away up to York, Maine for the weekend with the kids. It was mostly a girl trip with Heidi & her boys, me and Colton, my mom, Aunt Judy and Nicole (8 months prego). We took the kids to the York zoo and amusement park which is super small and fun for little ones. The coolest part is you walk out the back entrance and you are right at the little waterfront, downtown, beach area. We got our seafood fix, penny candy and even some sparklers for the beach. The next day we hit the beach with our new body boards and discovered all the crabs and wildlife in the rocks. Colton and Riley learned how to pick up a crab and we must have caught at least 50 before we released them back to the ocean. Naturally we hit some outlets on the way back home and had a fantastic lunch at the Pigs Can Fly restaurant...yes this delicious bread company has a full out swanky restaurant up there and it was mmmm mmm good. Such a nice unplanned getaway, it is amazing how a short weekend away can sometimes be more relaxing than an entire week vacation.

4th of July Festivities

2011-07-04T22:00:00.022-04:00

A nice long weekend with rain in the forecast ended up being a beautiful, sunny, and dry mini-staycation. Friday night I went out in Plymouth with the girls, then Saturday morning we were up bright and early to hit the beach. It was a perfect beach day at Humarock and I am beginning to realize that Plymouth is way too far for me to travel too when there are so many awesome beaches much closer to home. Colton was swimming like a fish until he got rolled over like a dust ball in a wave (just missed getting the 360 degree rollover on video and I didn't notice until that night that he actually cut his head open...he is fine though). That night we had dinner outside at Hingham Beerworks and then went to the waterfront to watch the Hingham fireworks. Typical Colton, he fell asleep for the finale. Sunday we did lots of stuff around the house and then had the O'Connell clan over for a cookout, followed by frozen yogurt down at the shipyard where we laid on the pier and watched the Weymouth fireworks from across the bay (awesome idea people...no traffic...then again no fried dough, no live music or moonwalks - don't tell the kids). Monday we had my Nana, Papa, Aunt Judy, Uncle Paul and the O'Connells over for another BBQ. Great weekend with the fam, what more could a girl ask for?

Colton and Riley's Sandcastle

Beeze just chillin

Dinner at the Works

Carousel ride after dinner

Watching the sunset before the show

Who let's my kid eat a watermelon bomb with a white shirt?

Dad

More fireworks but with friends Niamh and Riley

Happy Campers

2011-07-01T09:00:00.010-04:00

Thank god for camp. We signed the boys up for camp for the entire summer back in May. No brainer here people...Colton and Riley love it, they play outside all day long, are exhausted at the end of the day and it is way cheaper than daycare (win-win if you ask me). Every morning they wake up and ask "is it camp today" and I say "yes" there is a lot of fist pumping and "YES"ing going on. They pretty much are doing the same camp all summer, Wey-Fun, get it for Weymouth, but a week here and there we switched it up with something else. Weymouth has an awesome recreation program with so many options for kids, it is crazy not to take advantage of it. They basically play sports all day: basketball, volleyball, foursquare, go to the beach, do crafts, play games, when it rains they watch movies and bake...I swear the fun never stops (sign me up). I love picking them up and hearing their stories. I know that Jack is their favorite all time staff, Lisa is the prettiest girl (she is in the blue group and is 11yrs old by the way), the bathrooms smell and they will hold it until they get home if possible and that on Thursday's they have BBQ's and Colton likes the hot dogs and Riley likes the cheeseburgers. They have made me two beaded bracelets that I have even gotten compliments on (you have to wear these things to show the love...and I like them). The first week of camp Riley lied and told everyone he had sunblock on...he got a nice sunburn...apparently he "wanted to be tan like Colton". Our little red head wants a tan?!?! Hysterical. Believe it or not, he actually sort of has one now, his eyebrows are yellow and he sort of is getting blond hint to the red, cutest little fireball I know. He didn't like the burn though and wears his block and hat everyday now, just like his buddy Colton (it perplexes him that Colton gets tan with the same sunblock on). At the end of every week they give out awards...this week Colton won Athlete of the Week. They don't have an award for it but he has also been unanimously voted "dirtiest camper", somehow he leaves everyday looking like he just rolled in the dirt and no matter how hard I scrub his knees won't get clean. Next week it is Nature Camp and even Brayden is going...should be interesting and blog worthy.

Happy Fathers Day and Colton's New Trophy...

2011-06-19T07:00:00.019-04:00

Colton finished his first hockey camp. On the last day they gave the kids trophies. He was so excited because it wasn't one of those medals that hung around your neck (although he does love those also), it was a "cool" one that you can put on your bureau for everyone to see. That night we went out for sushi to celebrate Fathers Day. Lucky for us Colton is super into sushi at the moment and we have learned that we need to order him his own rolls or we end up with nothing but the avocado which he picks out of everything. Happy Fathers Day Nick!

Fun with Leighton

2011-06-18T20:00:00.004-04:00

Sunday afternoon my niece Leighton came over for a bit. We played bubbles and ran around outside for awhile. At one point Colton was teaching her the ABC's on the blocks that we have for "babies" when they come to visit. He would have been a great big brother...which really just makes him a fantastic big cousin. ;)

Bruins Parade

2011-06-18T07:00:00.003-04:00

Not news to anyone but the Bruins won the Stanley Cup! Nick didn't plan on taking Colton to the parade (what a mob scene it would be) but when Colton woke up and put his jersey on and told me Daddy was taking him to the parade for a "dude day" all plans for a Saturday afternoon went out the door. They hopped on the commuter rail and watched the parade from the windows of Nick's work which is right on Boylston. When I asked Colton what his favorite thing about the day was he said "the vending machines at Dad's work has the blue bag Sun Chips and I love those". Ha. He loved the parade too and made lots of signs that they hung out the windows and screamed to the players. Hopefully not a once in a lifetime thing but glad he got to see the cup and celebrate the Bruins victory in Boston with his dad. :)

Go Sox...

2011-06-17T19:00:00.006-04:00

My friend Pam called me at 6pm on a Friday night to see if we wanted tickets that they weren't going to use for the 7pm game. Nick was in the garage using the saw and was halfway done putting the new hardwood floor in our bedroom (finished product looks great) and was in no form for hopping in the car for a baseball game in Boston during rush hour. However, Colton heard me on the phone and basically gave us the biggest puppy dog eyes and sweetest "pretty please take me" and Nick couldn't say no. The boys took record breaking showers, got into their Red Sox jersey and hit the road to grab the tickets and battle the traffic. Ironically the principle at Colton's school was singing the national anthem that night...pretty cool (they were late though and missed it). Colton took a sweet nap on the drive in and was ready to live it up once they got to Fenway. The boys had a great night. Colton even talked Nick into taking a ride in one of those rickshaw biker things (wow that guy must have had some strong legs...I would kill for a picture of that...the mental one will do for now though - hysterical). It was a great night weather wise for a game filled with lots of homers and apparently high-fives to peeps in the stands. If you are wondering how I spend my night - it was alone on the couch (been years I think since I as alone at home) and I watched an entire season of Glee that was on my dvr). Good times.

Preschool Graduation

2011-06-16T11:00:00.017-04:00

Preschool is done. We all know what that means...kindergarden here we come. I can't say enough good things about our experience with Johnsons Early Childhood, the preschool that Colton has gone to for the last two years. Mrs. Saferian, his teacher this year, and Mrs. Barry (the teachers aide) were just the BEST. On the last day of school they had a little show for the parents and an ice cream sundae party. It was so nice to see Colton with his new friends and to see how much he likes school. His teachers aide from last year, Mrs. Reardon even stopped by to say her goodbyes. She told me "I have been avoiding coming in this room all day to say goodbye to Colton. I have been teaching here for over 20 years and I have never cried or been this sad seeing a student leave, he is just the happiest kid I have ever met, my all time favorite student". Then she cried. I didn't know what to do so I asked if I could take a picture of them together. Then his teacher and aide said they totally agree and said he was the funniest kid they have ever met and that they want him to remember them when he is famous someday...ha! Is it weird that they cried and I didn't. In fact my little "mayor" of a son sort of worked the crowd saying his goodbyes while I kept trying to get him out the door. Little do they know he wants to be an astronaut...not sure how famous he will be with that one.

My little graduate

The class

Colton and one of his buddies Alex

Colton and Mrs. Reardon

Colton and Mrs. Barry

Colton and Mrs. Saferian

Hiltons are in the house...

2011-06-12T11:00:00.020-04:00

I love this time of year. I am not referring to summer, I am actually talking about the annual trip that the Hiltons make from the UK back to the States. Rebecca and Finn are just the cutest little Brits I know. The kids had a chance to play and then we went to Hingham Beer Works for lunch and Red Mango for a fro-yo treat. Colton and Rebecca walked hand in hand to Red Mango and I sort of think he has already got a thing for a girl with an accent (although she doesn't have one quiet yet). ;) I have been saying I would make it back to the UK for years now, time to start actually following through with this. Might see a trip that way in the near future of 2012...now that I wrote it in the blog, time to start planning.

Kicker Academy...

2011-06-11T08:00:00.001-04:00

Colton finished his first year of Weymouth's Kickers Academy! Nick and I were coaches of his team, which really only involved holding a weekly practice if we wanted to. Every Saturday a soccer clinic was run by the real coaches and kids from highschool so we got to sit back and watch the fun. We had a great group of kickers and made some new friends. The last day they gave the kids medals and a gift card to McDonalds. We thought getting the kids together for an end of season party would be the perfect celebration.

5 year old is in the house

2011-06-10T14:00:00.006-04:00

My baby is 5. Can someone please figure out how to stop time because he is growing too fast and I don't want to miss a thing (yeah Aerosmith...you know you are all singing it now). This is the last year I think I can get away with talking him into a family pizza party at Cape Cod. He told me he told his friends at school that next year they could come to his party, this year he just wanted family...lol...I have brainwashed him for sure. It worked out well though because my cousin Paul was home for a wedding and it was his last night home and it was Corey's birthday the Sunday before Colton's so we just did one big old family dinner. Colton was spoiled as usual and told me this was his favorite birthday ever (we are now 5 for 5 with that statement). Since his actual birthday was on a Friday, my mom and him took the ferry into the city to meet up with his bff Rich and Donna for lunch. Then they played a little knee hockey and waited for me to get out of a work luncheon that conveniently was in the North End. We walked back to the Ferry that afternoon, stopping to get some goodies at Mike's Pastry. The O'Connells and Galens came over for pizza that night and Riley got to sleep over and we stayed up late watching Nanny McPhee 2...crazy times I tell ya.

Tichy's come for a visit

2011-05-21T14:00:00.000-04:00

Katie and Graham came for a visit. We got all the kids together and even fit them in the bathtub, followed by a movie (Toy Story 3). I can't believe this is the same crew that we went to the Cape with about two years ago. Angela and Theo are both two now and they were only weeks old back then! We had a lot of fun and so did the kids. Colton and Kay had a sleepover and totally went right to sleep...so cute. I hate that they live so far away. We will be going to visit them soon because they just bought a house and what better way to break it in than have the wrecking balls come for a visit!

Mothers Day

2011-05-08T14:00:00.000-04:00

Mothers day was very relaxing. Snuggly morning and a nice cookout prepared for Heidi and I by Nick. I am one lucky mom!

YouTube Video

Cute little clip of Colton talking about his Grandma.

Portsmouth Adventures...

2011-05-01T11:00:00.004-04:00

My Plymouth girlfriends and I hadn't been on an overnight trip since pre-marriage/kids right after college when we took a camping/canoe trip down Saco. Oh the legendary Saco trip...too many memories. Let's just say we could piss our pants just thinking about it. Finally we booked a trip for us to go shopping and out for the night up in Portsmouth. We stayed right downtown in a two bedroom condo at the Sheraton. It was perfect to walk all over downtown and then go out for dinner. That night we hit the bar scene, little dancing (a scene in itself) and then we went to a local hot spot called the Red Door (no sign and was like a club in someone's house...very weird...however, the expresso martinis were right on). We ended the night at a college karaoke bar where we were robbed from our rendition of Salt n Peppa "Push It". Kim even put her good sense of direction and smell and found us late night pizza slices. The next morning we blew all of our money at the outlets and headed back home to reality (kids and hubbies)...next trip should be a wee longer. I love these girls.

Kim battles the strongest margarita ever.

Colleen & Beth

Yeah Christine!

Easter 2011

2011-04-24T10:00:00.000-04:00

Easter ended up being a beautiful spring day. Colton and Leighton were the only two kids at my Aunt Judy's this year, so they had the whole easter egg hunt to themselves.

Hawaii - Going home

2011-04-14T10:00:00.003-04:00

The last day we sailed all around the island and the landscapes literally could take your breath away. At one point, I looked over and thought there was a movie backdrop in the background. We watched the sunset from our balcony and enjoyed our last bottle of wine. In the morning we left the boat and headed the airport. it was that morning that we finally got the rainbow we had been waiting for, we are pretty sure it was my grandfather saying Aloha. Trip of a lifetime that I will never forget. Mahalo and Aloha. :)

Hawaii - Day 8 & 9

2011-04-13T14:00:00.009-04:00

The last destination on our cruise was Kauai, we spent two days there. There is a reason people say this is the most beautiful island...well, it is. No picture will do it justice (certainly no picture taken with my iphone) so take my word for it or go visit it yourself.

Heidi and I did the ultimate excursion, the one that I had been dying to do, zip-lining! It was amazing. Neither of us had ever done it and always wanted to, so where better than to make it your first...Hawaii! They took us out to Kipu Ranch which is where they just finished filming Pirates of the Caribbean (yes, we did the same zips as Johnny Depp) and so many other famous movies and shows (Jurassic Park, Indiana Jones, Hawaii 5-0, Mash). The last run was a tandem line, so Heidi and I went side by side...she even got a little video of our ride. Then we hiked through the rainforest to this little swimming hole where there was this little water line that Heidi did a couple hundred times. It was awesome. That night Kathy, Heidi and I went our for dinner and drinks at a local bar. It was a perfect last night in Kauai.

Hawaii - Day 7

2011-04-12T14:30:00.003-04:00

Next morning we woke up in Kona. This was the one port you needed to be tendered into land, so fun! It was interesting that you could see visible damage from the recent tsunami, the visitors building was totaled from the floods, just crazy that it all happened so close to our trip. When Heidi and I walked off the pier a moped went flying by and that was all we needed to plan our next "fly by the seat of our pants" excursion. We found the nearest moped rental place, which gave free snorkeling gear with their rentals, grabbed a map and hit the road. SO MUCH FUN (I want a vespa please). We found so many cool beaches driving along the shore. We stopped at one spot, White Sands Beach, and it was so clear that we had to get in the water and snorkel. As soon as I dove in and looked to my left to find Heidi I was face to face with a huge sea turtle that I swear to God smiled and waved. The clearest water, whitest sand surrounded by black lava rock...breath-taking. I heart Kona. That night we took a mojito making class on the boat...whoa nelly.

Hawaii - Day 5 & 6

2011-04-11T10:00:00.005-04:00

Our second day in Maui we decided to take some pointers from the locals and hit a near by surfing town, Paia (http://www.paiamaui.com/). I have no pictures to share, just memories of surfer dudes, awesome frozen lime yogurt and the cutest little downtown. At night we hit the wine bar for a bit and there was a piano man taking request. Well since we were the only ones there, we each chose a surprise song for the group...oh yeah I made the 50+ year old piano man play I Will Survive...hehe.

The next morning we woke up in Hilo! Which is where the National Volcanic Park is and all the cool waterfalls. We did a bus tour excursion and stopped at the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Factory, an orchid farm, waterfalls, and the National Park where we got to walk through the lava tube and rainforest. It was pretty amazing. Next time (yes, I already talk about the next time), I would like to do some serious hiking in this area, the bus was nice but I really wanted my feet to touch more lava. :)

Hawaii - Day 4

2011-04-10T11:00:00.002-04:00

We woke up to room service bring us coffee and fruit platters. We also realized that with our room upgrade we got bathrobes...bonus! While we were enjoying our breakfast on the balcony I look up and see whales breaching and playing in the water off the coast of Maui...double bonus! This is the way to start a cruise...wow. Once we got to the dock, we did our first excursion, snorkeling at the Molokini Crater. We took a catameran our to this sunken crater that is one of the top 10 snorkling sites in the world. As soon as we started our bumpy ride out we saw more whales and had to stop so they could pass us. It was all surreal until Heidi and I, along with a few others on the boat realized how rocky the ride was actually getting. Long story short there were lots of pukers, we were one of them but we definitely were in the fetal position and looking for dramamine like crack addicts. Once we got to the crater opted to just dive in the water and it was the best cure for sure! The highlight of this trip was that my aunt doesn't swim, never has been in over her head in fact. Well Heidi has a way with these things and somehow convinced my aunt that she could do it. She hooked her up with a life jacket bubble, two noodles and all the snorkeling gear and she took her all over the place in a tandem snorkel. For someone who has been afraid of water their whole like you have no idea what an accomplishment and life moment this was for her. We were so proud and snorkeling as a group made it that much special. After we were done at Molokini we went to this other place to snorkel with the sea turtles. As we were approaching the site the little guys would swim by and say hi I swear. So stinking cute. Lunch and open bar on the way back to the shore was awesome and this was definitely one of the best excursions we did. A top 10 experience. We do have pictures somewhere of Auntie snorkeling but they are on someone else's camera. Here is a look at us waking up that morning on the balcony and then all dolled up for dinner. :)

Hawaii - Day 3

2011-04-09T10:00:00.002-04:00

Saturday morning Heidi and I got up bright and early so we could hike Diamondhead Crater before we boarded the cruise ship. It was a beautiful morning and we were thankful we went early because the sweat factor from hiking this thing was high, seeing as how we practically ran in so we could get back early, also Hawaii can be really humid! It was worth the trip though, the views were awesome and now every time I see that mountain in the background of any photo I think, "wow I was there"! We met the girls after the hike for a quick breakfast, coconut pancakes, does it get any better? Next we boarded the ship for our 7 day cruise to all the islands. Heidi and I wasted no time and got right in the hot tub and ordered the drink of the day. We were really excited when we got to our room and we (Kathy and I) were able to surprise the rest of the girls with our upgrades to large balconies off the back of the boat. These suckers were almost the same size as our rooms. It pays to travel with those that have the AARP discount...we saved almost $1ooo/room with this upgrade! The joke behind this one is that my Aunt refused to admit she was old enough for AARP and months ago told my Uncle she wouldn't be caught dead with one of those cards...that is until I told her how much we could save...lol. Suddenly over 50 isn't so bad now is it Judy? ;)

Hawaii - Day 2

2011-04-08T14:00:00.006-04:00

The second day in Honolulu we didn't waste any time. We went to Pearl Harbor, get the chills thinking about it, then we headed to the Punchbowl which is the national cemetary in Hawaii and where my grandfather is buried. He passed away in 1971 and it has taken my mom and aunt many years to get there but they did it, an emotional visit to say the least and our most important stop on this trek through the islands. The Punchbowl had amazing views from this large sort of hidden observation deck located a short hike above the cemetery. I think it is as close to heaven as you can get physically in this life. We ended the day pool side with coconut brown ale beers and then we strolled along the beach and ended up at a popular bar called Dukes. Live music with hula dancers, foo-foo drinks and great food...ahhh vacation. We stayed late night doing some shopping in the international marketplace where literally there are thousands of stores selling the same touristy things...another successful day.

View from the grave at Punchbowl.

I think this is as close to Heaven as you can get on earth.

Reunited over 30 years later with their dad.

Pearl Harbor

YouTube Video

Hawaii - Day 1

2011-04-07T12:00:00.001-04:00

I can finally check off one of the biggest "to-do's" on my bucket list...Hawaii. I was lucky enough to enjoy the experience with some of my favorite people, my mom, Heidi, my Aunt Judy and our good friend Kathy. We flew into Oahu and did some touristy things for a few days before we boarded a 7 night cruise to all the islands. I can honestly say my pictures do no justice (what do you expect when I am an iphone junkie and it is the only camera I brought...other people had theirs but seriously it will be months before they download them and share so I can't wait!).

Day one we flew into Oahu and checked into our hotel right near Waikki beach. Awesome. I was really surprised to see how touristy and trendy Honolulu was, still nice just way more "city" than I expected. Started the night off with some mai tais, hawaii 5-0's and this amazing dinner at this local hole in the wall called Side Street Inn. Kathy had read in a magazine on the plane that this is where all the local chefs and people go eat and it was suppose to be awesome. Well it is literally a bar that has tables and serves food that will blow your socks off. No joke. We ran into a couple that was visiting and had already eaten there two days in a row because the food was so good and really inexpensive. Go you won't be sorry (grilled mushrooms and the house fried rice is a must).

Notice Diamondhead in the background...yes we hiked it...stay tuned!

Hitting it out of the park...

2011-04-03T13:00:00.001-04:00

The Sunday before I left for my vacation to Hawaii I wanted to spend the whole day with Colton and Nick. Colton naturally wanted to play every sport known to man so here is a look at us playing ball. He can hit it over the house and has outgrown our backyard so we now take him and his aluminum bat to the fields across the street. Our windows are relatively new and replacing them so soon would suck. ;)

Surprise Parties & Old Friends...

2011-04-02T21:00:00.000-04:00

My good friend Kim threw her husband Mike a surprise 40th birthday party. It was at the Mayflower Brewery in Plymouth and tons of fun with good food, free beer and best friends. The five of us have been friends since the 7th grade!

Kim and Mike

Kim, Me, Colleen, Beth and Christene (horrible picture I know but who cares)

Colleen, Christine and Ben

(Ben was Colleen's high school sweetheart and we did the math and they have been together now for 20 years!!!)

Silly Hat Day

2011-03-29T19:00:00.001-04:00

Wednesday was Silly Hat Day at school for Colton. Tuesday after work I watched the boys over at Heidi's so I thought what better to fill our afternoon with than a little arts and crafts. So we all made silly hats that they could decorate and design however they wanted. I have to say it kept them quite busy and entertained so my strategy worked. Colton's had robots, a house, a baseball and the Great Wall of China (I think that was a tribute to my cousin Paul who is currently living in China). Riley's was all sports and a monkey hanging on the tree, along with some funky hair. Brayden wouldn't pose for a picture (what's new?) but we cut out eyes for him and it became a superhero mask which he loved and was running around the house. The mask worked great until he couldn't quite see out of it anymore and Superman ran into the kitchen chair and busted his forehead....ooops.

Scrub a dub dub two kids in a tub...

2011-03-28T19:00:00.000-04:00

Colton is a big-kid-shower kind of kid now a days but, he will take any opportunity he can to roll in a dirt pile if it means he can take a tub with his buddy Brayden. They play cars or spiderman for hours in there when we let them. When I say he rolls in dirt I am not joking by the way. We wash his coats weekly because of the abuse, the holes in the knees of the pants are countless and the dirt that gets embedded in his face almost makes me not want a kiss (I will still take one though...dirt and all).

Chicken Marsala...

2011-03-27T20:00:00.000-04:00

The Wallbanger and I decided to have a joint birthday party dinner this year. Since we both love chicken marsala it was a no brainer to have Corey cook and I thought it would be nice to go over to his and Zach's place so I didn't have to worry about cleaning and entertaining (I mean it was my bday dinner right?). The whole family was there, dinner was out of this world and the homemade death by chocolate with reece cup fudge frosting cake Heidi made for dessert put us over the edge (what can I say I LOVE chocolate and adding reeces to anything makes me happy). Leighton showed up in her usual diva way. Can you handle the sunglasses? This other picture is of me pretending to be Wally. The black wig, the Marvin the Martian bday balloon (yes, we continue to rip on him because his first tattoo was of Marvin the Martian...oh the regrets of that one but it has provided us years of entertainment). All I was missing was my iphone and Gucci loafers and I would have nailed the part.

Thanks to my family for a wonderful dinner celebration!