Uncle Zach gets his tree

Last Friday night we took the kids to Uncle Zachs to help decorate his tree. He called us from his local waterhole after work with the invite. In a typical Zach way, he left the bar about 20 minutes before meeting us at his house, went to the tree place and grabbed the first tree he saw when he walked in that was all tied up and ready to go. In other words, we had no idea what this tree would look like, bare spots? missing branches? Quite the mystery! We had fun though. Hot chocolate with mini marshmallows (I may have had eggnog and rum) and fresh baked cookies (notice I did not say homemade). In the end I think the tree looked great and Uncle Zach's place is open for business (hmmm...wonder if we should have gotten him some mistletoe).

The Polar Express - pictures galore

Now that everyone is recovered from the Sparkle Parade blog entry from a few days ago (I know, I know, the Moose Queen is a little disturbing), I finally got around to downloading my pictures from the rest of our weekend up in Maine. The next morning the girls got up bright and early to hit the outlets and the guys took the kids to breakfast with Santa at our hotel where they had a cookie decorating station, ornament decorating, pictures with Santa...couldn't have been more convenient! That night we went on the Polar Express out of Portland where we had first class tickets and an entire train caboose reserved just for us! They reenacted the movie as we rode to the North Pole to pick up Santa. Kids wore their pjs and we made a stop along the way while the chefs delivered hot chocolate and cookies (song and all). It was super cute, we sang carols and had so much fun, can't wait to do it again when Leighton is older and can join us. To top off the weekend our hotel also had a pool and the kids really enjoyed that and I liked the hot tub and the bar where Nicole and I snuck off to when the kids fell asleep. It even snowed...ah...love Maine and this time of year!!!

Brayden some how wasn't afraid of this Santa and even posed for a picture...
shocking to all.

This was our Elf who helped tell the story and make our ride fun!

The kids and the Conductor...notice the kids have golden tickets!
We lost these a few times on the train ride...just like the movie...hehe.

All Colton wanted was the bell from Santa's sleigh...thank goodness he got it!

I think all this Christmas stuff wore him out pretty good...what do you think?!?!

Riley gets the gold

We had quite the surprise when Riley came home the other day with an award and a big medal. The school had a special award day where they honored one student from each grade with a Citizen of the School award. Guess what...Riley was chosen for the kindergarten! He had no idea what was happening and they called him on stage and gave him this award and this great big medal. The next week he was invited to a special lunch with the principal and the other award winners. When Heidi and Phil asked why Riley was selected the teachers told them it was because he was so caring and nice to all the kids. I guess when other kids have cried, were sad or having a bad day he has been the first to go over and put his arm around them and tell them its ok. Wow - goes to show he is that beautiful on the inside and out...I am so proud of my nephew!!!

Nana got a new bag

My Nana turned 84 this year and we celebrated with a family dinner (Corey made chicken marsala) and I made a homemade cake (yeah it was from a box). Delicious! Here she is with her first Coach purse accompanied with the matching wallet...I think it was a hit. :-)

Thanksgiving 2009

We spent Turkey day in Pennsylvania with Nick's family. Colton played with his cousin Aidan, got spoiled by grandma and grandpa, played with all his aunts and uncles he doesn't get to see so often and as you can see from the pictures it was a fun filled weekend and we ate like we were going to the chair. I think he won great grandma over when he sang his special song "people let me tell you about my best friend" and he named great grandma! He also ran back to give her one last hug good bye when we were leaving. Oh he can be quite the charmer that son of mine.

Colton's cousin Aidan

Aunt Julie

The kids table and then below is

Nick's dad, sister Janette, Grandma, Nick, Aidan & Colton

The Moose Queen and Sparkle Parade

Months ago I planned this trip up to Maine to take the kids on the Polar Express. A big old group of us went up for the weekend, Nick, me and Colton, Heidi, Phil and the kids, my mom, Aunt Judy, my cousin Nicole, and even my Nana! We went up Friday night and hit the Sparkle parade in Freeport. It was great, Wally the Green Monster was there and they had the big LL Bean boot float. I have many pictures from the weekend on my camera but I have yet to download these so I figured I would share the ones from the parade that I had on my phone. Umm...so the background here is that Nicole told the boys that she was in the parade because she was voted the Moose Queen of Maine. She disappeared for quite some time and eventually her "float" came "trotting" through and the Moose Queen had her day of fame. Colton and Riley really truly believe she was voted the Moose Queen and was in the parade...go ahead ask them. This was also the moment in time when I realized that Riley gets embarrassed...if you could have seen his face when the Moose Queen showed up...he wanted to just die.

The fish tank at LL Bean.

Warming up.

Nana is always a good sport!

The kids talking to Sparkle the tree...the tree talks to you...so fun.

Best Buds...even after an ugly snowball fight!

The Moose Queen gets two thumbs up for the best float!!!

First School Picture

Apparently they do school pictures for preschool...why not?!?! Waiting to see the class picture...that hasn't come in yet...but should be interesting. He looks so grown up!

C-O-L-T-O-N

Here is a look at the first time Colton wrote his name all on his own with no help from Mommy. Pretty good right?!?! We were at a local restauraunt and he wrote this on the menu so I took a picture to share.

He is growing up too fast but he is still my baby. Look at him sleeping on the couch that same day with his little stuffed animal...looks so innocent when he sleeps. :)

Sorry - I realize this is sideways!

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Happy Birthday Riley

Riley turned 6 on Sunday. He celebrated with a Sponge Bob/Pirate party at the YMCA. They played dodgeball, soccer, all sorts of games! Few kids from school came and I think he had a really great day and the pictures and videos prove it...all courtesy of the iPhone...I have a ton on my camera but who knows when I will get to those!

Heidi made the cake...Riley made his legs and arms.

Mr.Fox

Dodgeball

Pictures for Leighton

Colton and I decorated these adorable pictures of his cousin this week! Heidi and I stopped by the other day and got to help Alicia give Leighton her first bath. She loved it and didn't cry once...she is perfect!












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