Ski Lessons

The boys are taking ski lessons through an after school program. The program is five weeks long and takes place at McIntyre Ski area in Manchester. They are half way through the program and have made good progress. Benny is learning to ski and Jacob is doing snowboarding. George is chaperoning and trying to convince me to put on some skis and help out. (This scares me!)

Magic carpet ride for Jacob.

There goes Jacob.

And Benny!

Making some pizza...we used to call it snowplowing.

There he is.

Go Jacob!

It snowed, it snowed...

We had some snow over Christmas break...

Clearing the driveway!

The kids love it.

Having fun.

And more fun!

The dog enjoyed it too.

Pretty girl.

Christmas Vacation

We had a fun and relaxing Christmas break. Here are some pictures:

The nutcrackers were sad to see the holidays end.

The boys did some arts and crafts - Ben made a ninja costume

and Jacob suited up his stuffed penguin.

We played Sorry Sliders. A vicious game - which

George always won!

Ben still wearing his ninja headband. George - counting

up the points.

Happy.

We read some new books.

The dog took naps.

And it was time to eat the gingerbread houses.

Or destroy them!

Christmas Day

On Christmas morning Benny came into our room at 4:00 am to let us know that he and Jacob "were well rested and ready to get up". We knew that was not the case so we told the boys to stay in their room until 5:30 am. And exactly at 5:30 am they got up to go through their stockings. George and I slept until the late hour of 6:30 am and once the coffee was brewed, presents were being opened.

Later that day we went to my parents house for Christmas dinner. My mom and dad served an Italian feast - antipasto, chicken and pork cutlets, meatballs, homemade sauce. So, so good. Here are some pictures from the day:

Benny got "just what he always wanted!"

Jacob was also excited.

George gave me a Phantom of the Opera nutcracker!

A family photo taken at my parent's house.

Okay now, these were my Grandmother's fur coats.

My dad wanted to sell them but no one wants furs these days.

So fur coats all around!

Me and my sisters.

Just the two of us...

Mom and Dad.

Aunt Liz and her snuggie!

A game of Mr. Mouth - my parents had this game in their basement for 20 years!

Looking good....

Christmas Eve

The Cooks (my in-laws) were here for Christmas Eve. We decided to do a non-traditional dinner - baked haddock and steak tips that George braved the elements to grill out for us . We rounded out the meal with double-stuffed baked potatoes, Mrs. Cook's famous bread braid and some snap peas. As usual, there were way too many presents. Here are some pictures:

The table - set and ready for dinner.

Colin was our first guest to arrive.

Snacks and video poker - heaven for the big boys!

That's my glass of white wine there!

Colin's dog Phil likes to pee in our house.

It's okay because we love that dog!

Jacob - opening a gift.

Ben - also pleased with a present.

Grammy taking it all in.

Smile.

Grampy and Aunt Stacy.

Holiday Visist

Last Sunday we went to visit our good friends the Cosgrove's. Cathy and I have been friends since 3rd grade. The girls put together a gingerbread house while the boys were drooling over Dave's vintage Star Wars collection. Here are some pictures from the day:

A photo of the three kids in front of the tree!

The boys and Star Wars - they were in heaven!

Some of the figures!

Making the gingerbread house!

A fun day!

Gingerbread Houses

The boys put together gingerbread houses today. Jacob did his by himself and Ben only needed assistance getting the house together. Ben used the candies to make a chainsaw for one of the gingerbread cookies. Ben said it was so he could cut down a shrub but I know it is because Ben wanted the cookie to be a Ninja. Here are some pictures from the day:

Just starting out...

Life is sweet!

A little snow....

Victory over the gingerbread house!

The final products!