Molon Adventures: December 2010

Thursday

Joe took the day off yesterday and we decided to make the most of it!

First up, sledding! There is a small hill at the end of our street that is perfect for small children!

First run down, ready for more!

Hannah loves sledding! The faster the better!

And this year, Emme liked it a little too!!! She is definitely not our adventurous child (as of yet), but she smiled as she went down the hill with her Dady!

In the afternoon, we headed into Boston to ice skate on Frog Pond. After waiting in line for over an hour and Emme taking a very big tumble on her face, we made it in just in time for them to clean the ice. Hannah did really well, but unfortunately we didn't take any pictures this trip because Emme took a lot of tending to.

After ice skating, we walked to Faneuil Hall to the Build a Bear shop. Emme and Hannah received gift cards from a colleague of Joe's for Christmas. They each picked out a pink puppy (the exact same one) to love. Hannah named hers Princess and Emme named hers Puppy. Stuffing their furry friends.

Then we went out to dinner and headed home with our new puppies.

Emme was so funny as she just wouldn't let us hold her Puppy (in it's house). She insisted on doing it herself and walking as well. We got a lot of looks....she was just too cute dragging it through the snow, puddles, etc. (needless to say, Puppy's house was completely ruined by the time we got home)

Hannah and Princess.

And now back to the Common tonight for New Year's Eve fun!

Snow....Love it or Hate it?

Big snowstorm the other day! 15" of snow

Love it!!!

Hate it!

Christmas

Twas the night before Christmas and Hannah left out treats for Santa and his reindeer.

Did he come? Some little girl was very excited to go find out!

And sure enough...Santa had come!

Hannah making funny faces while she was trying to get everything out of her stocking.

Emme's turn. Unfortunately Emme had nursemaid's elbow again the day before and the arm was still painful (right arm). She wasn't in the best of moods as it had been a long night without much sleeping going on (for Mommy and Daddy too).

"holy cow"

Her very own computer from Gramma and Gramps.

Emme just taking a break from opening presents to read her favorite book! (almost every time we go to the library Emme insists on checking this book out and now she has her very own copy).

Emme opening her present from Mommy and Daddy. Hannah, as usual, would pass out each present and then help open them for each person. We tried to let Emme open her presents on her own, but it was very hard for Hannah especially since Emme was slow!

A new baby and stroller from Gramma and Gramps!

Hannah and her treasure hunt game...the absolutely only thing she asked from Santa for Christmas (although when we saw Santa at the library he said he would bring her some surprises too)! She was very excited!

And from Buddy Joe, a princess tent and tunnel!

The girls loved their new tent! But quickly found out that both of them couldn't come out at the same time.

After opening presents and having nut roll for breakfast, we headed to Aunt Connie and Uncle Paul's for a wonderful family dinner....

Hannah and Owen exchanging gifts!

Daddy and his girls.

Addie, Hannah, and Emme checking out Addie's new Nook.

Yummy turkey dinner! Table manners? (I should mention this was the Daddies and kids table)

Emme in her new chair made by Uncle Bill just for her reading Owen's book.

Hannah and Emme!

Daddy and a cuddly, happy Emme!

Jammies and then home for a good night's sleep!

Last few days with the Rees'

It finally came time to say goodbye to our good friends! Last Saturday we had them over for dinner!

Cai and Hannah have been best of friends for the last 3 years. They have always reminded Kerry and I of an old married couple. Here are the 2 of them in a happy moment. They were both so excited to be in snowman jammies.

Watching the train. All 4 lined up!

And another...

Kerry and I.

On Tuesday we met them in Harvard Square for dinner. Hannah and Cai!

And finally yesterday, we said our farewells (for now). We will all miss them very much!

First Snow

First snow of the season.

Hannah checking it out this morning before running errands.

Emme "our thinker" contemplating whether she wants to step any further into the snow....she didn't.

And then this afternoon, Libby and Hannah built the world's smallest snowman. OK, maybe it wasn't THE smallest, but it was pretty small.

Libby and Hannah with their masterpiece.

Hannah's holiday party

Yesterday was the holiday party at Hannah's nursery school. There was a special sing a long with Hugh Hanley which all of the kids enjoyed followed by a pot luck lunch. Emme and Hannah are in the back in their matching dresses from one of Joe's coworkers. Per Hannah's request, they also both had braids.

Dancing around!

Emme and her little friend Megan.

Tessa, Hannah, and Ellie (Megan's older sister).

Hannah and her teacher, Miss Nancy!

Emme and one of her most favorite friends, Amelia!!!

Our neighbor (and surrogate Grandma), June, went to the party with us! The sun was a bit much; Emme just couldn't take it.

Silly girl!

Rees' Surprise Going Away Party

Last night we threw a surprise going away party for our closest friends, Kerry, Aled, Cai, and Amelie at The Klubhouse. They are moving to Shanghai, China (hopefully for just 3 years but we all know how that turned out for us??). We are very sad to see them go, but will hopefully be able to visit them while there!

All of the kids!

Emme, Amelie (hidden), and Ellen.

Amelie "feeding" the dinosaur.

Amelia (who just turned 1 that day) and Maggie.

Emme and Amelie doing what they do best...arguing over something. : ) It was really funny because Emme was whining because Amelie kept opening the door and she wanted it closed and then 2 seconds later it was the exact opposite. Just an age thing I guess??

As a going away present, the group gave Kerry and Aled a photo album of all of the pictures we've all taken over the years! It turned out amazing (thanks to Sarah).