On the 7th day of Christmas !

I was up after Stephen left for work, I love being off for 2 1/2 weeks. Although I'm sure I will be ready next week to get back on my schedule. I love being home and spending time with the kids. Especially since Troy has to go back on the 10th.  I filled the cars with gas, to make sure the kids had full tanks for their excursions tonight. One to Schroon lake, the other to Saratoga for the New Year with their friends. Stephen and I will be attending a house party here in our neighborhood with our friends. My mom took us out for lunch to a local bistro called Sage. It was our time with her to celebrate NYE. She enjoyed the afternoon visiting with Troy and Alexis. Can't believe this year is about to end and a new one to begin,  we need to slow them down !  A Happy, Healthy and prosperous New Year to you all and to your most precious gift of  all your family!

On the 6th day of Christmas!

I awakened early due to Stephen having to go back to work today after being off a week. That was fine since I had clients this morning starting at 10 am until 12:30pm. I had errands to run to get in the ingredients for garbage bread I am making for the NYE party we are invited to. I arrived home to the kids and Erika making pretzels, yum the house smelt so good! Alexis also decided to open up one of my gifts and start charging it, I can't wait to try it, hope it works !

On the 5th day of Christmas !

Stephen still off from work, he has been off since last Monday. It was such a nice treat to have him home, and He was able to spend some time with Troy.  They have been up every night watching movies and drinking milkshakes. Today I went to the post office to mail out some of Troys school books he is selling on line. He makes a pretty good buck on his used books. Alexis had a orthodontic checkup this afternoon then we met the men at City Line for a late lunch, early dinner. It's was fun, and it was great spending time with just the 4 of us. Tonight I will spend it at home awaiting for my groceries to be delivered, love not having to go to a grocery store.

On the 4th day of Christmas

We did nothing, we got up late, I took down all the garland and lights on the staircase. I put away all the Carolers , took down both villages.  It felt so good, now all I have is the tree, but that will stay up all the 12 days of Christmas.  Sometimes the clutter drives me nuts. I like it less cluttered it's keeps the dust down. I purchased some new floral arraignments before Christmas, it was nice to finally put them on display. Although the house looks bare I will get use to it quickly.

On the 3rd day of Christmas !

We enjoyed some delicious pizza, a beautiful green salad and a homemade Mac and cheese. We had my sister Amy and her family, our goods friends the Nagy's over for some Christmas cheer ! It was such a relaxing night just hanging out watching the Boston College and Penn state play at Yankee stadium for the Pinstripe Bowl.

On the 2nd Day of Christmas !

It was so nice to sleep in and have a lazy day in our pjs. We went to my brother Garry's house that night. We celebrated with Judd, Sara and Rylin since they were in Buffalo with her family.  We were able to finish up all the left overs from Christmas dinner, which I was so glad to do. It actually was even tastier the second time around. We enjoyed spending time with Rylin, she is such a cutie, 3 months and starting to laugh and smile.

Serenity

This is what I love, the peacefulness of the night. The quiet, and my family at my side. Until they decided to watch a movie till 2 am.

The Cousins

The cousins love spending time together, they love hanging in the basement playing games..

Crazy Kids

They are so goofy and funny together, I hope they can always be this close!

Christmas Dinner

One again Stephen out did himself, the prime rib of beef was amazing, probably the best yet, cooked perfectly. We enjoyed my special recipe mashed potatoes, fresh broccoli in a creamy cheese sauce, a corn casserole and fresh cut carrots with a honey glaze. We had fresh apple sauce and cranberries, some banana and cranberry breads. We ate well. We had apple, pumpkin and a chocolate cream pies for dessert and of course my cookies.  The rest of the family arrived for dessert later that evening and to play our present exchange game. As always, it was so much fun!

Christmas Morning

We slept in till about 9 am. Alexis' rule this year was that no one could shower or get dressed before opening gifts. She wanted it to be like when they were little and open  their gifts in their pjs  with much demise from her brother,  he finally agreed, but no pictures of him are allowed, I was able to sneak one, of course.  We take are time and we go around one gift at a time, this way we see what each other is getting.  So needless to say this takes a couple of hours, which it is such a fun time with lots of laughs, these are the memories we will always treasure. I love having my kids home and together, they love each other so much. I hope they always stay this close. The best gift had to be Stephens ice cream shake maker, he was so surprised and happy. He planned on firing it up after dinner and making milk shakes for everyone!

Preparing for the big day!

Christmas Day is right around the corner. The house is all decorated the food is all bought, we now take the time to prepare all the goodies that will be sharing with our family on Christmas Day. The gifts are all wrapped and under the tree. My oh my how can this be. Christmas Day is quickly upon us, so blessed are we!

Happy Birthday Dad !

It's hard to believe that daddy has been gone 2 yrs. He is with us everyday. The fine sun light on his picture and his shooting star, those are the signs we need to see. We miss you more than you could know. Love you dad!

Decking the Halls !

We started a little early decorating this year knowing we would be away for thanksgiving, and since I host Christmas dinner and all the preparations that go into that, I needed to start early. I got my cookies, casseroles(all frozen) shopping almost done. Wrapping, ugh ! Only 3 weeks, and I'm not finished decorating, or am I ?