Empire State of Mind...

The day after Christmas we left for our trip to New York.  After six and a half hours in the car, we stopped in Harrisburg, PA for the night.  Early Tuesday we got back in the car for the rest of the drive.  It was a super-easy drive...until we got to the Lincoln Tunnel.  Midtown traffic is the worst.  But, finally we made it to Mike's parents' house out on Long Island.  The girls were so super-excited to see him--I mean, it had been a whole month ; ).  They were also very anxious to meet his parents.  Luckily for Barry and I, the girls perform at their best around other people.  So, they were really ready to shine on this trip.  After presenting the gifts the girls brought (Logan made an apron for Mike's mom--it was quite lovely, and she was very proud of it), we went out for pizza. 

 

The girls with Mrs. B and Mike...

 

The next morning we headed out for a trip to the city.  We took the Long Island Railroad to Penn Station.  The ride was a little over an hour, but the girls were too excited to care (plus they had "Angry Birds" to help keep them entertained).  From Penn Station we took the subway down to lower Manhattan to see the new 9/11 Memorial, and meet Mike's brother Chris.  It was done really well, but it was pretty surreal to be in a place where such tragic devastation took place--very sad.  Next we walked up to City Hall to meet Mike's dad for lunch.  The girls were really out of their element walking past all the fist markets in Chinatown.  But, we had an awesome meal in Little Italy--I ate way too much!   

Mike and the girls on the train...

 

Maren and Daddy on Wall Street...

Checking out the memorial...

The new Freedom Tower...

 

Carsyn and Mr. B...

 

Little Italy...

Where they film scenes from Law and Order...

Once we got back to Long Island, Mrs. B had made an appointment for manicures and pedicures.  The girls had been looking forward to this for weeks!  They had so much fun.  While the girls were getting pampered, the boys were having a Wii tournament...the jury is still out on the winner ; ).  For dinner we went to a restaurant called Pit Stop that was featured on an episode of Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives--kind of a tradition when we hang out with Mike.  It was so good.  And, just to show you how well-behaved (and, cute probably doesn't hurt) the girls were...the owner went out of his way to give the girls complimentary cookies.  We definitely recommend it! 

 

Mani's and Pedi's...

 

They need some manly activities, surrounded by all that pink...

The girls and their three favorite guys (no, seriously--the girls literally met Mike's brother Chris only hours before this picture was taken, and look how affectionate Maren is)...

 

Thursday morning we went back to Manhattan to see the Rockettes, and other sights.  We thought about skating at Rockerfeller Center--but, apparently so did everyone else--the line was ridiculous.  The Radio City Christmas Spectacular was pretty good (even though a couple of guys I know might have fallen asleep).  After the show we enjoyed a late lunch at the restaurant where Chris' girlfriend, Kim works...the girls were only a little jealous ; ).  Then we were off to Times Square.  Whoa!  Was it crowded!  It was almost impossible to walk down Broadway, and keep all seven of us together.  But, we got a few photos and even saw the "Naked Cowboy", before making the trek back down to Penn Station.  What great day in Manhattan--even though it was pretty chilly. 

 

Checking out the koi pond in the backyard before heading out for the day...

 

Back on the train...

The Rockerfeller Christmas tree...

Inside Radio City Music Hall...

 

 

After the show...

 

The girls and Kim (aka...best server ever!)...

 

Times Square...

 

Empire State Building...

 

Back in Long Island we ate dinner, and then the girls had so much fun making a gingerbread house with Mrs. B, Nani, and the neighbors' little girl.  Such a perfect ending to a great day!

 Building a gingerbread house is serious business...

 

Checking out the progress...

The girls...

 

On Friday morning the girls were pretty sad, knowing that we had to return home.  They really didn't want to say goodbye to Mike's mom when she left for work.  But, we were able to spend a little bit of time at Long Beach.  Such a pretty view from the boardwalk, and such a fabulous day.  A huge THANK YOU to Annamaria, Mike, Mike, and Chris for being such hospitable hosts.  We will always treasure our time with your family...love you guys!

 

Mrs. B and the girls...

The girls at the beach...

 

Hanging out on the boardwalk...

 

Goodbye, friends...until next time...

We Wish You a Merry Christmas...

The girls were thrilled when they woke up this morning to find out that they must have actually made it on the "nice list".  Barry and I were not as anxious to be woken up...c'mon, 10 more minutes!  It actually wasn't too early...8:30ish.  The girls loved their presents from Santa, and I loved that we were all together.  It seems like so many of our friends were spending Christmas apart because of deployments this year (or have in years past).  We are very fortunate that we haven't had to do that yet (let's hope never).  My dad is in Afghanistan right now...I can only imagine how hard that is.  We wish you all a very Merry Christmas, and hope that you were able to spend it with your loved ones--and a safe and speedy return to those who couldn't!

Merry Christmas!

 

*You may notice that they aren't in matching pajamas this year...I just couldn't find any that I loved.  These are in the same color family, but they definitely don't match.  Hopefully next year I'll get it together.

Christmas Eve...

It almost doesn't feel like Christmas...the weather has been so mild, and we have had no real snow.  But, I'll take it.  I hate the cold.  The girls were thrilled not to have to wear tights under their dresses to Mass tonight.  We love Christmas Eve Mass.  Afterward we had dinner and opened presents from each other.  The girls are in bed...hoping they made the "nice list".  We'll see...

Before Mass...

After...

Merry Christmas from our family to yours...

A Very Indy Christmas...

Yesterday after daddy got home from work, we headed to Indy to celebrate Christmas with family.  Daddy's side of the family seems to get bigger every year.  This year we were up to 23 people--all in one house.  We didn't get a whole-group shot...getting this one of just the kids was hard enough.  Afterward we stopped by Kathy's to visit with them.  The girls had fun playing with Lyla.  It was a long and busy day, but we had a great time!

Cousins...

  

The girls and Lyla...

Christmas Baking...

Since the girls had so much fun last year making gingerbread cookies with their dad, he insisted that it was their new tradition.  The girls had just as much fun this year.  We'll see if the aprons still fit next year...

Last Day of School in 2011 and the Kindergarten Christmas Party...

Well, today was the last day of school for the year.  The girls are so excited for Christmas, and I'm so excited to be able to sleep in.  Maren's class had their Christmas party today.  Afterward she and I delivered all treats and cards to the teachers. 

Last time getting on the bus is 2011...

Maren at her party...

4th Grade Christmas Party...

This afternoon we had the 4th grade Christmas party.  Logan's class had fun finishing their ornaments, eating lots of goodies, trying to remember the correct lyrics to Christmas carols, and occasionally singing them.  Maren had fun pretending to be a fourth-grader.  Meanwhile, Carsyn's class and their 7th grade prayer partners went caroling for real at a nursing home.  Good times!

Logan and Madeleine...

Maren and her 4th grade friends...

Carsyn and Marie, back from singing their hearts out...

Getting Crafty this Christmas...

You're not going to believe this...but, I am the "room mom" for all three girls' classes this year.  That means I am responsible for the class teachers' gifts.  This year--in addition to the gift certificates--I had the kids make cards using their finger prints.  They turned out pretty cute, I think. 

for Carsyn's teacher...

for Maren's teacher...

for Logan's teacher...

 

Festive Fashions...

The girls had an out-of-uniform day today, so I decided to go to school during lunch and take pictures.  Or else it seems like everyone is always wearing the same thing (hahaha...that's funny because they wear uniforms to school...never mind).

The girls before school...

4th grade indoor recess...

2nd grade indoor recess...

Logan's School Christmas Program...

Tonight was Logan's turn to entertain with her musical stylings.  Actually, it was the entire third, fourth, and fifth grade, but Logan was our favorite ; ).  Carsyn and Maren had fun watching in the audience with Marie.  I'm just glad this week's almost over. 

Waiting for the show...

Logan's class...

Lilli and Logan...

So much red...

Carsyn and Maren's School Christmas Program...

This evening was the K-2 Christmas music program at school.  Carsyn and Maren take this very seriously.  They've been practicing at home...every chance they get.  In fact, I think Logan would have thrown something at Carsyn had she heard "Angels We Have Heard on High" one more time ; ).  Maren was so funny tonight.  She kept telling us how nervous she was.  You'd have thought the girl was starring on Broadway or something.  So silly.  The show was cute, and under 30 minutes--thank you, Mr. P!

Let's get this show on the road...



Carsyn's class...

Maren's class...

Carsyn, Marie, and Maren after the show...

Maren and Lauren...

Friends...

It's Friday...

...but, we're not that excited about it...it's a drill weekend--yuck!  Oh well, maybe I'll get some wrapping accomplished...oh wait, first I have to go shopping ; )  How else can I make sure the girls will be looking fab for their out-of-uniform days?

Friday fashions...