This one is for you mom

Socks!!!! Woooo-hooooo!! Thought you might like to know that Madster proudly gave her daddy some new Hanes for his tootsies.

One of the many reasons I love your son..... Not only can he play football like a pro with the kids but did you know he could also make beautiful flowers out of tissue paper!?

One of those parental teaching moments.... how to make the perfect latte. Do we see a Barista in the making??

Some Highlights of Christmas Day

Christmas Day was as magical as ever in our house this year. The children were filled with excitement to get downstairs to see what Santa had left them. As most of you know, the children each receive 3 presents from Santa - the same amount of gifts baby Jesus received from the WiseMen. We are so happy we started this tradition when Madeleine was a baby- it has really kept the true meaning of Christmas in perspective for us.

This year, St. Nick surprised the girls with doll beds and a doll armoire. Does everyone remember how my sewing machine was tucked deep in the closet after my second sewing class at Joanne Fabrics - the one where I was making Maddie's Clifford Halloween costume (she had just turned 1 year that Halloween) and the instructor told me it would be a great benefit to me to repeat the prior beginning class?? Well I am happy to report the sewing machine is out once again and after some trial and error the bedding on the doll beds is made by yours truly. Surprising I know... I guess there is hope for me in becoming the domestic diva I long to be. Adam painted the beds and with the help of his dad, transformed the closet into an armoire. Yes I guess I am a little proud of our craftiness this year.

Okay, back to Christmas.... The girls were surprised by Nina and Grandaddy with dolls to go in their beds. Isn't the look on Chloe's face priceless? The dolls have gone everywhere with us since their arrival. The children also received the Quadrilla Marble Run...... if you do not have one yet it is fabulous.... hours upon hours of entertainment!! Ad woke one morning at 5 am begging to go play the marble game. We held him off until 7 and then he and Big A played with it for quite a while. I think Big A is enjoying it just as much as the little guy!

I know that I am focusing on the presents here but I think what I am truly getting at is the happiness we see in the children's eyes. It was wonderful for Adam and me to see that all of our behind the scenes hardwork really paid off. There is just nothing like the feeling you get when your children are so content. Does anyone understand what I am trying to say???

A big thank you to everyone who sent presents and cards. We loved looking at all of the pictures and cannot get over how big all of the children are getting. We really wish we lived a little closer so we could see everyone more!

Some of you have asked if you can leave comments on the blog.... absolutely. I will check the blog when I check my email... and yes, I am getting better at doing that. Either way - on the blog or my email I love hearing from you!!

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year!! Much love, L

Sweet Anticipation

We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of Santa. The cookies are baked, the carrots have been purchased for the reindeer, the stockings are hung and the excitement in the air is contagious! Maddie has been singing "Santa Claus is coming to town" all morning and Adam and Chloe have not stopped smiling. Big A is incredible!! We have the dreaded New England snow and ice on the roof which means some water is getting in the house. He has managed to keep a smile on his face as well and as always, he puts it all in perspective for the rest of us.... okay me. He truly is the best husband a girl could ask for!!




The children have been loving playing in the snow. The girls have constructed a snow mountain and Ad has been busy trying to make paths for his dump truck. We had a surprise visitor in the snow yesterday and it caused quite a stir especially for me. As we were helping construct the snow mountain a little mouse was making his way for our open garage. I took off toward him and scooped him up with the shovel (yes, while screaming). As I was running down the driveway with him my non-maternity snow pants fell down and my neighbor who was on her way out quickly came over. She heard the screams and saw my pants at my knees.... she thought my water had broken and that I was in labor. We had a good laugh when she found out it was all because of a mouse. Chloe of course wanted to save the mouse and keep it as a pet but mama won out. The mouse is free somewhere - just hopefully not in our house!



A big thanks to Jackie, Jack, John, Meg & Molly for sending us a little slice of Maryland for the holidays; we especially like the Terp bobble-head. We are looking forward to webcamming with everyone tonight and tomorrow.



Merry Christmas!!! and Happy Hannukah!!!

Baking with the kids

With the snow still falling outside we decided to start making our gingerbread houses or as Ad is saying "bread houses." Even big A got into the construction of the house. We had a few collapses, lots of giggles but finally a solid structure ready to be decorated tomorrow with lots of goodies. We also made our gingerbread people to help decorate the scene. Adam really got into rolling out the dough and making gingerbread babies as he called them. The girls of course continue to enjoy any project that involves making a mess:) The messier the better is our motto.. crazy huh?!

As I made the gingerbread earlier today I spoke with Kate M. on the phone and we reminisced about the cookie baking with Aunt Laura gatherings. How I wish we all lived closer so we could continue that tradition but for now pictures of our yummy concoctions will have to do. I'll post pix of the final products once they are done.

Christmas Photo Shoot

Every year we attempt to take a Christmas picture to send out to family and friends and every year it proves to be a challenge to get all 3 children to look at the same time. Adam and I have tried it all - M&M's as bribes which resulted in chocolate hands, mouths and dresses; a lit Advent candle on mommy's head which thank goodness did not result in any injuries but instead a look of amazement and wonder in the girls' eyes which made for a pretty good picture and this year a stuffed bear that climbed on mommy's head and talked in a quite peculiar way. Here are the results of the bear... priceless I must say! The joy in the children, their laughter.... words can't even describe it.