Winter Recess

Wednesday morning of winter recess we drove up to North Conway, NH.  My sister in law rented a condo and invited us to stay with them.  The kids had a blast and I think it was one of our best family vacations to date.  Maybe it's because of the age that they're at that just makes things easier.

Thursday we all went skiing at Black Mountain.  Well, the 8 of them went while I stayed in the lodge surrounded by my books--heaven!!!!

My kids, my nieces and nephew all absolutely LOVE skiing, and my 2 are already looking forward to next year because they will be getting poles.  Up to now they have been skiing without them and they can't wait to get their hands on some.

The Friday was sleeting so skiing was out of the question.  Instead, my brother in law suggested hiking at Diana's Bath.  I was skeptical because I have never hiked in snow before, but we packed up, the kids wore their snow pants, and we hiked.

We were not disappointed.  A beautiful sight awaited us,  

Friday night we drove home--it took 5 hours--Boston traffic--I don't want to talk about it! But Peter & the kids drove back up to NH, this time to Pat's Peak in Henniker, to snow tube with the Boy Scouts on Saturday. I had to work, so I missed that fun.

Waiting for the bus this morning

Sunrise this morning: 

A quiet morning waiting for the bus.

Cody waits too.  She loves the snow.

School tomorrow??  Doubt it.  9 inches are coming.

Quesadilla lunch via Pioneer Woman

This morning I saw a quesadilla recipe on Pioneer Woman's blog & I knew I would be eating it for lunch today.

I changed a couple of things:  I used Fontina cheese & mozzarella because I just wasn't feeling the cheddar. Yes, I do have cheddar in the house. I also mixed some mushrooms with the jalapeños.

So, so good.  Easy to make.  Delicious.  And careful how much jalapeño you add.  My sinuses are clear now.  Best decongestant ever.

Catch up! What we've done since the last post...

 On Thanksgiving we celebrated my 40th birthday since it would actually be the next day.
I can't believe I'm 40, but so far so good.  I can't think of anything I don't like about it…yet.

It was the first time I have done an Advent calendar for the kids.  They loved it!  It was a lot of work, but I think it was worth it.  I used things like chocolate, gum, Silly Putty, a Peanut Christmas DVD, window markers, Legos, other candy.  Stuff like that.

The 4th grade held a Christmas concert….they were excellent…

Joseph and his Robotics Team, named the Blizzard Wizards, competed against a ton of other schools.  It was a very stressful day.  They worked so hard for weeks and weeks.  Who knew robotics could be so stressful?  His team didn't do so great but they learned some good lessons.  All those smart young minds in one room.  Those kids are going to change our world.   

Olivia was in her dance school's (Dance Workshop of Hanover) rendition of the Nutcracker.  It was for 2 days and her first performance was on her 8th birthday.  She'll never forget that birthday.  

The performance was a hit!  This is Olivia and all the "Polichenelles" with "Ms. Ginger" (Julian Mendoza--her dance teacher's husband).  These kids worked so hard for months!  Born performers.

Miss Olivia turned 8 years old.  Her friend Lucas S. brings her flowers every year.  He was born on the same day.  In the room next door to us.  No joke.  Friends for life.  South Shore Hospital had a very good day on December 14, 2005.

I volunteered in Olivia's class.  (olivia & her teacher)

Next day I volunteered in Joseph's class.  (joseph & his teacher)  He's wearing the hat the class made as a winter project.

Christmas Eve Santa visited the cousins  house like he does every year…

Christmas morning about 6am.  Waaaaay too early, but not for these guys…

A week later we rang in the new year with some amazing friends.  Here's Cody all dressed up.

We prayed for a friend who is in Heaven now.

And this boy turned 10.  Double digits!!!!!  He got a snow day on his birthday, how lucky is that?  He's never had school on his birthday.  Ha!

Thankful for relaxing days...

This morning the power went out just after I finished brewing my coffee.  Decaf.  Don't tell my cardiologist.  Thankfully it was only out for less than 10 minutes or it would have been tough.  Even more thankful that it happened after my coffee brewed.  

That on the left is a pizzelle Peter & the kids made last night.  Goes great with coffee.

The kids took their day off from school seriously.  They told me they didn't want to go anywhere today because they wanted to "relax."  Well, so did I thankyouverymuch.  

While it poured all day, we made sugar cookies and then iced them.  So good.  We took a few to our neighbors too.

(One burned Ginger Bread Man lost his leg…kind of like the story…. )

Mission accomplished.  We had an awesome "relaxing" day.

Veteran's Day

Yesterday was the most excellent day.  We hiked with friends at Norris Reservation.  The weather was perfect.   How many years in a row hiking on this day with this family?  I can't remember.  It's a tradition.

Afterwards, we went to our house house for lunch which I am now kicking myself for not taking any pictures of.   I didn't want it to end.  Best day.

Happy Halloween 2013!!!!!!

I forgot to take a pic with these lit up last night:

This gray beauty is my favorite...

 Police Officer & Majorette (one of her dance recital costumes)

Two friends we went Trick or Treating with:  I LOVE that red costume...

Joseph counted all of his candy this morning:  128 pieces.