New Years Eve Party

We invited over another family to ring in the new year with us - kid-friendly style! I have to mention Jerald's very creative appetizer pictured above - apples and carrots for the new year. Kimberly and Doug and their children Joshua (Seth's age) and Noah (a little older than Justin) came over to party! We had pizza, salad, fruit salad and a very raw cookie cake (Jerald says it was just the way he liked it). We popped open some champagne and fizzy apple juice and counted down at 7pm - then we were all able to go to sleep at a reasonable time since we were going to be up the next day at 6:30 am like usual. It was a great way to say goodbye to 2009 and welcome in 2010!!!

Joshua and Seth deep in discussion...

Noah showing Justin some cool things to explore in our house...

Justin celebrating... Happy New Years!!!

Lunch at Great-Gram's

On our way back to Boston we were so happy to stop by Great-Grams for some lunch, hugs and fun! We were really happy to get to spend some time alone with Great-Gram - she is very busy with her 12 great-grandchildren!!! Whenever we see her we have a great time! After lunch we went to an indoor playspace where we were able to meet up with Great-Aunt Helen and Great-Uncle Les and four of Jerald's cousins children. The playspace was this really cool climbing structure that went up two stories. Seth was a little hesitant at first, but the older boys were so sweet with him and stuck by his side, helping him out until he was more confident. After that, he was off playing high up - laughing his head off. Thanks for meeting us - we had a great time!

Trip to NY

We finally did it! Jerald and I left both kids with Grandma and Pa for one night and stayed at their lovely apartment in NYC. It was wonderful!!! We drove straight from Boston to NYC. Had lunch in the apartment. We hoped to take the boys around the city a little but it was bad weather. So my parents took the boys to Long Island and it was 2:30 pm - Jerald and I looked at each other like "what do we do now?" We took full advantage and went to see the 3D Avatar movie (it was amazing!) then met our friend Cat from law school and her new fiance Eric for a wonderful dinner. After we ended up meeting our friend Marci's new adorable baby Jordana and seeing our friends Brian, Adam and Suzie. We got to sleep in - walk to breakfast and just enjoy each others company. It was a really great present - thanks Grandma and Pa! We got text updates from my Mom and of course the boys had a great time! They did so great - that later in the week Jerald and ducked out again to have dinner with our friends Sarah & Judd who we haven't seen in a year! Yummy and fun!

Back on Long Island - we all went out to dinner and then enjoyed the next couple of days hanging around. Pa had to go to work - but was able to get home to give baths, read books and spend some great time with us.

One of the cuter moments happened Sunday at dinner. I can't remember how it came up - but Pa ended up telling Seth the story of Peter Pan. Seth was so into it that on Monday Pa went to two bookstores and came home with Seth's own copy of the story. They spent the next two nights reading it. So sweet!

It was too cold to do much out of the house - but one day we bundled everyone up and went to the library. It brought back such great memories reading to the boys in the same kids section from my youth.

Grandma was amazing as always - both boys had colds and unfortunately they shared too well with her! Seth and Justin had so much fun with Grandma - Seth cried when we left this morning. We cheered him up with the thought that Grandma and Pa will come and visit us very soon!

Introducing... Zev Matthew

We are so thrilled at the arrival of our nephew/cousin (Jerald's brother Josh's and his wife Sara's first child). He was born December 17th 20.5", 7lbs 10.8oz Today was his bris and we celebrated with friends and family and found out his name Zev Matthew!Here are some of the proud Aunts and Uncles participating in bringing Zev to the ceremony. Nana and then Jerald holding Zev.two proud GrandmasGreat-Grandaddythe proud parents explaining their son's name. For more pictures and an explanation you can check out their blog. We are so happy to welcome Zev to the family!!!

Mohawk

A little hard to see in the pictures - but very cute in person. A little baby oil to help Justin's dry scalp...

Snow Storm!

Crazy snow storm in Boston - 18 inches of snow! Seth was a big help with shoveling.

Laughing

Shabbat Club

Since the beginning of the school year, we have been a part of a 6 family shabbat club. Each month, one family hosts all the others for a pot-luck friday night dinner. It has already become a much anticipated tradition and tonight we took the plunge and hosted for the first time. We put a little added pressure on ourselves since it was the last night of Chanukah. We had a menorah for each family - it was really lovely singing together.

Above is the dinning room set up for the big group... below is my very first turkey (thanks Mom for taking my millions of questions during the day!) I think it was really good.

We fried up over 100 latkes and made Great-Grandma's pink applesauce for the holiday.

Had to include the beautiful salad brought by our friend Sarah - who didn't even stay for the dinner because the rest of her family was sick.

It was crazy, messy, loud but so much fun!!!

End of Movers & Grovers

All good things come to an end - and so comes the end of Justin's Movers & Grovers class. We had so much fun playing with other babies his age and getting some time with just Mommy and Justin to play. We will be back in class soon - Sprouts here we come in the new year!

Chanukah 2009

Hanukkah Party in Sharon

After the Patriots game, Jerald and the uncles met up with us in Sharon where we celebrated Hanukkah with the larger family group. We played dreidel, lit candles, opened presents and had yummy potato latkes and homemade apple sauce (made using Great-Grandma's recipe) as part of a great meal.


Since I don't get to do it for the boys, I had a great time buying dress-up clothes for Becca, as well as knitting her a purple boa. She looked adorable and very proud of herself once she got on her tiara and boa.


It was great celebrating with the whole crew. Thank you to everyone for Seth and Justin's presents and Happy Hanukkah!

Patriots Game In Style

From Jerald: Today I went with my brothers and Uncle Dave to the Patriots game. Fortunately, given that it was raining and cold, we had swanky box seats. The box had seating for more than 30, private bathrooms, free food, a full open bar, multiple television screens - and windows that opened right at the 50 yard line! Not your typical way to see a game (at least if your name isn't Kraft) but an amazing experience if you ever have the chance!

In addition to being a great way to watch the game, the Pats won - they didn't win pretty, but they pulled it out in the end. About 30 seconds after the picture below, they scored the key go-ahead touchdown.


A big thank you to Great Uncle Dave for getting the tickets and to Lauren and the boys for letting me go!