2010, Out With a Bang!

For those of you outside of the northeast, we're just getting over the last blizzard of 2010!
The snowfall began late Sunday afternoon and continued through the night. When we woke up, Trenton's first thought was: "We have to dig out the baby Jesus!"

And so he did.

He got a new pair of snowpants for Christmas, but for some reason, I didn't buy him a pair of snowboots yet. Many thanks to Grandma who came up with the idea of putting three pairs of socks on his feet and stuffing washcloths into the bottom of her own boots, so that T could walk around out there.

The menfolk worked together to clear off the cars and plow the driveway. Thank goodness for snowblowers.

And sleds. Oliver loves his sled. I'm so glad I remembered not to put that in storage...

Fun to see my boys enjoying the snow in the backyard just as my brother and I did many years ago...

Here Trenton makes one of two attempts to sled down the back steps of the deck. Really, though, there was too much snow. A very dry snow-- not great for packing, and we didn't make a snowman (yet). I'd say we got about up to my knees (18 inches?) but it is hard to tell. The winds are blowing it everywhere...

Christmas Afternoon, 2010

With two tired kids catching catnaps in the car, we headed off to Mountain Lakes to spend Christmas Day with the Wilson side of the family. Above, Oliver shows Great Grandma the Elmo Kinex box. Below, Trenton's reaction to a Lego set featuring emergency vehicles.

And then we ate. Ollie loves Carolyn's orzo dish. He's eaten it twice more as leftovers since this day...

Below, Chrysanne, Dino, Bryan, and Trenton.

Showing off the holiday marzipan-- a snowman shape this year!

Oliver with his first big Elmo toy-- this one plays the guitar and shakes while it sings.

That evening, we travelled back to Holland Twp. for more Christmas festivities. Below, the boys open a gift from Uncle Jay-- their own kid-sized billiard set! Trenton LOVED his Bakugan toys and Oliver is learning to build high towers with his new blocks.

A very Merry Christmas!

Followed by a blizzard!

Christmas Morning, 2010

Ahh, the Christmas that almost wasn't...

Latest update: our buyers have changed the closing date three times. At first, they were adamant that we move out two weeks after our contract was signed (Dec. 13th)... but lenders and lawyers and paperwork held all of that up. Our plan always was to move all of our stuff into storage and move in with my parents prior to Christmas. The house was depressing without decorations or a tree, and the boys were clearly getting antsy with so many boxes around.

After putting them to sleep on Christmas Eve, I went to the 'hiding spot' to find the 'stash'. Lo and behold, the stash was sparse-- more than half had accidentally been carried into the storage unit by mistake! You can imagine my panic-- here it is, 8:30 at night, I have three gifts for each kid, and after driving around town, all of the stores are closed. What to do other than bawl?

Hark! Is that an attic full of used toys we hear?

Jim spent an hour getting the Masters of the Universe and millions of Lego pieces out of their dark hiding places. Mom and I sorted out all the magnets, crayons, broken pieces, etc from the Legos while Jim wiped down the action figures. The bags that they had been stored in were completely disentegrated. But the toys were still perfectly functional! Mom graciously gave us all the gifts she had purchased for T's birthday in February, and suddenly, it appeared as though Santa could pull off Christmas delivery after all.

And then, they awoke. 5:58AM, to be exact. Had to physically hold Trenton back in the hallway until everyone was awake and ready with the cameras.

Christmas morning, 2010 from Sheryl Konopack on Vimeo.

Unwrapping gifts is some serious business.

The boys with their favorite gifts of the morning: Hot Poppin' Popcorn Wiggles DVD and a box full of Lego men, horses, and other animals.

The Spiderman costume was a big hit. Note to shoppers: try going to Target three days after Halloween to get the 80% off deals...

And Oliver had to taste each piece of candy until he found one he liked...

Christmas Eve at the Lacinas

Horseies!

We opened presents with Grandma and Grandpa Lacina on Christmas Eve morning. Highlights included a grocery cart for Oliver and T loves his kazoo. By mid-day, Len and Tiffanie joined us. Below, Trenton shows off his "first pet"-- something that is like a Sea Monkey, called Triops? (Can't wait to try that one!)



Trenton was ecstatic over his new marble tower play set.

Oliver got his very own tent!

Everyone spent time assembling all of the new toys.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas, Jingle Bells!

This is the cutie pie pretending to be Santa and singing one of his favorite Christmas songs, Jingle Bells. Enjoy & Merry Christmas!

Ho, Ho Jingle Bells! from Sheryl Konopack on Vimeo.

That's Trenton and his friend Rachel. They've been buddies since they were babies-- one of the first people we met when we moved to Howell! Below, they sing a song about a snowman who grows and melts.

The present is covering his huge smile. He was happy to see Santa, and thrilled about the gift-- Whack-A-Mole!

Now begins winter break, which is nice, as we could use a few less trips to Howell. T is counting down the days until Christmas and can't believe that it is almost here.

Trenton's Class Sings from Sheryl Konopack on Vimeo.

First Snowfall, Last Time On the Front Lawn

These were taken one night last week... A bit of snowfall and we were all suited up and ready to go! Both boys swept the flurries that had accumulated off of the nearby cars in the parking lot.
We are now currently living with my parents in North Brunswick but hope to return to Howell, in our new home, late January!

Bye-bye, first house!

Gingerbread Houses

A holiday tradition; this year, we opted for the Gingerbread Village. Five buildings, lotsa candy. We plan to do the others next week.

This is what Little Man was up to, ever so quietly. Playing with shoes and gloves.

We present to you: "chalet" and "bakery". Would it have killed them to properly capitalize the titles?
Like he cares.
Merry Christmas!

Meeting Santa, 2010

Needless to say, things have been busy.
House is almost totally packed. Working hard to distract children so as not to get them overly upset.
Spent time at a holiday party last weekend where we met Santa. T was thrilled! Oliver waved. A lot.
Getting Christmas cards out this week. Completing the move this weekend. Will be staying with my folks for at least a month.
Then-- on to the new house!