Cayman Christmas part 2

 Dave hard at work :)

 Dad and Michael on one of their many walking adventures...

 Reading Santa's response to her letter.  She was not happy that he didn't tell her how he uses his magic or how reindeer fly....  He said that some secrets just can't be reavealed.  She says that next year she will ask in person so he has to answer..  Hahaha!

 There is a good feeling as a mother when your child opens a package of waxy string from grandma and gets this excited :)

                                                        Thanks Grandma!!!

 Em checking out all of the sea glass she found

 "Michael just smile for once" 

My handsome little man... :)

Cayman Christmas part one...

Alot of little boys get to at some point in their lives sit in the cockpit of an airplane, but how many get to be Daddy's co-pilot midflight???  This right here is one happy, and very lucky little boy.  He eventually had to give the seat back to the actual co pilot..  reluctantly...  and then sat in between their seats for the rest of the flight :)

Em, you want to give it a try???  Nope, I'm good right here playing hangman with Mommy...  wouldn't want to be near all of those buttons and bump the wrong one (her words)

Finally at the condo...  nothing like Disney shows you shouldn't be watching, fold out beds and bananas at 11:00 pm.  Let vacation begin!

This is what I woke up to the first morning :)

6 am sandcastles :)  Pure joy for my little man..

Em held out a little longer.  At least the sun was up when she came out :)  Nothing like the beach in your PJ's

Michael basically played with sand for the whole vacation..  He loves to dig!

The Dolphin Pool.  Beldive it or not, the water was pretty chilly.  We didnt swim as much as I thought we would.  They were so happy to just be goofing off in the water.

Oh Christmas Tree... Indian Hill Tree Farm

I dont' know how we found this tree farm tucked behind a mental hospital on a hill, but every tree is perfect.  All of them.  I'm pretty sure I went once with Dave and my Dad which is why I think this place makes me so happy.  My Dad loved Dave and the feeling was mutual so those memories are precious to both of us. 

 I'm pretty sure I was asking Dave what kind of man sits at the tractor and talks to the driver while his wife cuts down the tree at this point :)  The "tractor guy" is the same guy every year and he always asks Dave about flying.  Every year they agree that they will go flying..  it has yet to happen but no one seems to mind. 

I told them to pose next to the tree...  ummmm...  wow...  :)

Although a blurry picture (oops..  it was a bumpy ride) I always love seeing the joy on Michaels face when he gets to go for the tractor ride.  I really do love this place...

Giving Thanks

Last year we went out for Thanksgiving with Dave's mom.  We decided that we enjoyed it so much that it might just become a tradition...  This year we brought along Grandma and Aunt Cindy too.  The food was great and Thanksgiving was stress-free!!!

 The Kids were so cute wanting to take a picture with everyone at the table (except for me of course :) )

Emily and her Grammy

The famous Aunt Cindy!  She is somewhat of a celebrity as she was for my brother and I growing up.  I'm so glad my kids get to enjoy her as we did.  She always has some funny face, funny noise, or not so funny joke.  We love Aunt Cindy..

 I like Thanksgiving.  It is so nice to have a day to just focus on what is important and only that.  To thank God for where we were, where we are, and where we are going.

This has also become a tradition.  The Christmas card shot on the anchor.  This was right before Michael crushed his fingers while swinging from that big hook in the background. Good times :)

 Me and my Big girl who acted like and angel, said Grace for us and continues to surprise me... 

The Smoking Vocano... (From November)

I got slightly carried away with this one :)  It was so much fun to make and even more fun to see the look on his face :)

Thanks Dad for driving to Wallingford the afternoon of the party to get the dry ice!  And thanks to the ice man, who was not open, who left the ice out in the cooler and told us to slide the money under the door...  Some businesses are still run the way they should be :)

Michael, slightly excited about his new Thomas track...  Happy Birthday Big man...