Happy Birthday, Sweet Girl

This post is way overdue, but I am finally getting around to posting some pictures from Carly's Princess Party. It was not the typical "bash" I've been known to throw, but it was just as much fun (I think). Carly invited two of her good friends (asked to come dressed as a princess) and they enjoyed some princess-y things...

Even some real princesses came...
Thanks ladies for being such good sports!

I can't believe how quickly another year has flown by. You are such a beautiful girl inside and out and you bring such joy to everyone who knows you. I love you, Carly-girl!

Carly 4 Year Book

Click here to view this photo book larger

10K Training

running tights...check
jacket...check
180's...check
iPod...check
sneakers...check
gloves...check

I guess I don't have any excuses! My first 10K training run is tomorrow morning. I'm a little pumped, and a lotta' nervous! First time running outdoors. 2.6 miles. I hope I can do it. Ready or not, here I come!

My Sweet Boy

TC has had an exceptional week thus far. He has had great behavior at school, he's been polite at home and non-argumentative, and just absolutely delightful to be around. I must share something that happened this morning...
After he was dressed, we went downstairs to discuss what he wanted for breakfast. He decided on yogurt. Since this is something he can prepare by himself, I allowed him to do so while I ran upstairs to help Carly get dressed. After Carly was dressed, she and I began to walk downstairs. As we glanced into the kitchen we caught a glimpse of Connor. It had to be the sweetest thing I've seen in a long time. He was sitting in his chair, hands folded in his lap, with his yogurt opened in front of him on the table. Next to his yogurt was a folded napkin with a spoon on top. Across from him, at Carly's spot, there was an opened yogurt with a folded napkin and spoon on top.
He had taken it upon himself to prepare Carly's breakfast and was sitting waiting for her before starting to eat his own.
He is a pretty sweet kid...sometimes...no,most of the time! It is moments like this that I need to remember.

Projects

With the craziness of the holidays behind me, I've had lots of time to sit in my chair wrapped in my Snuggie (yep...got one for Christmas and I LOVE it!) on the laptop revisiting my favorite blogs. It's been great, and I've created my own list of projects inspired by them. Wanna' see what I hope to be up to in 2010?

Is this the coolest way to display photos? I LOVE it and so want to do one for myself. I'll be on the lookout for an old door...anyone got one? Check out the complete list of instructions here.

I think these ornaments are the cutest. I may have to make them for Christmas...already planning ahead :) Here are the directions.

Speaking of Christmas...these may be on my "To Do" list as well... I think they'd be a great gift for any holiday really.

Off to go find some more projects. What's on your list?

2009...A Year in Review

The year begins with Carly's 3rd Birthday

A BIG snowstorm in March

Connor's first formal day of skiing with Daddy

The boys went to their first Monster Truck Show

Our niece, Julianna, was born

A cold Easter on Long Island...we changed out of our sweatshirts and jackets for this family photo, and FROZE!

Connor turns 5, and we celebrate Wall E style!

My Mother's Day garden...a labor of love

Connor and Carly amazed us all with their swimming abilities

July 4th on Long Island

Our first Yankee game at the new stadium

Outer Banks fun with our neighbors

Boating on Lake Anna with the Hudsons

Back 2 School Bash...a definite annual event!

Our first campfire with our fire pit, complete with s'mores and ghost stories

Julianna was baptized

Annual trip to Virginia Beach for the Neptune Festival

Connor starts Kindergarten!

Carly goes to Preschool!

Halloween Party

Charlotte and Wilbur

Thanksgiving on Long Island

SNOW! (while we were on Long Island before Christmas)

Our best Christmas ever!

We're looking forward to all that 2010 has to bring!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Christmas Fun

The time of year that I enjoy most has come upon us, and with it comes the hustle and bustle of cookie-making, shopping, parties, visits with Santa, list-making, more shopping, "light-seeing", and all the other activities special to this time of year. We are currently visiting Matt's family in New York, so I found some time to slip away and blog...something I have missed. So, although this won't be a full blog post, it will give you a glimpse into our lives and what we have been up to lately.

Last weekend, we drove to Dillwyn, Virginia to board the Santa Train - something I have been longing to do for quite some time after hearing about it. The drive took us a little over 1 hour and 20 minutes and the train ride itself was about 40 minutes...20 minutes one way and then 20 minutes back. During the first 5 minutes, the train stopped to pick up Santa Claus. He spent the first half of the trip in the first car, visiting with each and every child - in their seat. He wasn't too "jolly" nor conversational, but after some prodding and encouragement, Connor and Carly shared their wish list with him. Connor decided that he'd write Santa a letter when we got home because he didn't have time to share his entire list during the visit. Although Matt and I weren't all that impressed with the event, we know the kids had a great time and enjoyed it immensely.

Connor and Carly both had their Christmas parties in school last week. The highlight of Connor's party was the Christmas Tree decorating contest...human Christmas trees! The Legendary Santa made his annual visit to North Run and allowed all of the children to sit on his lap and share their Christmas wishes with him.

'Tis the season...