The Week Before Christmas

Our Christmas season started on Wednesday, December 16th.

My parents came to town that  afternoon and as soon as I got home from work, we headed out to Grace's Christmas Program.

Her class sang a couple of songs from Polar Express. Grace was so cute during Rocking On Top of the World. She was the best dancer up there. :)

Friday, I was selected to volunteer for Tommy's Christmas party at school. It was a lot of fun watching him interact with his friends and put a face to the names. :)

Saturday, we celebrated Christmas with my family. We had a nice dinner (ham, baked beans, cheesy potatoes and rolls). After we cleaned up, we all ran to the front room to open presents.

The kids did love everything. I had to laugh about something Tommy did though. When I handed him a gift that looked like it might be clothes; he bowed his head and said a prayer "Please don't let it be clothes." Haha - it still makes me laugh thinking about it.

I think Tommy's favorite gift was his wrestling ring from Aunt Kimmy & Adam. He also opened some wrestlers, clothes (haha) and a new bike. Grace loved her shopkins and the Peppa Pig Schoolhouse - plus she got a couple outfits and some Barbie things.

Showing some love before presents

Grandma & Grandpa

Mommy & Daddy picture

Grace slowly opens presents...

While Tommy rips into them (I LOVE his face)

I wish I took a picture of the poop pillow we got my dad!!

My mom loved her new outfit (and Kendra Scott necklace)

Tom was pumped (and so was I) to get hedge trimmers & a Lowes Gift Card

I was busy taking the pictures but Tom still managed to get one of me opening my gifts, but my parents got me some new fitbit bands, some Estee Lauder face cream, Alex & Ani bracelets and a couple other things.

I took my parents to the airport bright and early Sunday morning (we left our house at 4:00 in the morning). I stopped to get Dunkin Donuts on the way home and slept for a little while once I got home.

Around noon - we met up with Christine, Eddie, Evelyn & James for the Children's Christmas party at the club.

Tommy did okay with Santa - James didn't like him

I had to sit with Grace

Family Photo

Rennie & Associates Christmas Party

On December 5th, Rennie & Associates held their Christmas Party at the Ligonier Country Club.

Tom and I on our way out the door

Since our group was one of the bigger ones, the club gave us the front room. This year the offices split up and it was nice hanging out and talking to everyone.

The food was really good (and so were the appetizers - especially the mini crab cakes). The dessert was okay - not the best.

After dinner, we had a Christmas exchange. This year, were was a lot more stealing going on than last year - so it made things a little more interesting.

After the gifts, everyone stayed for a while to listen to the band and do a little dancing.

Thanks Rennie & Associates for another fun Christmas party!

Decorating the Tree

Last Wednesday, the four of us went to Wilkinson's Nursery to pink out our tree. It was drizzling a little on the way there, but cleared up by the time we got there - so we just had to deal with the cold.

The kids were excited to walk up and down the rows of trees to find the perfect one.

Tom went to talk to the guy about which one we wanted and the kids and I went to stand by the fire for a bit.

After that, we headed inside so the kids could enter the coloring contest and get something out of the treasure bin.

On our way home, we stopped by Primanti's for dinner (one of our traditions). It was too late to decorate that night, so we did that together on Thursday night.

Grace got to put the star on the tree

November 2015

November was a pretty busy month for us.

The week of November 16th - Tommy was the VIP of his class. We made a poster with lots of pictures that he got to get up in front of the class to talk about. He was so excited about it and loved the pictures we picked out for him.

On November 21st, we attended the Pengiuns game. We did head to Pittsburgh early so we could eat dinner at Burgatory before the game.

That Sunday, we headed to the club for dinner and ended up taking some pictures of the kids in front of the Christmas tree and fireplace. I was hoping to use some of these pictures for our Christmas card, but they were all a little too dark.

My parents got in really late the night before Thanksgiving (thanks Tom for picking them up). The kids were so excited to see them the next day!

We had everyone over for Thanksgiving. Tom fried 2 turkeys and everyone enjoyed the nicer weather.

Christine and I looked over the ads.

My parents and I went out Thursday night and did some shopping (Walmart, Target & KMart). I was able to get most of the things on my list (mostly for Tom's work party).

On Saturday (the 28th), the 6 of us went to Pittsburgh for Peppa Pig. Tom and my dad went to a bar down the street and my mom and I took the kids to the play. We did have good seats and the kids loved it!

Playing with Peppa and George

On Monday night, we went to Ligonier to take my parents to Carol & Dave's Roadhouse and to take a few pictures in the diamond (again they were a little too dark).

Happy November!

Halloween Festivities

Tommy's school had a parade of costumes on October 30th. I was able to make this one (Tom was able to go to make both), since it was at 8:30 in the morning. Tommy looked like such a big boy marching in the hall.

So handsome

He had already changed out of his costume by the time we made it to class.

On Saturday (the 31st), we met Christine, Eddie & their kids at the club for a Halloween Party. The kids had fun decorating pumpkins and watching the live animal show outside.

Elsa & an astronaut

Elsa & Anna

Our township sets the time you are allowed to trick-or-treat. Our time was from 5:00 to 7:00 and I made sure to get a few photos before we headed out.

We only went down our street and a couple houses on the main street in our neighborhood (probably 10 - 12 houses total). The kids did make out with some good candy - and since Tommy doesn't like chocolate - I felt obligated to help him eat it. :)

Tom went back a little earlier than us to hand out candy. He had moved our heater and fire pit to the driveway so we could hang outside.

Tommy had to take a break from the walk (we have hills and long driveways in our neighborhood).

Grace needed a snack to keep her energy up.

We didn't have a lot of kids come to our house, but the kids did have fun running around the driveway and helping me hand out candy to the kids that did come!