January 2017

On January 4th, Rennie & Associates had a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony with the Chamber of Commerce. Everyone that came enjoyed the catered event and the kids loved the big scissors.

On January 7th, Christine & I took the girls to the pop-up American Girl Store. We wanted to take them before the store closed at the end of the month. Grace & Evelyn got their dolls ears pierced and they each got an outfit and some accessories.

The weekend of the 14th - Jocelyn (my BFF from TX) and her family came up for a visit. We fit in quite a bit during their stay. 

We did the incline, took pictures at the top of Mt. Washington & ate at Primantis. The last day, Tom cooked and we just sat around the fire outside (while the kids played in the basement).

Look at that view

BFF's

The kids got along great!

On January 20th, Tommy got to celebrate his summer birthday at school. He chose to take in Steeler's cookies and drinks. We also used a dress down ticket so he could wear his jersey.

The weekend of the 27th, we went to 7 Springs for some tubing and swimming. The kids absolutely loved snow tubing (so did the adults) and the swimming was just a little too chilly for us - so we only stayed close to an hour.

New Years Weekend - 2017

This year, my parents came up over New Years weekend and we celebrated Christmas/New Year's with them.

My dad loved the present Grace picked out for him

Grace LOVED her American Girl doll

Tommy was excited for his 2nd Christmas of the year

Tommy did a good job on Grandma's gift

Tom was excited about his new golf club (well money to get one)

On the 30th, Tom and I went to a wedding (one of Tom's friends from college).

We had a pretty low key New Year's celebration. We just went to dinner at Primanti's and then stayed home the rest of the night playing games and watching the ball drop.

Game night

Cheers!

Christmas Season

This Christmas season was a busy one for us.

We kept up our annual tradition of going to pick out our tree (on December 7th) and heading to Primanti's for dinner.

Cold night for picking out a tree

Decorating time

It was Tommy's year to put the star up

 Grace goofing off at the mall

Tim took the kids to see The Nutcracker at the Palace on Saturday, December 11th.

Rennie & Associates had their Christmas dinner at Sunset Cafe this year. It was as good as always and everyone had fun with the gift exchange.

We celebrated Christmas morning with presents and mimosas. The kids loved everything they got (if you can't tell by the pictures.

Sprinkling Reindeer food so Santa could find us

Grace was so excited about her new desk & chair

Tommy was excited about his XBox

 

Polar Express

On December 2nd, the 4 of us went to Ohio to ride the Polar Express.

Sydney Crosby (our elf) brought tickets for all of us to go. The kids just watched the movie the week before and they couldn't wait to go on the train.

Tickets and jammies from the elf

Once we were all seated, the train headed to the North Pole. On the ride there, elves passed out hot chocolate and chocolate chip cookies, while Mrs. Claus read the story to us.

Waiting to start our journey

Following along with the story

Looking for Santa at the North Pole

On the way back, all the kids sand Christmas carols and Santa Claus came to visit each kid and handed them a bell at the end of the conversation.

What a fun evening!

November 2016

November was a busy month for us.

On November 7th, Grace had a Girl Scout badge ceremony. She had to recite the pledge and even held the flag during part of the ceremony.

 Grace getting her badges

November 18th - I took the kids to go see the Trolls movie. We all liked it so much, that we went to Target after the movie to get the soundtrack.

My parents came up for Thanksgiving this year. My mom was happy because it was cold and even snowed some while they were here.

Goofing off at the airport

Tom working hard in the kitchen

Since I knew my mom would be here, I signed up the all the girls (Grace, Evelyn, Christine, Diana & my mom) & Tommy to go to this Princess breakfast on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. The daycare was holding at a firehall and the kids loved it.

Prince Charming