Merry Christmas 2015

Let vacation begin

Last day of school is PJ day and then its vacation for the next 2 weeks! Bring on Christmas ( and the BABY!!!)

38 weeks per my 8 year old

Christmas mode

We have toured Christmas lights and eaten enough Christmas cookies to gain approx 5 lbs each.  Presents are wrapped. Kids are crazy. We are officially ready for Santa to make his mysterious visit.

Nairi's first Nutcracker viewing

 We have been taking Keira to see the Nutcracker every year since she was 3 or 4 years old. We started out watching the local production and last year watched the Boston Ballet's version. This year Nairi was deemed old enough to go and we headed back to Boston. She loved it and asked me questions every 2 seconds about what was going on and the costumes and the lights and the fake snow. She was very cute.

 The Boston Opera house is super close to Boston Common so we headed to the park for a bit afterwards to check out the playground and watch the ice skaters and see some of the sights and sounds of the city. There is always something so fascinating about a big city like Boston or New York when  its not your day to day view.

The newest reader in the house

 I am a big reader myself and Keira loves to read so I am excited to see the world of reading open up to him.

2 year old coloring

He is crazy good at coloring! He does it with precision just like puzzles. He is funny because his fine motor skills seem better than his gross motor skills. Outside he falls alot, isn't that good at climbing and refuses to pedal a bike. Funny kid!

35 weeks with #5

 This is what 35 weeks looks like when you are on baby number 5. I got my first " Is it twins comment on Sunday"

Most of the baby stuff is ready. Diapers have been purchased, changing table has been set up, teeny tiny pink clothes have been washed and put into drawers.  All that is left its the last min stuff like installing the carseat and setting up the crib and swing and bouncy seat. We are all hoping for a Dec baby but seeing that I am due Jan 5th its more likely we will get a Jan baby.

Christmas Decorations 2015

The advent wreath is on the table, the chocolate calendars have been started. Christmas lists sent to Santa.

Nesting Nesting Nesting

No pregnancy is complete without some house projects. This is the "old" dining room that we are turning into a mini adult living room.  ( I say adult because we also  have the family room which is much bigger and a great room but its also full of toys) We redid this room when we moved in ( so 4 years ago) but we figured we would go with a new color and some new furniture. Brown is the old color

New color. There will be more pictures when we get the room finished ( furniture, accessories etc.)

Some big expensive projects to cross off our list

Mike is off medical back rest but these were projects we were going to hire out anyways. Not something he can do by himself and too time consuming.

 Windows!!! We had some rotting ones from before we moved in. We hired someone to replace the 10 windows in the front.  They new ones are great. So clean and clear and easy to open and close and should be alot more efficient.

 And the most expensive project to date. A new roof. The roof was original to the house ( 1992) so it was time to be replaced.

 ^^^^ these 3 pictures are before and the ones below are after. Doesn't look much different except old shingles were gray and new ones are black or charcoal colored.

Halloween 2015

 Israel as Darth Maul ( Star Wars)

 Samuel as Olaf, Nairi as a Dragon/ Monster and Keira as Laura Ingalls from the Little House on the Prairie books

Jack of Lantern

Oct 18th first snow

 It was only a flurry but it was enough to cause excitement. It "snowed" for about 5 min and then everyone insisted on going outside to play in the falling snow even though it was just a flurry.

We also had out first fire of the season because brrrr 30 and 40's feel so cold when its been 70/80/90 since May/June.

Its a wrap on the soccer season

They were so excited to receive their first ever trophies.

I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers- Anne Shirley

 Its fast and fleeting so we are doing our best to soak up as much outdoor time as we can before the cold settles in.

Dear Israel as you turn 6

 You were our first son. Its been a big year for you. Starting Kindergarten and playing soccer for the first time. You are so full of love of life right now and its great to watch. You go go go all day long and then crash at bedtime ( usually after yelling at daddy and I that its so unfair you have to go to bed and why do you ALWAYS have to go to bed???) You love Legos, Ninjago and Star wars. You wanted a Ninjago birthday but we couldn't find all the stuff to go with that theme so we did Ninjago cupcakes and then Star Wars decorations. Soccer would be your other love right now. You get ready quickly for school in the am's and head out to the driveway to play soccer while you wait for your ride to school in the am's. You were also introduced this year to computer games and like to play Star Wars games on the Ipad when I let you.  You had your first mohawk haircut this summer and although I made you shave it off before school started you tell me all the time that there are kids at school with mohawks and you want yours back. There are also boys at school with earrings and can you have an earring??? ( The answer is no by the way)  You still love mowers, watching the landscapers and big trucks.  You and Keira fight like crazy but you get along pretty well with Nairi and Samuel. You enjoyed going camping with daddy this year in June and didn't really enjoy VBS. You are hoping to do soccer camp this  summer. You remain our skinniest little chicken at just 36 lbs at 6 years old.    We love watching you grow up!

 His reaction to seeing his Kylo Ren costume.

 Where are my presents??? :(

 Lots of chili

 cornbread