Christmas in NJ

Even though it required a plane ride this year, we still trekked to NJ for Christmas with the Anderson side of the family.  The kids were super-excited to pull their own suitcases and get on a plane to NY hoping to get a glimpse of the big tree from the plane (we flew via LaGuardia).  Bill and I were so busy trying to get our stuff down the aisle of the plane that I didn't realize that the kids weren't following us until I turned around and panicked to see that they turned left and walked right into the cockpit! Thankfully the crew were super-nice and let Isaac and Caitlin hang out and check out the plane.  It might have been a bribe to get him to stop asking questions (Isaac asked what EVERY button did), but after a few minutes they gave Isaac and Caitlin their very own wings and sent them very happily to their seats.

When we landed in NY, Bill revealed that he planned a surprise night out in NYC for me - Broadway show (Once) and fancy dinner (Babbo) included - with help from his parents who met us in the city and took the kids home and my dad who was out of town but let us stay in his apartment (and got the tickets!).  I was totally surprised and beyond excited and we had a great night.  The kids had a blast too, staying up late and having breakfast with Santa Clause!

The next day we met up with the rest of the family and headed down to the Shore to see Grandma Jo and Uncle Jim and Rox.  The kids got to spend a fun night with Grandma Jo and their cousin Sara (babysitter-extraordinaire) and we got to have another delicious dinner with the grown-ups at Nicholas that beat Babbo hands down!

Then it was back to the Andersons' house to get ready for Christmas! Instead of a ginger bread house, this year Grandma got the kids a GingerBread train station, which they LOVED decorating with Grandma and Aunt Ray-Ray who showed impressive patience with the numerous attempts to eat the decorations :)

After the houses were done, the mess continued with Isaac and Caitlin helping make Christmas cookies for Santa. 

Finally, after all the preparations were done, it was time for Christmas Eve dinner with the whole Anderson Family.  The kids got dressed up and waited patiently to open the first round of presents, which were (as always) plentiful.  After presents, we ate a DELICIOUS dinner and had a really nice night. After being allowed to stay up extra late, the kids got into the holiday PJs and put out cookies and milk for Santa and carrots for the reindeer and finally turned in once I convinced them that Santa could still come through the chimney if the fire was burning :)

Rach, Bill and Grandma Jo did "zoolander"

The kids were super-excited to wake up and find the milk and cookies and carrots all gone and the living room overflowing with presents!! This really was Isaac's face when he walked in :) In their Christmas pajamas, the kids were camouflaged and almost lost amidst the gifts! They made out like bandits and we all had a wonderful day opening gifts, putting together and playing with new toys and eating more delicious food and just hanging out having fun.

Grown-ups continued the merriment after bedtime :)

On the 26th we headed back to Colorado, but due to the winter storms that hit the northeast, our flight was delayed by more than 6 hours. Thanks to the wonders of all things Apple and the gift shop, we were able to entertain the kids until takeoff and then we all slept the whole way home! Overall, it was a great Christmas for all of us!

Getting into the holiday spirit

After Thanksgiving we went in search of a Christmas tree, assuming that Colorado would be a great place to hunt for our own.  I did some research to find a cut-your-own tree farm, and we jumped in the car with the kids and Evan and Adrienne to find it.  Although we met the most authentic looking Santa I've ever seen there, the "tree farm" was a joke -- someone brought a couple dozen Christmas trees that were already cut down and re-planted them in shallow holes for customers to re-cut.  Kinda funny, and we might have gone for it, but they were too small...so we ended up getting  a 9 foot tree at Lowes.

the kids were relatively unfazed by Santa, but were instead more interested in the candy canes

Isaac running through the replanted trees :)

Caitlin getting a ride around the farm from Uncle Evan

No clue why one child always seems to be naked in our house - but they had a blast climbing on the ladder and helping Bill decorate the tree while singing to Alvin and the Chipmunks singing the Christmas song (the favorite this season that we will be happy to miss until next year).

Isaac was meticulous about placing ornaments in the right spot (like his Daddy)

I found a really cool website that you could create a personalized video message from Santa to the kids and they ate it up.  You can choose the narrative, right down to whether the kids made it in the "good book" (Isaac and Caitlin both got a "you made it, but need to try harder to be nice to your sister/brother next year to make sure you get in again") and which reindeer personality they most resemble! It set the stage for us to bring out  the Elf on the Shelf (named Lusa this year!) and start the countdown to Christmas.  



The kids woke up every morning excited to see where the Elf landed - this house had a lot more fun hiding spots than our rowhouse on the Hill!

Hanukkah

Every time I get used to the format of this blogger site, they change it! Oh well, I'll adapt, sorry if the format is off.  Hanukkah fell on the early side this year and we had lots of fun celebrating all 8 nights with the kids (who definitely did not need 8 more presents!!).  We were blessed to have my grandmother travel from Delaware with my dad to spend a few days with us, and it was priceless and really fun to have them there for the long weekend.  Their first night in town, we had everyone over for Chinese food (who knew PF Changs was so versatile - catered to our needs for Gluten Free, Kosher and yumminess!) and then on Saturday we had everyone back for latkes, brisket and presents.



We had lots of menorahs (each of the kids brought their own)



Best latke maker ever!!

After dinner the kids had to cover their eyes and wait patiently for their first gifts



None of the kids were disappointed with their gifts, but Isaac and Caitlin were particularly excited with their very own John Deere which they insisted on driving around the property before bed (and haven't stopped coveting since!)

Isaac and Caitlin helped me bake Hanukkah cookies for Isaac's class. A little overkill on the sprinkles, but they were a hit.  We brought them in and read books to the class about Hanukkah and Isaac loved showing off his train menorah and telling all his friends how he was going to get 8 presents BEFORE Christmas!

 

The next morning we had another fun Hanukkah party at Kristin's house for brunch, more latkes, family fun and presents!

The kids loved lighting the candles every night, spending lots of fun family time celebrating, and weren't upset about cleaning up in the gift department...

Thanksgiving on Paradise Lane

Papa Rich came to visit for Thanksgiving, which made it even more fun.

We watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade on the big screen (Bill got his way and ordered a new projector to replace the one he begrudgingly left in DC).

The kids were super-excited for their cousins and the whole family to come for dinner.

 

Dinner was quasi-pot luck with everyone pitching in and bringing delicious food.  Bill still spent considerable time preparing and cooked two delicious turkeys in addition to several other dishes.  Although it was less time consuming, my apple crisp was also a success :)

We comfortably fit 19 people, and it was really nice to finally host a big holiday!

And finally, what's a better way to end Thanksgiving Dinner then to have a pool party for all the kids??

Life in the 'Burbs

While there are definitely drawbacks to being in the 'burbs, there are also a lot of comforts that we are all getting used to.  We miss being across the street from Safeway, up the block from CVS and walkable to lots more but it's nice to have the Targets, Whole Foods, and Home Depots (and chain restaurants) so accessible.  Here are some pictures of the kids taking advantage of life in the 'burbs.

                             

                        Isaac has lots of space to learn to ride a bike with no training wheels!


 

The kids honestly beg me to take them to the grocery store so they can ride in the "car cart"
 

Isaac and Caitlin love the community rec center which has an awesome indoor playground and an amazing pool with a lazy river and crazy water slides.

 

Isaac had so much fun getting his hair cut at Lollicuts with the cool chairs, movies and play area that Caitlin begged for a turn (we still haven't caved on getting her a haircut, but allowed her to get her hair styled (she clearly misses Cesi's updo's))

the neighborhood pizza join has a huge outdoor play area AND a homemade ice cream shop on site!

 



climb and run around at the indoor playroom...



At the Flatirons Mall the kids travel in a fire engine...

and get to burn some energy between stores in the $2/10 minute bouncy house!!
 

Another major benefit of being here, is getting to be a bigger part of our neices' and nephews' lives.  Isaac and Caitlin had a blast at Jaden's hockey game (and Isaac has insisted on signing up for skating lessons, which he starts in January!) 

Need I say more?

Got to spend my birthday with my twin and the whole family for a really fun dinner.

Get to meet Grandma Gerri for fun afternoons, like this one where we took the bus downtown to see Sesame Street Live (toss up between the bus and the show for kids' favorite!) 

And we get to babysit baby Sebastian, which is the perfect taste when I have the slightest baby craving

Although the weather hasn't cooperated (it's only snowed twice and some of the mountains aren't even opened yet!), the kids are fully geared up and ready to ski.  They loved getting fitted and set up on their skis and insist on wearing their gear around the house.  Isaac will be in ski school this year, but Caitlin is too young, so she gets the Bill and Evan Anderson school - which she can't wait for!

Caitlin started gymnastics and loves it.  She is reportedly a total teacher's pet and the only girl who will climb up and jump off of anything... great :)

Finally, Isaac has been very busy running free (and biking) all over the property, and recently built himself a fort using stuff he found in the garage and the shed.