1.02.2011

Oma and Opa Part II

Still posting about December...

My parents were scheduled to leave the 27th so we spent the day after Christmas in the snow at Topstone Park and Weir Farm two place we had not made it to and wanted to show them.
Hiking at Topstone Park

Oma and Opa
Enjoying the snow

Keeping Toasty

Some help from Opa

Touring Weir Farm

We wanted to send them off with a memorable meal and accomplished that by purchasing "Larry" a live lobster.


Hudson and Larry
 We decided to give Larry a few last moments of freedom before he became dinner.  Also needed to get pictures of and with him.
Annabelle and Larry

Larry after his bath
We woke the next morning to more snow and the news that airports were closed and my parents flight was cancelled.  Good news they were at our house and not stranded at the airport, "bad" news the earliest they could fly out was the 31st.  We took advantage of the extra days with them and for the most part stuck close to home.

My mom was able to spoil the kids more and made sure Annabelle got the sled experience

More time with Oma in the snow


That works so much better

View from inside

View from Outside

Oma also got them 150 more balls for their ball pit


Opa got more cuddles



Sam and myself got some time alone.  We went out to dinner while my parents stayed with the kids.



This is what we came home to
We fit in one more "tourist" activity and went to Keeler's Tavern

Our Tour Guide
Annabelle at the end of the tour

Early on the 31st we said goodbye and Sam drove them to the airport. Their trip home went smoothly and they actually arrived early.  We loved having them here for the two weeks and look forward to their next visit, hopefully in nicer weather.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

We quickly got into the holiday spirit here as December arrived.  Annabelle and I went on a mommy/daughter outing to our town tree lighting.  We had  a cold, fun time.  The high school choir sang carols, the Lions provided hot chocolate and cookies, and Frosty and Rudolph were there to hand out candy canes.

 
Annabelle and Frosty


Annabelle and Redding Town Tree

After getting home and warming up we started to decorate our own tree,

Very carefully hanging ornaments

 got out our stockings

Silly Girl

and decorated a gingerbread house


Placing the wreath
On one of our many trips to Stew Leonard's in getting ready for Christmas we even got a visit to Santa in.


Cow sleigh at Stew's




It wouldn't be Christmas without a family picture in front of the tree.




The finished product
Front Window

Tree with Gifts

Stockings ready to go

December

December quickly came and went and along with it 2010.  It was a busy time here like anywhere else, and again I got behind on keeping everyone up-to-date.  So with the house fairly picked up, no dishes, no laundry and two kids sleeping I'll see how far I get on the posts I intended, but never got to until now.

1.01.2011

Oma and Opa Part I

We were blessed with a visit from my parents for what turned out to be two weeks around Christmas.  The kids were spoiled, mommy and daddy got a bit of a break, and Oma and Opa got to see a little bit of the East Coast.

Annabelle had a long list of things to do while they were here and got through it a couple of times...here are some of the pictures:

Visiting Frog at Library
(Know if you visit us you will get a picture with The Frog)

Hudson and Oma (going through pictures)

Dunkin Donuts
(Annabelle happily got everyone a donut out, but tried each one first)
Bath Time with Oma and Opa (mommy break)
I told her to splash away while they were here

Sleeping in her princess tent
slept at the foot of Oma and Opa's bed the entire visit

Taking Oma for a walk at Yale


Hanging Out

Making Cookies
Something my Mom and I have done together the past few years
glad she was able to be here to roll out the candy cane cookies again.

Little Baker

Drive up to Litchfield County

When in Litchfield Annabelle most excited by the dancing Santa in the window

Nativity in Bethlehem, CT
When she got back to me "Mommy, I touched Baby Jesus"


BK a must with Oma
She is drinking ketchup here

First BK crown
Serving them in celebration of their 34th Wedding Anniversary

The evidence of their anniversary "dinner"