Mom's 65th Birthday

My parents were here for a visit and we were able to celebrate my mom's 65th Birthday! The kids were over the moon to see them and Uncle Mike!  Here are some pictures from their visit.

Grandma and the Polish Mermaid

Mom & Dad

(the best looking 65 year old!)

 Grandma, Pop and the NC grandchildren

 Mom, Dad, Theresa, Mike and me

Thomas warmed up to mom once she brought out the rice pudding :) He even gave many hugs and kisses over their visit.

Pop and Sammy

Family & Snow

My sister has moved to NC!!  We are very happy to have my sister Theresa and her family in Cary.  We went to see their new house and have dinner and then on our way home saw our first (and probably only) snowfall of the season.  The kids were so excited to see it and when we got home, they ran right outside to see it.  It was short lived as Aniela says "I'm freezing hungry!"

Hanging out on the couch

Okay ... it was more sleet than snow :) 

but the grass is covered now!

Christmas Day!

We woke up and Santa had arrived!!! The kids were very excited to see he had eaten his cookies and left them presents. We opened Santa's presents then headed up to Dave's house to open presents from Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Jill and Uncle Joe.

Sam loved the paper!

Very excited about her Princess Castle!

Cars Race Track was a big hit!

 

Getting the fire ready for Christmas with Pop

Helicopter was his favorite gift of the day

Putting Uncle Joe to work drilling

Testing out her new makeup on Aunt Jill

Cutie pie!

Christmas Eve

We traveled to Pennsylvania for Christmas.  We had an easy ride and the kids were very cooperative.  But everyone was happy when we arrived.  Pia and Aniela picked up right were they left off and were best buds all weekend.  We had our annual hot dogs & marshmallows on the fire for Christmas Eve.

Sammy happy to be out of his carseat after 12 hours!

 

The girls ... Aniela, Tela, Pia, Mira and Eliza

 

 Been a long time since there have been 6 kids under the tree!

Paul, Mira, Aniela, Sam, Pia, Thomas

Setting out Santa's cookies and milk

Thanksgiving Trip

We headed to PA on Tuesday and stopped at my college roommate's new home to spend the night. The kids had fun playing and we loved checking out her new house. An old barn converted into their home! It was beautiful! The 7 hour trip ended up taking 11 but the kids really were good in the car.

Heather and I 17 years later!

Then we traveled another 2 hours to finish our trip to Moscow! Aniela, Thomas and Sam were so excited to see all their cousins and play around. They loved visiting with both their grandparents and were sad to leave all the excitement. We have a lot to be thankful for this year and were happy to be home to celebrate with our families. My parents also celebrated their 33rd wedding anniversary over the weekend.

Fun with Uncle Mike

Mira Belle and Aniela painting Pop's nails!

Some of the great grandchildren with Dave's Grandma ...
She is 101 years old and turns 102 in April

The second annual Thanksgiving tea party

Paulie and Sammie! Almost exactly a year apart!

The trip home ... Thomas was busy coloring for at least half of the 11 hours!

Sam's Baptism

Sam was baptized this weekend at our church. We were so blessed to have our parents, Aunt Diane and Uncle Bob and all of our friends surrounding us during the ceremony. He did great and didn't make a peep while he was up front.

Baptism Weekend

Loved having our families here to visit and celebrate Sammy's baptism. Sammy was very good and everyone got some time to cuddle him. Of course, Aniela and Thomas were over the moon with all of the attention!

One of my favorite pictures ... love my mom!

Pop and Sammy

Great picture of Grandpa and Aniela

Sammy and Grandma

We also celebrated Dave's parents 40th wedding anniversary!

Delicious cake from Twisted Fork!

Some cuddle time with Aunt Diane

Theresa's Visit

Aunt Theresa, Jenna and Ryan came up from their Myrtle Beach vacation to spend tome time with us and to meet Sammy! Unfortunately it was 105 degrees so we spent all of our time inside.

Cousins

Jumping Beans

Can't believe she is about to be ten! And almost as tall as me!

Siblings

The best I could do ...

Birthday Weekend

Grandma, Grandpa and Aunt Jill came to Raleigh to celebrate Aniela's 4th and Thomas 2nd birthday. The kids had a great time with them and we ended the weekend with a party at jumping beans.

Sammy and Grandpa

Thanks for the hoop Aunt Jill and Uncle Joe

Aunt Jill and Sammy

Awww

She loved her umbrella and boots from the Midhas