Snow?

Yes, it snowed! 16-18 inches of snow fell and made for a lot of shoveling (not by me, of course) and excellent conditions for sledding.

We all have our favorite parts of the snow. Jason likes to shovel, the boys like to make and throw snow balls, and I like to sit inside and look at the pretty snow. There is one thing we all enjoy - sledding. Something about sledding makes everyone happy and leaves Jason and I feeling like little kids. It really is fun. We have a hill here that makes for some awesome sledding. Time to enjoy this snow and this last winter in NY.

After years of living in these conditions he could be an expert snow shoveler!

Jase is ready to go back down the hill again and again. And again.

Cole loves this. The excitement is written all over his face!

The snowy mess in housing.

Sweet sleeping boy. A day playing in the snow is exhausting.

Stay warm and get out and play in the snow. :)

Merry Christmas

Wow! I cannot believe Christmas is here already! This year has gone by much too quickly.

We kicked off our Christmas festivities by being spontaneous. Who says you can't be spontaneious with two kids?! On Christmas Eve Eve we threw a change of clothes and some diapers into a bag, jumped into the car, and headed South on the Garden State Parkway. We made it to our friends about 9:00 that night, spent a few hours talking, and hit the hay. The guys were up before the sun on Christmas Eve. They spent the morning in tree stands hoping to get a big buck. The girls stayed home with the kids baking Christmas goodies and playing some Wii. After a trip to the best Costco ever and some lunch, we loaded up (minus a big buck, or one of any size, for that matter) and made the drive back up the GSP to get home and get ready for Santa.

Having good friends to spend time with during the holidays makes being away from family a little easier. Time spent visiting with friend over a cup of coffee (or a margarita!) is the best.

Once we made it home we relaxed and got everything ready for Santa. The world's best (according to Jase) red velvet cupcakes and a glass of milk were left for Santa and carrots were left for the reindeer. After the boys were in bed, mom and dad aka Santa's helpers, scurried around the house trying to be quiet as mice getting everything together and put into place. Success.

This morning I could not stand it...the boys did not wake up early. It was killing me. Really. Finally around 7:30 they woke! They were so excited to see what Santa left - they tore into everything. It was the best. Jason and I just sat back, watched, and took pictures and video. The looks on their sleepy little faces were awesome! After playing Wii all day long, it was time to get ready to have friends over to our house for Christmas dinner. Christmas dinner was a joint effort (thankfully) and was delicious. After dinner it was game time! The adults kicked the kids off the Wii and had a friendly game of bowling. Another awesome time with friends!

The house is quite, the kitchen is clean, and we are waiting for the snow to come. I hear it's supposed to be a lot. We'll see.

Hope you all had a Merry Christmas and enjoyed those you spent this time with. I know we did. :)

Country in NYC

Imagine, if you will, the following words being spoke in the most country, most backwoods southern accent you can think of. Thanks.

While the little wife was home baking and lookin' after the young-ins this is what the man of the house was doing...He went out fetched us some grub! We was so proud!

Betty Crocker In The House

I've been on a little break from school and have had a lot of time on my hands. This past Monday was the beginning of catch up; time that I will spend catching up on all things neglected since, umm, since whenever. Actually that is not what this post is about. This is what this post is about...

Sweet deliciousness!

Yes, I made the above items all by myself and no, not from a box! The chocolate chip cookies I have done many times in the past but this batch was hands down the best I have ever made. The red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese frosting was my second attempt. The first was made almost 3 years ago in which I failed miserably. Those went into the garbage before anyone had the chance to grimace. The second attempt was a success. Fantastic!

I do not want to come off as being boastful but maybe I do just a little. You see, I don't cook and I sure as heck don't bake so these two successes deserve to be bragged about. The boys loved the goodies and I felt a little special each time Jase told me "mom, you make the best cookies/cupcakes in the whole world"! Cole did not have time to say much as his mouth was full - his frosted covered smile was reward enough.

Betty Crocker better watch out once I am done with school...just sayin'!

Macy's Santaland 2010

So glad we went Macy's to see Santa. So happy that Cole sat on Santa's lap without screaming hysterically. Yay Cole. So excited that I took the boys into the city via ferry and subway by myself. Go me. :)

Christmas Program

Today was Jase's Christmas program at school. He practiced his line for weeks and spoke it with ease today. Of course, mom and dad was so proud of him!

After all the cute little kiddo's sang Christmas songs and said his and her line, a reception was held in the nursery school room. The kids and their friends and families feasted on cupcakes, cookies, and a variety of sweet sugary snacks. It was the best! The teachers were given gifts and hugs and sent the kids on their way for a nice, loong Christmas break.

It's amazing how much more Jase participated this year than last year. A year makes a huge difference. At 3, Jase said his line but barely sang a note. This year he sang and even did some of the hand motions - last year hand motions were nonexistent. Almost brought a tear to my eye. Almost. What kind of mother would I be if I didn't get a little choked up at the sight and thought of my oldest child growing much too fast? This moment passed as my youngest child brought me back to reality with his escape tactics...he wanted to get up on stage with his Bubba.

Anyway, the next Christmas program for Jase will be a kindergarten Christmas program. KINDERGARTEN. What?? Ok, I must put an end to this post as I am reminded that I must start planning his 5th birthday. Oh my goodness...time flies and my children are growing up much too quickly. Going to take a trip down memory lane now but first got to grab a box of tissues.

Breakfast with Santa

The Coast Guard kids and moms and dads were treated to an early visit from St. Nick. We got up bright and early to make it to 8:30 breakfast and wait for Santa to arrive. The kids were excited when Santa made his entrance - they quickly lined up to tell Santa their Christmas wishes and pick out a gift. This was a special treat for the kids provided by the CG MWR and the veterans from a local America Legion Post.

Cole tore up some pancakes but took a second to smile for the camera!

Finally, it was Jase's turn to visit with Santa. Jase stood firm on his story that he was a good boy all year long and he requested a red Wii and a Zhu-Zhu pet from Santa. Should be easy enough for Santa to deliver.

Cole was up next but he wouldn't speak to Santa without backup. Could this be because of his guilty conscience?! Or is he truly scared of the man with the white beard? Whatever reason Dad and Bubba had to be within reach so we could get a picture of the boys with Santa. Cole asked for a Zhu-Zhu pet and just smiled mischievously when asked if he had been a good boy this year.

I leave you with a family shot with Santa and this: my request for Santa. Dear Santa, please do not bring the boys an abundance of Zhu-Zhu pets. Not sure this mom can handle a slew of motorized, squeaking hamsters running around my house. Thanks.

Merry Christmas!

Waiting

I find that I am doing a lot of waiting lately. Waiting on children to wake up, go to sleep, and waiting on them hand and foot. I wait on the husband to get home and I wait on him to leave. I am waiting on those Christmas purchases that were made online all because I hate, hate, hate, entering an actual store this time of year especially a store on Staten Island. And the biggest wait of all right now: waiting on orders. Transfer orders that is.

Our time in New York is quickly coming to an end. The past 28 months have been a blur and the next seven months will come and go much too quickly. Could it be that I, the person who with every fiber of my being did not want to live here and wanted to move immediatley after our first drive down Bay Street, have an inkling of a desire to stay? I think I can finally say the words "I am not opposed to staying here." There I said it. Out loud for all to read. It is a possibility that we could stay, not likely but a possibility.

I told myself and Jason and a few other important people in my life that I was not going to be anxious and stress over wondering and waiting for the day to come when the recruiter delivers the news of our new location. From this post it make seem like I am anxious, we'll call it excited. Talk me to in April if we still have not received orders and my excitment just may turn into anxiety and stress.

Waiting...