Had to share these pictures of the latest addition to the McGovern family.
Aunt Jen and Uncle Dave surprised the kids (and Lori and I) with a pet tortoise for Christmas. The yet to be named Russian tortoise has been camped out in Grandma and Grandpa’s bedroom for the past few days.
I’m trying to decide if a pet monkey or a pet alligator will cause more havoc in the Chonowski household someday.
Ready to party!
Every year The Heritage Foundation throws a fabulous Holiday Party that our kids look forward to from the first day of Advent! They get to wear their new gowns (and new jackets this year!). Brendan wore his little suit, but he was too busy and wouldn’t stand – or sit- still for a photo. Of course we were too busy eating and talking to take any pictures at the party. This one was taken at our house before we left. I thought the girls would be most excited to see Santa Claus (who makes an appearance every year with Mrs. Claus and big bag of goodies!) but they were really looking forward to… the chocolate fountain! Yes, in true “Agnew” fashion, they remembered sweet delicious fondue fountain where they could dip treats and fruit all evening. Oh, joy!
Therese is THRILLED with this weather!
The snow is taller than Brendan in some places!
Smiling in the snow
Daddy- professional shoveler
Mommy
The front walk
That large mound is our van- AFTER being cleaned twice by my husaband!
View of Mason Street
Mason Street the other direction
The lampost
Where is our house number?
After reading The Legend of the Candy Cane and discovering the significance behind this classic Christmas treat, we found a little inspiration from Elizabeth Foss and decided to try homemade peppermint marshmallows. I don’t really like marshmallows and I LOVED these! I couldn’t stop eating them- plain, in hot cocoa, even in my morning coffee!
Myriam (dressed in African garb!) unwraps peppermints
The kids were hard at work unwrapping the mints while I set to work in the kitchen.
The bowl slowly fills up
Marshmallows are forming
One in the hand... one in the mouth- no wonder he is so happy!
The marshmallows before final formation
Letting them set
Time to salvage the remains
And enjoy!
So lickable!
Even the toddler gets some peppermint sugar!
Homemade marshmallows on homemade hot cocoa
You can find the recipe here for the yummy yummy marshmallows. You will not be sorry if you try these- and they are easy. So worth the temporary sticky mess!
Brendan is thrilled to be painting
Therese concentrates on her candy canel
Myriam painting ornaments
Brendan gets some painting tips from Nan
Nan and the kids
Nan came down to visit this past weekend and have an early Christmas celebration with the kids because we are heading to Indiana this year and she won’t be with until the New Year. We had a splendid couple of days (despite a rough start in her travel… a flat tire early in the journey) and the kids were sad to see her go. (As was Mama, since Daddy was on retreat this weekend and it is SO nice to have company when he is gone!)
She wanted to build a gingerbread house with the girls. Needless to say, the building was far from flawless and there were many yells of “It’s falling!” and “Catch that roof… it’s sliding again!” as we were constructing the cottage. We were laughing so hard we were crying at one point. Here are some pictures, but they don’t do justice to the hilarity of the event.
What is that contraption?
Trying to fix the roof
Decorating
Beginning to look festive!
In addition to the Gingerbread house, Nan surprised the girls with early Christmas presents that included new dresses and…
Therese is delighted with her new coat!
Unfortunately I couldn’t get Myriam to pose with hers, but is is gorgeous. I am sure it will show up in future Christmas posts. They wore them the next day to Mass, but it was raining and as I was flying solo (no husband to help and Nan had already returned to Philadelphia) I didn’t think about the camera.
Thanks, Nan, for a wonderful time and beautiful, thoughtful gifts!
Therese and Myriam with the Jolly Old Elf
We met Santa at our parish’s Christmas breakfast after Mass today. The girls were thrilled to whisper their hopes for Christmas into his year (Therese wants a book and Myriam wants a doll- this sums up their personalities pretty well!)
Smile in his eyes... cinnamon donut in his mouth
