On the Homefront

Therese with her sled

Way overdue pictures of adventures in the snow…

Brendan takes a taste

Going down our "massive" hill in the front yard

Our tiny bump of a hill seems to be enough to keep them entertained.  Perfect for a mama who is content to stay in the house with her nursing/sleeping baby.  Mama also likes preparing yummy hot treats for the busy sledders!

Scooping up some more

Stopped just in time Mom!

They definitely crashed into the van a few times until I decided to move it.  The new sleds are much faster than these small ones that we have used for the last few years.  I think Aunt Jennifer and Uncle Dave were thinking we would be attempting some larger hills when they purchased these!

So happy in the snow

Brendan decides to take a break

Myriam in her new tutu

Myriam was SO excited about her first dance class last week.  And she was all decked out in this fabulous tutu that Uncle Pat and Aunt Erin gave her for Christmas.  Luckily the class is through the county programs and not a studio with a strict dress code.

Practicing her arabesque

Therese and Myriam

I know I am late putting up photos from our trip to Philly.  There is so little time for the computer these days- which is actually just fine with me.  That means we are busy enjoying life and each other.  However,  I know that grandparents and aunts and uncles like to stay connected to our kids through the photos I post.  I will try to be more diligent over the next few weeks.

Uncle Mike and Brendan, Lori and Monica, Therese, Myriam, Tim, Nan, Pat, Erin and Avery

Brendan on his new bike

The first lesson was a huge success.  I am so excited!  I love to skate and cannot wait to have the girls going with me… I plan to get a sitter a few times over the next few weeks so I can attend the open skate sessions with them.  These pictures are not that great, but I wanted to share.  They both had so much fun and despite falling several times, there were smiles at the end of the lesson.  Myriam came running out saying, “Didn’t I do great, Mama?”  I love that confidence!

Mr. and Mrs. de la Pena

Bridget and Ray tied the know this past Saturday surrounded by immediate family and close friends.  The liturgy was beautiful and the joy of the couple was palpable.  In this picture they are wearing traditional wedding leis that Ray’s parents brought from Hawaii.  These pictures only capture a few special moments of this amazing day.

Stephanie, Julia, Lori and Gina

My lovely friend Gina hosted a long overdue get together for some girlfriends this past Sunday.  It has been too long since we have all gotten together.! It was the perfect afternoon for cookies and coffee and chatty- cold, wet and rainy outside.

Julia and Gina's adorable son, Tommy

Julia and Tommy, Stephanie and Monica

Jennifer, Lori and Karen

Aunt Jennifer wanted to bring in the big 3-0 with a bang so she planned a big trip to Philadelphia for the Army/Navy Game.  We were lucky enough that she and Uncle Dave flew through DC so we could have a morning to celebrate with her.  (Her actual birthday is November 19th, but this was her weekend to celebrate!).  These are photos of her belated birthday brunch at our home.