Yonker Christmas

Yonker Christmas was at my mom's house this year and as usual, it was a very full and packed house. We had lots of fun opening presents, eating food, talking over each other and getting excited for our upcoming trip. Always a very fun party!

Not an open seat in the place.

Gavin waiting his turn for a present while Auntie Sue yucks it up next to him.

Finally he got one!!!....and it was Uncle Kyle's! Oops!

Here we go....firetruck heaven.

How many kids can you cram on one lap?

Austin's snuggie.

Syd, up from a nap, discovering her play zoo toy.

Sitting pretty.

Syd's turn to rip the paper off!

Gavin was THOROUGHLY enjoying Bea's new drum set...much to the displeasure of our ear drums.

Two kis in a box. Super creepy.

Syd's trying to free Gavin.

Gavin's new outdoor lawn care tool set. How many tools can a kid have?

Capping off the night with a kids' rendition of 'Jingle Bells.'

Party's over...work to be done...Gavin's a "big helper" (says him).

Christmas Playdate

For the third year in a row, we did a Christmas party playdate with some mom friends and their kids. Just as in years past, it proved to be lots of fun, quite chaotic and way short on mom "catch up time." The kids all exchanged gifts and we enjoyed a yummy potato soup made by our host Lisa as well as a variety of other treats. Its always fun to get together and celebrate Christmas together!

Gavin was intently playing with Lauris' doll.

Dollhouse play!

Two cuties--Carter & Ella.

Syd--appropriately carrying a babydoll and a dinosaur (and most likely roaring like one too).

This is how much Carter LOVED his present.

Carson ready to rip through it.

Gavin's fun new tow truck!

Best reaction of the day...Elena opening her Barbie!

Spoiled Syd opening her puzzles and clothes.

A group shot!

Yes, these seriously are reindeer cupcakes...made by the fabulous Lisa Karavas.

Yum!!!

Kids Can Do Christmas

Have I mentioned on this blog yet how much I LOVE Gavin's therapy center? They are amazing. Not only is his therapist SO good with him but he is OBSESSED with going to see her. He LOVES her so much. She has all this energy for him and just treats him so special. So at Christmas, apparently Kids Can Do puts on a Christmas party for all their clients and their families. The therapists dress up and they decorate every room and have games and treats and gingerbread house making and even Santa! The theme was Candyland and they had the place all decked out. It was quite impressive. Gavin was SO excited to be going to TT's (Tracy's) party. When we were there and we looked around, it was amazing to see how all these kids love their therapists just like Gavin does....there were so many smiles and hugs. It was pretty awesome to see. Kids Can Do and Tracy in particular are definitely one of our great blessings so in 2010.

Snowball Toss Room.

Gavin & Sydney gearing up.

Ice Fishing (we visited this room a few times, it was a favorite)

Penguin Bowling.

Even Sydney took a turn at this one.

Rooms not pictured: Making Reindeer Food, Face Painting & Christmas Carol Karaoke.

As a side note: Gavin was really excited about the karaoke room and we waited VERY patiently for his turn. We stood and waited while at least 3-4 kids sang and when it was his turn, he got on "stage" in the little room, held the mike and just stood there silent, mouth closed. I sang, the therapist in the room sang...and when Jingle Bells ended and we clapped, he got the biggest grin on his face. As if he really did it. Hysterical.

Santa's lap.

Making our gingerbread house selections.

Starting the process.

Very particular with his placement.

Syd and Daddy hanging out.

So proud of his design (which included window and doorknobs)!

The finished product.

It's the Ears!!

The day after Sydney's first birthday party she started a clear runny nose. It got worse. And worse. Then better. Then worse. For the next 17 days she had some version of a runny nose and cold-like sickness. We took her for a 1 year check up on November 23 and since she was "snotty" were told to come back in two weeks to get her shots. It was then, and finally then when she was no better the Dr. declared - DOUBLE EAR INFECTION! Um, what!?!?

I know this may be small potatoes to alot of moms. But until this point, neither of my kids have ever had an ear infection or needed an antibiotic. Spoiled mom.

So, I'm torn. Sad that she has to go on an antibiotic and secretly wondering...will she be my "ear infection kid? But, I'm relieved and happy--in a few days she'll feel better! Thank you antibiotics for making her happy again.

And its back to the Dr. in another two weeks for those pesky shots.....

A Holiday Night Out

This past weekend we were able to do an ADULTS only night out DOWNTOWN for dinner and drinks with friends. It was SOOOO nice. We went to Italian Village (highly recommended!!) where we had our own little private cove dinner table which was perfect for lots of fun conversation and laughter. We loved spending some quality time with great friends around the holidays. Did I mention it was adults only? We were due for a night out sans kids with some of our favorite people. Yearly tradition. Done.

Our cove and subsequently the hang out place until closing time.

The Thomsons.

The Agemas.

Us.

Love these ladies.

Gavin's First Dentist Appointment

We had Gavin's first dental appointment this week. I guess I should clarify and say first OFFICIAL dental appointment. I had taken him to the dentist around 18 months when we were trying to figure out why this kid kept chewing the inside of his cheeks but in my book, it didn't really count.

This time we did the whole deal. He got checked out and cleaned up. He did GREAT!! He was excited about it and very calm and cooperative. The technician kept saying she couldn't believe he was just 3 from the way he was behaving (proud mom moment or course).

The dentist's assessment: everything looks great, all teeth in and accounted for, we're cleaning great and it there is nothing in his mouth that would ever make him believe he'd had a paci (um, what!?!).

See you in 6 months!!

Getting set with a NEW toothbrush and his sunglasses (aka protective gear)!

Watching a movie while getting cleaned--he eve didn't mind that sucker tube thing.

Seriously, who is this child--must just be used to all those therapists poking and prodding his mouth all the time.

Finally getting the A-OK from Dr. Steve.

Trimming the Tree

We always start out the Christmas season by going to pick out our Christmas tree. Gavin is finally getting old enough where he understands and is having fun with it. He is obsessed with helping ("me help you") and loved putting lights and ornaments on the tree. Such a fun tradition to start with our kids.

Scoping out the options.

Gavin's size tree.

Our final pick.

Watching the guy take it down for us.

Our little helper catching a ride.

Gavin showing Sydney the lights.

Fascination.

For some reason, my kids are always pants-less in these posts. Apparently, decorating in your underwear is the thing to do in our house.

Thankfully, Chad's sparing us from decorating in his.

Checking all the lights.

Final Touches.