Bastian in the Snow

Snow Day

Anytime snow is in the forecast here in NC, school is canceled, which is what happened today. Actually they canceled school last night before any snow had come down. We were excited though! It wasn't much snow, but it is the first time Corbin and Bastian have played in the snow. Hero taught Corbin how to make a snowball and then threw it in his face. He cried, but then he got over it (so the picture came out blurry, but it was great nonetheless - try taking pictures with a squirming 9 month old strapped to your front). Hero made a couple of snow/mud angels. That was lovely! Bastian was crawling around and smiling and eating the snow. He was having such a ball! I'm so glad I got video of it too!

Bastian Laughing

Bastian woke up while I was in the middle of doing something, so I sent the kids in to keep him happy until I got there. Hero had Bastian just cracking up! I didn't get the best of it on video. I've never heard him laugh that hard before. What I did get was still pretty darn cute though!

Trying Out the Skates

Isn't it great when a child can get rollerblades for Christmas and try them out for the first time in 70 degree weather in JANUARY! Hero was a little nervous to be heading out onto the pavement for practice, with no furniture to hang onto, but I strapped on my rollerblades and we rolled around together to help get the hang of things.

Trip to Atlantic City

We left the day after Christmas to visit with Dave's family in Atlantic City, NJ. Dave's Aunt Anita lives between the Bay and the Boardwalk there. We enjoyed lots of good food (as always) and good company. Dave's parents drove up Christmas day and we joined them the next day. We got to hang out with Anita and Connie and got to see Uncle Mike and Jen, who live up there as well.

While there we visited The Atlantic City Aquarium (thanks to Dave's Aunts' treat) where Hero, Dave and I fed the stingrays and sharks. Corbin, our timid one, didn't touch; he just watched. We also held starfish and pet horseshoe crabs. We saw a large sea turtle, an enormous Moray eel, seahorses and many other beautiful sea creatures. What fun!

Dave and I also had the opportunity to go out for dinner on our own. That was also very nice! Since Bastian was having sleeping issues while we were there (he was still running a fever the first two days and was sleeping in a new place), we were missing out on our traditional evening strolls along the boardwalk in the evening after the kids were in bed. It was very nice of Dave's family to watch the kids so we could go out dinner! The kids got to enjoy shrimp and crab pasta while we were gone.

We had a wonderful, safe trip and enjoyed coming home as well!

Christmas Day

We enjoyed a nice quiet Christmas Day at home, although poor Bastian was running a fever all day and was not very happy. Santa brought Hero some rollerblades, Corbin, the Nightwatcher Ninja Turtle and Bastian some puzzles. Aunt Megan came over in the afternoon for a little while and then we enjoyed a simple meal, as we were going to be traveling the next day.

Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve, Dave's parents came over and exchanged gifts before they left for Atlantic City. We all had fun eating dessert together and opening gifts. The kids also opened their new pair of pajamas. We read "Twas the Night Before Christmas" and sprinkled our reindeer food on the front porch. Hero and Corbin both had their own pile of reindeer food on the porch. Unfortunately the reindeer only saw one of them, so we think the reindeer might have been too full to eat both piles!

Visit to Santa - December 22nd

We braved the mall the Saturday before Christmas and stood in line to see Santa. We have a great Santa at our mall and couldn't miss the opportunity for the kids to see Santa this year.