See ya later 2012!

The countdown is on...

Aquarium Fun

Every year around New Year's, we go on a family field trip.  This year we decided on the Aquarium in Boston.  We haven't been there since Eli was about 2 so we thought it would be a good time to go back.  Much of it was under construction so we'll have to go back again once it's all open.

Posing in front of the ice sculpture

 

TOUCH TANK!

Eli's ready

 

Seals!

Nemo!

Giant turtle!

Dave's giving this fish a talking to for scaring Natey!

S-B-N

Ben's afraid!!!

He's smiling!

They loved this turtle!

Penguin Time!

This seal was "talking" to Eli.

S-E-B-N

The seal is painting!

 

After the aquarium, we headed over to Quincy Market/Faneuil Hall for lunch.

This tree is taller than our house!

Eli getting a fortune from the statue guy.

Ice sculpture!

Ice sculpture!!!

 

 

Snow means...

Sledding!!!

 

 

The littles at the top of the hill at papa's house.

Ben couldn't get his mittens to stay on.

Sam LOVED it!  He had a blast!

Nate was happiest on the sidewalk

(after a few unfortunate whitewashes).

He did go for a spin in a sled for a bit.

Eli couldn't get enough

(even though it was 21 degrees and the wind was INSANE!!!)

Daddy & his boys

Bye Bye Binkie!!!

Our boys are HOOKED on their binkies. We never had this problem with Eli...he's a thumb man. So we researched and researched and came up with a plan. From what I read I found it was going to be a long process that involved many sleepless nights. We decided we would conquer the beast on a week when I didn't have to go to school in case of extreme sleep deprivation.
We'd read about a variety of methods in including the binkie fairy, having Santa or the Easter bunny take it away, tying it to a balloon, or even giving to the cat. We decided to go a different route...we sang the "bye bye binkie" song and threw them in the trash.

That was it.
We did it at nap time on Tuesday.
And
we
haven't
had
a
problem
since.
It was weird. No crying. No screaming.
Nothing.
Every once in awhile they ask about it. And then they drop it.
Not that I wanted drama, but I was just expecting more.
It's ok. I'll take it!

Bye Bye Binkies!!!

Chop Sticks & Shirley Temples

We got a groupon for one of those hibachi places and we had to take the kids since it required at least 3 people to use the coupon. The chef was good with the kids so that was a plus. They were a bit scared of the fire but got over it when they saw their rice!

Look who's a pro with his chopsticks and can eat rice like a pro with them!!!
Mr Natey-bug!!!

Christmas Morning!!!

Yay!  We couldn't believe it when we woke up before the boys!  It was a bit touch and go though because Eli had to go to the bathroom at 6:30.  The issue is that we have 1 bathroom which is downstairs past the tree.  Dave carried him through the living room with a coat over his head so he couldn't peek.  At the first squeak, we went right in to get the munchkins.

Sammy's ready to go

Natey doesn't want to get up

Eli's more than a little excited

Ben's out the door

Coming down the stairs

Opening the door

Stockings

Presents

Stocking time

Train Table

Opening their gifts from Eli

(racing cars aka Lightning McQueen)

Priceless face

Climbing on Dada

Train Table

Eli was in charge of pictures at this point...

another Eli pic

Family PJ picture

Dave-Nate-Eli-Sam-Renee-Ben