Mom's birthday was 'sweet'!

 For Mom's birthday, Mike, Mom, Dad, the girls, and I traveled to Hershey Park on Tuesday.  Mike and I got Mom a massage at the Hershey spa.  While she relaxed, the rest of us walked around the Hershey Hotel...the only hotel where brown is a very acceptable color!  :)  This is the girls out back on the "Cinderella Steps".

 Heading back in after feeding the fishies...fish.  "No more Maya!!!!"  Then it was off to lunch and then to Troegs Brewery - very cool!

 Leaving Chocolate World.  Cally was so happy; Maya wanted no part.

 We finally made it to the park, but Maya had to get her nap in.  :)

 I can't upload the video, but this is a view from up top the skyline drive ride.  We caught the musical light show just in time.

 The first ride Cally went on by herself...

...which prompted the braveness in her to take on the helicopter ride.  She is the second highest one.  We got her to pull on the lever to raise her up.  She had a huge smile on her face the entire time and was so proud of herself.  "I'm so brave!"

 

Such a fun day!

Smiles (and scowls) for 2013

The Griswold's hard at work?

Early December Fun!

12/2/12 -  Fun at Morris Arboretum with Holly, Steve, and Benton!

The train display was a whole bunch of Christmas, and what's this?  Is that a Menorah?  A Hanuakkah house!  :)

 Good times!

 12/4/12 - Center City, Macy's light show

 After walking through the Charles Dickens Village...instead of a picture with Santa, we got a picture with this cool dude!  :)

 The girls were so good to and from the city on the train!

Fairy Fashion show in the evening.  Cally said that she was Tinkerbell and Maya was Periwinkle.  :)

 

 

December has started off to be an exciting month!  This past Sunday, the girls and I met up with Holly, Steve, and Benton to see the holiday train display at the Morris Arboretum.  Today, the girls and i took the train down to Center City to meet up with Pop-Pop (Mike's Dad).  We went to Macy's to see the Christmas light show.  This brought back memories.... Aunt Linda and Uncle Pete took Kelli and me out to the city when I was in middle school for dinner and to see a sympony perform a Christmas concert.  One stop was the same Christmas Light Show, which was performed in the same building but was probably called Wanamakers at the time...

 

Christmas Light Show
Christmas Light ShowIn 1956, the Philadelphia Wanamaker's premiered a Christmas Light Show, a large musical and blinking light display several stories high, viewable from several levels of the building, but with the best viewing on the central ground floor. Its popularity with Philadelphia parents and children, as well as tourists, ensured a continuous run, even after the building was sold to different business interests.
For decades, the "voice", or narrator, of the show was John Facenda, known to Philadelphians for decades reporting the news on radio and television. To American football fans he was the original voice of NFL Films. His voice made "Christmas in the Grand Tradition" come to life.
The Wanamaker Light Show is continued today by Macy's, who is actively working on its restoration. Beginning in 2006, Julie Andrews became the show narrator. Also, the Santa Express Train at the top of the Grand Court returned in 2006, while a brand new "Magic Christmas Tree" will return in 2007 and holographic projections of the old fountains will return in 2008...

 

 

...I remember thinking how cool the show was when I first saw it.  Today, I thought I heard Julie Andrews narrating it; I was right.

 

Good memories yesterday and today!


Happy Birthday, Cally!

Cally turned 4 today!  She had a wonderful day!  We went to the Camden Aquarium, then to Chuck E. Cheese, and then back to our house for chocolate chip cookie cake (because Cally only eats the icing on actualy cakes).  Cally celebrated the day with family and friends.

The Gift of Cousins

Words can't describe the joy I felt when watching Cally, Maya and Jake play together this past weekend.  Cally started off by having Jake "chase" her.  Jake crawled like a little maniac trying to catch up to her!!  She was just too fast....one day Jake...one day.

I wanted to try and get the first picture of the three of them together....but as you will see below, the pressure was just too much for Miss Maya.

 

But the best part was at the end of the night.  Cally told Shauna that she can't wait for her and Maya to grow up with Jake.   Knowing all of the fun I had and still have with my cousins....I know Cally is in for something really special!

Happy Halloween!!!

 Visiting "Uncle" Steve

 Township Police Officer handing out candy

 Professional trick-or-treaters in training.  Maya held my hand as little as possible.  "I want to walk, Mommy."

 

Another fun Halloween!!!!!!  My favorite holiday!!!  When I got home from work, I quickly put the Halloween 'lawn decor' back outside that we brought in from the storm.  Then, it was a fight with the girls.... "If you don't eat your dinner, then you can't go trick or treating!!!!"  (I had visions of dinner on Halloween from childhood - chasing my candied carrots down with milk....shiver...of all nights mom!!!  :)   ).  Maya won the dinner eating race including her broccoli; what a champ!  Then, it was off to my co-worker, Steve's house.  The girls had a tasty treat while I downed a nice cold beer.  We returned to our neighborhood.  Mike gave out candy while I walked the girls around.  They were so excited.  3/4 of the way around our court, the girls decided that they were finished.  They were either tired or... wanted to go home and eat their candy.  I am glad that we still have our power after Hurricane Sandy.  We were able to light up our lights and play some Halloween music.  And the coolest part of all was being able to see the moon towards the end of the night!  Good times; good memories.  Happy Halloween!!!

Excited for Halloween!!!

Here are our jack o'lanterns!!!  Cally drew the face/hair of the one on the right, and I cut it out.  It took me FOR-E-VER to complete Cinderella as the blade of my pumpkin cutter totally broke off only a quarter of the way through the first one!!!!

We made it through the storm!

We lucked out last night!  Our lights went out 3-4 times for a few seconds each.  I stayed up until about 3 a.m. because I was nervous about our sump pump.  It worked hard through the night and luckily never had to use the back up battery.  Mike got his 'Gordon Fisherman' on to take Otis for a couple of short walks last night.  Looks like Halloween may still be on for tomorrow night!!!

Chip says "Back off boy!"

Not only is Jake fascinated by Chipper....he is now fascinated by his food and water bowls.  Chip was not too happy to have Jake staring him down while eating.

Happy Halloween !

Aunt Carol's Artwork

Jake's Baptism

Here are some pics after Jake's baptism yesterday, which included a little holy water up the nose.   Ashley is his godmother and Sal's brother Fred is his godfather.  A nice day!

Outdoor time

 

 

 

Jake and I spent some time outstide this afternoon, while I took down my potted tomato plants.  Fresh air did him good....been asleep since 6:30!

Fall Happenings Already!!!

I looooove the fall!  End of summer never saddens me because my favorite season follows.  I put my fall/Halloween decorations up Labor Day weekend so that I can enjoy them as long as possible!!!  :)  Mid September, the girls and I went to my friend, Holly's, annual work party at a picnic area in Phoenixville.  It is fun for both adults and kids!  Last night, Mike, the girls, 'Grumpa', and I met at Shady Brook Farm for their Fallfest.  What a blast!!!!  Thanks for coming out, Dad!!!

 Girls just got their faces painted.

 Dancing to one of their favorite song by Gotye ("Somebody that I Used to Know"); when we walked off, Maya told the DJ..."That was a good song."  :)

 Family picture in photo booth this year!!!  LOL

 Blast from the past!   2011 'Family' picture!!!!!

 Fall Fest at Shady Brook Farm.

 

 

MMMM....Bananas!

 First taste of bananas....not too sure about it.

 

 Still not too sure...

 

Not bad, give me more!!!

Happy Birthday, Maya!

Maya turned 2 today!  We had a nice get together with family at the Morris Arboretum.  We love you, Maya!  Love, Mommy, Daddy, Cally, and Otis