Pool Time

Jonathan wasn't too sure at first...

But then splashing daddy was fun!

Andrew wouldn't even get dressed for swimming at first.

Splash!

getting closer to getting in!

Trying to get a picture of the boys sitting together on the steps.

Last weekend, Grandma and Grandpa had an Auctioneer's Convention at the Airport Hilton. We took advantage of their overnight stay and borrowed their swimming pool. The water was the perfect temperature and the boys had a great time! Andrew wasn't too sure at first about getting in, but after watching the fun his little brother was having, he was ready to jump in, as long as we were near to cling to! Jonathan had no fear, which was a little scary at times when he would jump off the edge expecting us to catch him. And of course we always did! Everyone slept very well that night! The boys were so tired when we got home that they didn't even want us to read books. They just went straight to bed!

Outside at last!

little rock collector, looking like a homeboy

"Stop taking my picture! I'm running away!"

another homeboy

We had warmer weather last week and so we played outside! Finally! They did not, however, hold still long enough for me to catch many decent pictures of them! But they ran off some energy and got some fresh air, and really that is pretty priceless!

Christmas in Boston - Last Day

This was Grammy and Grandpa's house before Christmas. By the time we got there, a lot of the snow had disappeared.

Ben and Andrew playing with the Cars GeoTrax while Jonathan reads books.

Cate and Dave reading some books.

Jonathan and Andrew in the airport in Chicago during our layover. Thank God for portable DVD players! Look how tired these poor kids are! We woke them very early that morning to catch our 7 am flight. And they did great on the flight home! Such good little travelers.

Christmas in Boston - Day 4

Evan, Ian, TJ, Jonathan, Stephanie, Evan, Andrew and Megan
Playing with cousins

Stephanie and Jonathan

Christian and Jonathan
(Christian is about 6 months younger than Jonathan, but they are about the same size.)

What a cutie!

We had dinner with extended family and friends one night at a family-style chicken restaurant in Woonsocket. The kids ran and ran and we ate and ate. Fun times for all!

Christmas in Boston - Day 3

Andrew and Ben watching some TV

Before the Lobster Feast!

Lobster!

The kids had cheese pizza.

We were treated to a delicious dinner of lobster one night. The kids weren't as excited about our dinner plans, so they had cheese pizza. Poor things. Someday maybe they'll learn to eat what is yummy!

Christmas in Boston - Day 2

This is probably my favorite picture from the whole trip! I don't remember exactly what was said, but the expressions are classic and priceless!

But then the boys needed attention and the moment was gone.

Trying to catch a picture of the three boys before more gifts were opened...

Ben opening his Bladestar, remote-control helicopter, while Andrew and Audra watch.

Block puzzle that makes cute animal sounds

Dave trying on his balaclava or baklava, as I liked to call it.

assembling the Bladestar

Checking out a new Cars book

Coolest wooden puzzle train ever!

We all slept in Sunday morning, recovering from our long trip, then had a leisurely breakfast and lunch and put the boys down for a nap. When they woke up, Audra, Dave, Ben and Cate had arrived and it was time to open more presents!

Christmas in Boston - Day 1

This was the scene looking out our window on the airplane in Chicago. The storm delayed us a few hours because they only had a few runways open. By the time we landed in Boston, we heard they had closed all the runways due to the storm, so we were happy we made it out!

Andrew made this trivet at Home Depot. Keith stained it, but Andrew helped glue and nail it together.

We didn't waste much time after we got to Grammy and Grandpa's before we started opening presents!

Jonathan got a Jr. Tag Reader

Cars GeoTrax for Andrew - a HUGE hit!

Jonathan trying to carry Keith's nail gun. It was pretty heavy for our little muscle man to move.

On Dec. 26, we flew to Boston. We had an early flight - 6 a.m., which was painful if you know me, but we probably wouldn't have made it to Boston that day had we not flown out that early. There was a snow storm in Chicago. They were supposed to get 1-3 inches, but I think they got that in the two hours we were delayed with more snow falling as we took off.

The boys did great on the plane and were so excited to see Grammy and Grandpa! We got to Boston with no problem, but we can't say the same for our luggage. Three of our four suitcases made it, but our 4th bag and two car seats were lost somewhere in Chicago. And we thought we were super smart and shoved our coats in the car seat bags before we checked them so we wouldn't have to carry them through the airport. Fortunately, it was in the high 30s in Boston so we weren't too cold and the airport had loaner car seats. And by the time we woke up the next morning, our bags had been found and delivered to our door step!

Instead of focusing on our lost bag and car seats, we opened Christmas presents! And then had dinner and early bed for our tired crew. We had to rest up before the Fleurys arrived the next day!