Christmas 2014

We had a really great and relaxing Christmas this year. We went to Nick's parents house on both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Minimal fighting, lots of laughs, lots of eating, and lots of wonderful gifts. It's nice to not have to jump from house to house like many of our friends do. Although I missed my family, it was a bit much to go home this year so I'm excited that my brother and Joe will be coming this weekend and the rest of my family is going to try and visit at some point in January.

Christmas Eve morning Nick stayed with Nicholas so I could go to Lowell Humane Society for a few hours and spend some time with the dogs. I'm so thankful that Nick supports me and gave me the time to do that because it really is the most rewarding experience. Here's a few pics from the rainy morning:

Bennett was ADOPTED TODAY! I couldn't be happier, he is the coolest dude.

These adorable guys are Alfredo, Chulo, and Saint - all are looking for their forever home.

Nicholas still doesn't "get" Santa Claus, but we put out milk and cookies and carrots and spread "reindeer food" on the front porch, it was a cute little craft that Nicholas made in day care and he really liked doing that. I ran out of time so we didn't get to bake the cookies, we just left out good old Oreos- who doesn't love those? I certainly did when I played Santa Claus and ate them.

Christmas morning I video'd Nicholas and he was excited to see everything under the tree. We don't buy him a lot, and no real "big" toys, but he loved his big fire truck and his dinosaur backpack the best (I knew he would). I bought him lots of arts and craft supplies, little trucks, bath toys, books, etc. He's a happy boy:)

Nick's parents were incredibly generous as always but did a GREAT job of buying no toys. He got wonderful clothes, a Cars blanket, Mickey's A Christmas Carol (which I looked everywhere for), and some other wonderful things. He also got awesome gifts from his Aunt's and Uncle's. He's one lucky little dude.

Here are some pictures of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. More to follow once we see Erik and Joe this weekend.

Pretty awesome family picture- thanks Auntie! This was taken on Christmas Eve. Dexter gets overstimulated and even more excited than normal with so many people around, so we let him have a quiet Christmas at home by himself (he also got fed too many crackers and threw up a bunch when we got home- our boy has the most sensitive stomach)!

Dan and Kingsley being all cute

Aaron & Morgan, so glad we got to see him on Christmas Eve and they got Nicholas the coolest Patriots outfit!

Nicholas and Teddy, up to no good.

Let me tell you about Dexter's awesome bow tie- I "met" a girl named Nicole through Instagram. She has two adorable Boston Terrier's named Lucille Marie & Kumba. I've met quite a few Boston Terrier lovers through Instagram and last year there was a pay it forward message going around, where if a person commented on your image related to this, at some point in the next year you would randomly send them something, whether it be a card, a picture, etc. I sent Nicole a gift earlier this year and she reciprocated with a beyond thoughtful and wonderful package- that dapper bow tie, their beautiful family Christmas card, tons of treats for Dexter, BT socks and wine charms for me (how perfect is that??) a Mirabelle book for Nicholas (Mirabelle is a Boston Terrier), a copy of their local paper where her dog was the beautiful cover model, and I'm sure I'm forgetting a few other things. She is the sweetest and most thoughtful girl and I'm so glad she and I have connected. Even funnier, we both loved this sweater from White House Black Market and we both received it for Christmas - me from Tami and Nicole from her boyfriend Travis' Mom. We're soulmates for sure ;) Now if only she didn't live in Washington State!

Christmas morning- seriously Mom & Dad, all this stuff is for me? He actually figured out how to open presents this year, so that was fun to watch. He kept saying "more?" After one was done.

Playing with his new "phone" while wearing his dinosaur backpack. I kept calling him so he would look at me and I could take a picture, but he ignored me. I imagine I can easily recreate this image in about 10 years.

Kingsley and sweet Alice. She will be 1 in just a few weeks!

Looking sweet before the hissy fits started.

Love!

Ma, are we done with pictures yet? (not even close)

Took 40 pictures of these goobers, this was the best one. Quinton, Alice, Teddy, Nicholas

Alexis and Rich- let's get wedding planning you guys!

Papou and Quinton

An awesome dinosaur set from Auntie Kingsley & Uncle Dan

BECAUSE WE'RE NORMAL, OK?

What it's all about :)

Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday!

xoxo

Nicholas September- November

Another three months have flown by in the blink of an eye. Nicholas is growing taller by the minute. His language has picked up more and more seemingly every day and he speaks in a lot of full sentences now- granted a lot of them are "Nicholas speak" which I understand the best out of everyone, but seeing how much he is learning is simply amazing to watch.

Potty training was going pretty well but then he took a step back and wanted nothing to do with it. So I'm not pushing it, but we're getting there.

He moved into "Pre-K" at his day care so he's the youngest in the room again, but he is doing great. He was a little hesitant the first time he went in there but they do a great transition process and he has taken to it well. I really like his teachers and he seems to like them a lot too, so I am happy and he is happy.

He loves all things boy- and has really been into dinosaurs lately (I did a good job with those for Christmas ;) He loves trucks, cars, boats, as usual, all things boy. He's starting to get more daring and has been jumping on/off of the couch. Overall he's a happy, healthy, awesome little dude, and we couldn't be more lucky. He is, simply put, our world. Here are some of my favorite pictures of the last few months.

Congratulations to Alexis and Rich

This past Friday one day before Alexis' 30th birthday, her long time love Rich proposed! We couldn't be happier for them and we're so excited to help with their big day :) Alexis has been dreaming of her wedding day for as long as I can remember and we're so excited for her that planning can actually begin (and of course it already has;)

Love you both, to the moon and back!

On Saturday morning we went to brunch for Alexis, it was a great big group and although the food took forever, it was worth the wait and it was delicious. We spent most of our time trying to corral Nicholas into a corner and not run all over the restaurant. He loved his food and REALLY loved Auntie's cake as well.

Bucci Christmas Party

I've said it many times before, but it's worth saying again (and again and again). Nick and I are very lucky to have a great group of friends that we think of like family. This past weekend we went to our friend Matt & Deanna's that host an annual Christmas party and to say we had a blast would be an understatement. Our group is fun, fabulous, and knows how to party :) We did an As Seen On TV Yankee Swap and it was hilarious, as always. Their holiday party is one of our favorite traditions!

Matt and Deanna, our wonderful hosts!

The girls!

What happens when I say "make a dumb face everyone!"

More goofballs...

The guys!