Mom and Tom's travel blog

Check out:
http://www.themeanderingfork.blogspot.com/
for updates on Denise and Tom's adventure in Italy!

Sleeping bags and apples

Through snow and sleet, the kid's sleeping bags arrived today - thanks nonna and grandpa! A T-Rex and a kitten!


Sylvia learned the word "apple" today (she's wearing her new dress and pants from Sue!).

Karaoke, more presents, and a break-in

Shawn got me a karaoke machine for Christmas, something I've been wanting for years! We're already having so much fun with it. Shawn got some children's songs so even the kids can sing along!




We met up with the Ws so the kids could exchange presents. Andy got this very cool helmet with a built in microphone and a coordinating steering wheel. He loves it!

Sylvia too...

They're getting so old! Andy was having a better time than his face suggests in this picture!

We locked ourselves out of the house -- luckily we have a little munchkin just small enough to get through the dog door...

...and just big enough to celebrate for only a short time before letting us in (he was very pleased that he was the first in the house!)

Christmas morning

Santa ate some cookies, but apparently forgot to bring the ornament that Andy left out for him, oops. We're sending it to him with a letter asking why Andy did not receive the "boot connectors" he asked Santa for when he got his photo taken with him. I think the chocolate in the stocking got one of the ravest reviews.

Holding the phone up so Grandma Sirpa can see the new batman cave!

Notice she's talking with her hands...

Sylvia got a tutu.

Sue, Carole and Harry joined us for brunch -- I made plain old eggs, bacon and cinnamon rolls, but who needs that when you have THIS! So many layers of deliciousness. Thanks Auntie Carole!

Sylvia has been naming parts of our faces, but particularly enjoys Andy's nose -- and putting her finger right up it.

Christmas Eve firsts

On the 24th, Sylvia:

(1) peed in the potty; and

(2) said her first sentence to Elroy, the Humphries' dog: "hi puppy!"

Christmas Eve

Above, Sue and Carole. Below, Shawn and Harry.

Sylvia in her holiday best!

What a beautiful meal! Homemade ravioli with Carole's delicious sugo, lamb and potatoes, an incredible spinach dish, salad and more!

Much was made (by Paul) about Harry's festive t-shirt...

Andy slept well into the end of the meal, but Sylvia enjoyed the kid-sized table (and hopping between it and our laps!)

Andy finally woke up.

Andy got a new jackhammer for Christmas...

...and shared with Sylvia.

Little drummer girl!

Herb

A little more snow...

I'd say this was up to 6 inches (on the 21st), and it snowed a couple more inches that evening.

The sledding hill near our house was packed!

Shawn built a mini-luge in our yard, which the kids loved!