January Freezer

I think the saying goes something like "out of the frying pan and into the freezer'.  It's been like that for us since our return from the D.R.  Things got cold around here, really cold.  And since we had lost so much snow after the X-mas thaw and the temps were so low, we had few options for good winter recreation, except to skate.

The Ganz Pond up in Happy Hollow is the perfect pond.  And a great place to get inspired by little hockey players.

Cal & Hazen used the double decker crate to get started, but they insisted they didn't need it after a few minutes:

And a when the temperatures got a little more reasonable, a very important moment happened in the Abbott Family Annuals of Skiing.  Hazen & Cally are riding the lift without an adult!  It's crazy, I know.  But it is liberating in so many ways.  This means that John or I can ski on our own with the kids at Smuggs (b/c there are only double chairs there).

But they do still like us enough to ride the lifts with us.  They aren't too cool for us, yet:

But it also means that john and I get tor ride lifts together:

The D.R.

What a week!  And what a reason to celebrate!  Mary Lou and Phil, aka Mom and Dad or Bumpa and Grandma made it through 50 years of marriage!  They announced last year that they didn't want a big party, they just wanted to take all of us on a vacation.

My mom spent A LOT of time researching the best vacation for a family of 13, with kids ranging from 3-12 years old and people who like to do everything from veg out on the beach to exercise.  

Well, let's just say, my mom "nailed it".  We went to an all inclusive resort in Punta Cana, on the Northeast side of the Dominican Republic.  The kids were thrilled to be with their cousins.

The accommodations were devine.

We danced.

We ate really well.

We swam a lot.

The beach was beautiful.

 

And the pool was enormous.

There was even a swim up "Manitee Bar"

Some people did Zumba

We spent a day snorkling and dancing and swimming with 50 of our best friend.

We rang in the New Year with much pomp and ceremony.

And mostly, we relaxed and had fun.  The kids LOVED the Explorers Club and opted to spend a few hours each day and three dinners there because it was way more fun than sitting through long dinner with the family. I read a book.  John and I sea kayaked, went on long walks, and ate some more. We all agreed that it was the most relaxing vacation we had been on as a family.

We all felt refreshed and ready to tackle the new year...... or so we thought!?!?!?

I'm so proud to be the daughter of these two people.  They are gracious and fun and humble.  I'm so happy that I could share this week in the D.R. with both of my families.  It really was a treat.

Christmas Joy

 Christmas is such a wonderful time of the year!  We were lucky to host Nana and Grandpa this year.  They arrived just after we all got home from school on Tuesday the 23rd and stayed through the 26th.

Nana swooped in with books and hugs

Grandpa was ready to draw and goof around

The weather wasn't so great, so we spend some quality time hunkering by the fire and enjoying the warmth and company in our home.

The kids were so fired up for Santa to come and they loved so many of their gifts.

Nana's hand knit sweater

Scratch art

a lego farm!

a mug with Hazen's original art

We couldn't stay in all day, so we left Nana and Grandpa at home to take a nap between meals and got out for a fun walk with Zephy.

It was such a treat to have Art and Peg up here for Christmas.  It was the first time they had ventured up here to celebrate Christmas with us.  The kids love their new sweaters and we all appreciated their company.