Reposting of Happy New Year

Happy New Year! I hope you all had a safe and fun new year's eve. We spent the night at home. Bob bought me a fryer for Christmas, so we fried a bunch of different foods (matchstick potatoes, mushrooms, zucchini, mozzarella sticks) and I tried to fry a snickers for Bob, but apparently they need to be frozen first because it melted on contact. I bought a smoker for Bob for Christmas, so he wrapped chicken in bacon and smoked it all afternoon. I could smell the smoker around the corner when I was coming back from doing errands. Glenn said it was the best taste ever. It was really good! After dinner, we had a dance party. The boys stayed up until 9, and then slept together in Glenn's room. Bob and I just made it to midnight, then went to bed.

I promised yesterday that I had more pictures of post-Christmas fun. So, here they are. My parents came back to our house last Thursday. On Friday, we drove down to Disney and took a tour of some of the resorts to view the Christmas decorations. Some of the resorts weren't as decorated as I thought they would be, but we still had fun. Our first stop was the Contemporary Resort. They had a gingerbread tree. It smelled delicious!

 

We took the monorail to it's next resort, the Polynesian Resort. The boys loved going on the monorail. They didn't have a lot of decorations, but there are so many beautiful plants there that we took a walk of the grounds. Here, Bob is putting his finger in the nose of a little tiki guy (I know, classy)!

Our next stop on the monorail was the Grand Floridian. It was beautifully decorated. Unfortunately, a lot of my pictures didn't come out because apparently my lens was smudged (that's why there is a bit of a halo on some of the pictures). They had a life size gingerbread house. 

 

We then took the monorail to the Magic Kingdom, then the boat from there to the Wilderness Lodge. It was great walking around there because that is where Bob and I stayed on our honeymoon. The inside of this resort is like the hotel in Yellowstone Park. It was beautiful.

We then waited a half hour for the bus to Downtown Disney (that's where we parked the car). Here are the boys waiting.

I think Glenn was dancing.

In Downtown Disney:

A couple days ago, Alexander and I were sitting on the couch and he put his arm around me and said, "This means I love you!" I happened to have my phone within reach, so I took this picture. I love him, too!

Bob took video of Alexander's gymnastics program. I've never uploaded it this way, so we'll see if this works. If not, at least you have another picture. 

And here's a bonus picture, Alexander rocking out on the guitar on New Year's Eve. 

 

Reposting of Christmas Fun

I am reposting the last two posts because apparently I'm the only one who can see the pictures. So, hopefully this works.

We've been having a fun Christmas time! Last time I posted, we had just had the Christmas program at our church. Here's a picture of them singing a song. J-O-Y (Joy to the World).

Before school ended, Alexander had a gymnastics program. He did a great job and was very cute! Here, he's doing the table. When the teacher asked what you are going to put on the table, most said cookies. His friend behind him said coffee. :)

 

 

We saw the annual Ocala Christmas Light Parade. We got a good spot without having to put our chairs out and tape a week in advance (seriously, they do that!). We had a picnic snack and a good time! It was perfect weather for a parade. By the time it started, it was getting dark and all the floats had Christmas lights. Our church won third place in the non-profit category.

 

Alexander dressed himself and wore this the whole day!

The weekend before Christmas, my brother Brad, his wife, Julie, and son, Jason came for a visit. We went down to Downtown Disney for the day. 

 

 

Of course they also rode the train. They wanted ice cream (Bob, of course). It was in the low 60's, so I had a cafe mocha instead.

 

After church, Alexander put on his glasses (some $1 readers I got for him to play with) and got out a book to read. :)

Christmas morning was wonderful! The boys got us up just before 7:00. They hadn't seen all the presents under the tree, so we kept them in our room until we were ready to open presents. Alexander is wearing his new Captain America costume. Glenn was too busy playing on his new tablet. 

Angry Birds was the theme of the day. I got bought Alexander these big cardboard blocks. Glenn received a bunch of Angry Birds and pigs. So, they set up the blocks, put the pigs on them and threw the birds at them just like the game. Notice Alexander's one green and one red sock.

My parents came for a late breakfast on Christmas and stayed the night. We went to visit my brother and family at Julie's parents' house just south of here the day after Christmas. Here, the boys are eating a gingerbread train while watching The Polar Express.

 

Fun Week

The boys finished school last week and have been on winter break this week. We've had our friend's daughter with us a couple of days. She's just a month younger than Alexander. She may be buddy-buddy with Alexander in this picture, but she really likes Glenn.

Last night, we had the children's Christmas program at church. The boys were really into singing out and doing the motions with the songs. Don't they look handsome? Glenn's doing his surprised face, I couldn't get him to smile. 

We did the advent calendar this morning and couldn't believe there are only five more days until Christmas. My brother and his family are coming tomorrow for a few days, and then my parents will be here on Christmas. We decided to take a year off from going up to CT. Besides, Bob is just way too busy with work to go anywhere. It's a good thing, though, because business is usually slow this time of year. Not this year!!!

In case I don't get back on here until after Christmas, I wish you all a Merry Christmas!

Early December Fun

We got our Christmas tree on Saturday and decorated it. The boys loved putting on the ornaments. We have the tree plugged into an outlet that can be turned on by a wall switch, so the boys enjoy turning the tree on when they get up in the morning.



We had a fun night tonight. After dinner, we went to the town square to look at the lights and see Santa. Glenn said Santa already knew what he wanted and did not want to talk to him (he never has). Alexander was very excited to talk to Santa and answered all his questions well.

We then went over to the big Christmas tree for pictures. I apparently need photography lessons because I couldn't get the lights to show up and get the boys in focus. But the boys still look cute.

 

 

We then went home and they got their pjs on. I made hot cocoa with marshmallows, of course. Then we watched Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. It's on so late (8pm, when they are usually asleep), but it's just once a year.

Alexander was so tired afterward, he was crying that he stayed up too late. So, I laid down with him until he fell asleep. It was awesome! He had his cheek on my hand and his arm around me. Just when I thought it couldn't get better, he moved his arm so his hand rested on my cheek. Love him!

November Activities

I am a bit behind on blogging. So, here's my first update of two tonight. Alexander wanted to make a car out of a box, so that's what we did.

Glenn and Bob were in a parade the day our town had the tree lighting in the square. Don't they look sharp? Glenn loved it.

 

Alexander had a Thanksgiving program. It was very sweet. They sang songs and recited a Bible verse. Then we ate pumpkin pie.

It's very difficult to get him to make a non-goofy face.

 

Bob's parents stayed with us for Thanksgiving. Can you tell they had a great time?

Bob and Glenn cuddling.