So much to be thankful for

I haven't listened to as much Christmas music this year as I usually do. I really need to spend a whole day (or weekend) at Mom's uploading all my favorite CDs to my ipod... but that hasn't happened.

Still I have some of my favorites (The Carpenters, Josh Groba, Garth Brooks, Mariah Carey, Bing Crosby... I could go on) on my ipod and when I feel like belting out some tunes in my car I pop it in.

The one song I keep hitting repeat on though is Josh Groban singing Thankful. His voice is beautiful and somehow soulful and deep. I love it. And the words to this song just make me want to cry and yet I love them. And so I'll share them with you here. To remind you all how thankful I am for each of you. And to set us off on a good note for 2010.


Thankful
written by Carole Bayer Sager, David Foster, and Richard Page
sung by- Josh Groban

Some days we forget to look around us
Some days we can't see the joy that surrounds us
So caught up inside ourselvesWe take when we should give

So for tonight we pray for
What we know can be
And on this day we hope for
What we still can't see

It's up to us to be the change
And even though we all can still do more
There's so much to be thankful for

Look beyond ourselves, there's so much sorrow
It's way too late to say, I'll cry tomorrow
Each of us must find our truth
We're so long overdue

So for tonight we pray for
What we know can be
And every day we hope for
What we still can't see

It's up to us to be the change
And even though we all can still do more
There's so much to be thankful for

Even with our differences
There is a place we're all connected
Each of us can find each others love

So for tonight we pray for
What we know can be
And on this day we hope for
What we still can't see

It's up to us to be the change
And even though this world needs so much more
There's so much to be thankful for

Tuesday 12/15 A&W

Tuesday was a ridiculous day at work. Back to back meetings with incredibly frustrating and frankly idiotic people. Didn't get to eat lunch until almost 2p. Not my ideal day.

But I left reasonably close to "on time"

and got to relax with these two kids.

They are both still sick. Ear infections, fever, cough.

But they are troopers. You'd never have known they were sick. Aila laughed soo soo hard at almost every move. And Willy just wanted to play!!! We were having so much fun playing with his new Thomas train and the drum I hadn't even thought to take out the camera until Willy said "take pictures Auntie Jen?" Oh yeah, what a novel idea. We could do that!

I think Willy doesn't want to work either.

He just wants to bang on the drum all day!!We were taking turns drumming the beat to the song he requested:

"La la la la! La la la la! Elmo's World!"

My new favorite picture of Aila!

This girl really needs to model! Those eyes are stunning!

I think Aila-babe looks just like her brother in this photo. Something about her mouth or her expression. Super cute.

This is my favorite Willy face ever!

At least this is a better reaction to the "Willy smile" request! :)

SO. SO. SO Close to crawling.

You can almost literally see those wheels turning.

A little snack- organic raisins. MMMmmm! Good snack Mom.

Yet again, Willy did not want me to go home this week.

What almost brought me to tears though was when Kris called me after I hung out with them on Saturday to say that Matt asked Willy:

"Did you have fun today?"

Willy: "Yes! Auntie Jen loves me!"

Smart kid. I certainly do! :)

Tuesday 12/8- A&W

Tuesday December 8th- Playdate with these two cheeseballs!

Miss Aila's getting big! I swear she'll be crawling any day now. She's up on her knees but mostly just scoots back.

Willy wanted a picture of "Aila & Willy"

Ok here's our best attempt. At least they're both smiling. That's impressive right?

Willy's other favorite subject to photograph--- balls (also trucks, planes, helicopters). Any of his favorite toys will do.

Then Willy wanted another shot at one of him and Aila (he loves her just a liiiittle bit). He takes good care of her. My hand was there ready to catch her too- lest you think I'm not watching out for the little babe.

Hi Aila!

Then Willy took off for some alone time- next to the couch, playing Beep Beep by himself.

Then in one of his many attempts to get me to stay- Willy put on my boots!

Just a little too big!

As I was telling him I had to go home, he tells me "No, stay here. Don't leave."

Breaks my heart.

It takes a little explaining but eventually he understands that I need to go home and see Uncle Danny, eat dinner and go to bed.

And we'll play again soon little man.

Enchanted Village

Thursday December 10th we took a field trip to visit the Enchanted Village. This Massachusetts tradition was in storage for the past few years but it found a good home at Jordan's furniture in Avon. All of the mechanisms were replaced and the Christmas figures were back in action and as beautiful as ever. This holiday attraction was a staple in Mom's Christmas season as a kid and the place where she, Aunt Karen and Uncle Michael had their Christmas photo with Santa taken each year- and so it was especially important for her to share this with Riley.

The display was gorgeous! Mom, Dad, Jeff, Melissa and Riley met there after work on Thursday. Riley said "WOW!" countless times looking at all of the displays.

Even on the way in!

She was taking in all the sights. And just the right height to peek under the railings.

Isn't her dress gorgeous? Grammy bought it for her.

Riley and Grammy.

Riley loved the horsey!

Some of the figures in the Enchanted Village.

The coolest surprise was that at various intervals, it would start to "snow" and small foamy bubbles would float down on everyone. I think Riley was a little freaked at first but then she loved it!

And we all loved when the bubbles would get stuck! Its hard to see here but she's got one on her face. So silly!

Checking out the scenes.

Her engineer of a Grandfather... likely explaining things to his little babe. Riley's going to be a very smart girl if she keeps listening to Pepere like this!

The old Santa display was beautiful!

Most of the gang (Mom was behind the camera)

Jen, Dad, Riley, Melissa and Jeff

Mom took this shot of Riley and me. A little fuzzy but I love it anyways. Sweet girl, kept calling for each of us to carry her and show her the sights. She's so loveable and sweet.

The walk through the village isn't all that long, but at the end there's another line and you can wait to have your picture taken with Santa. Riley was absolutely tearful and miserable at first.

Poor babe. Doesn't she look tortured? (of course she wasn't)

But its pretty funny!

By the end she was fine. And of course once we walked away- she kept running back over there to see him "Santa!!" Santa!!"

Hopefully Jordan's will keep this Massachusetts tradition in their store and we can visit every year! Next year Riley can show her little brother how its done when its time to sit on Santa's lap. I'm sure she'll be a pro by then!

'tis the season

i stink at blogging lately.
i wish i could tell you i have a really great reason for that like i'm off decorating christmas trees and singing carols and taking in all of the joy of the season.
that's not exactly the case.
work has been more insane than ever.
yes, i have said that before.
this time its really true.
my entire team just shakes their head when i answer the question "what's going on with your projects?"
its a lot.
but i think i'm handling it well.
and they are all being well received by the people who "matter" here and that's important to me.

unfortunately it means that i'm working long hours
and trying to go to bed early
thus not getting much done in between.
i clean up the house when i can
i've gotten a remarkable amount of my christmas shopping done
(and wrapped)
made a few homemade meals (but very few)
i watch aila and willy grow taller and learn more and more things when i see them each tuesday. we bond and love on each other.
my knitting is making some very substantial progress
and i'm so happy about that. its a beautiful art. every time i see a sweater now my brain starts churning.... but i haven't made as many things as i would have hoped by now...
partly because i fear the knitting is not helping my back problems at all- a testament to just how screwed up my shoulders are- unlike normal people when i do almost anything with my arms or my head, my shoulders, neck and back are all involved. my PT says its not supposed to do that. yikes! so i'm working to retrain my muscles. which takes time i don't have.
hoping my new post it on the computer which says "do PT exercise!" will help remind me to keep this very important thing on my ever-growing to-do list.

haven't been going to the gym. no time. little motivation. and trying not to screw up any progress i'm making in PT (admittedly a feeble excuse- though apparently every movement i made impacts my burning shoulder blade).

no time to scrap either... though amazingly i think i've made more gifts for christmas this year than any other... i'm looking forward to another scrapbooking weekend in february where i can indulge in a whole 3 days of girl talk and silliness with my friends. and i'm soo excited to begin work on the basement. task #1- purge purge purge (maybe that's tasks #1-3!). then move things around so we have a clear space with which to work. it will be a long process. but it should keep dan and i busy this winter.

my house is decorated for christmas and that makes me happy. i had hoped to put up a christmas tree this year but the weeks flew by and i was too wrecked come the weekend to put that much physical effort into the project... so no tree this year. which i'm totally at peace with and that's all that matters. i heart sirius satellite radio and the no-commercial Christmas channels. and i've got a christmas playlist on my ipod. looking forward to sharing delicious food and catching up with family and friends over the coming weeks.

so life is busy.
but its good.
and getting better all the time.

i need to start thinking about my goals for next year. so many things on my list...
more knitting,
photography lessons/classes (FINALLY)
work goals,
saving more money
paying off my car
spending more quality time with the fam
training for the Boston Breast Cancer 3Day (anyone want to add that to their 2010 goal??? i'd love to have you on my team).

so many good things.
but for now i have to get back to work.
break time's over.

in case i don't see you
and in case i continue to stink at blogging
Merry Christmas!!!
I don't send Christmas cards.. its nothing personal. its a lot of time (even to send something generic) and I have a hard time justifying sending something that's fairly impersonal just to have it thrown out (and not even recycled). But it doesn't mean I love you any less!

Jen & Paul's Post-Wedding Celebration

Another late post (doing my best to catch up)!

On Sunday 11/29, the Marist gang surprised newlyweds Jen and Paul at Meg & Nick's place with a post-wedding celebration.

For those of you who don't know, Jen (who went to Marist with me and was my roommate Senior Year) and Paul got married on a cruise in August, so most of us were not able to attend.

Well we got them good! They had NO idea!

A shocked bride! Surprise!

It was great catching up with the girls (and their guys). Jessica & Joel, Amber & Justin and Avonlea (a party favorite), Courtney, Laura and me.

Jen, Jessica & Amber

Megan getting a baby fix in- Avonlea was loving all the attention from her Marist "aunties"

Love this shot of Avonlea and Auntie Laura!!!

Megan made a delicious dinner- lasagne and salad.

Then there was a whole host of desserts!

Including cake- which Jen got to dress-up to cut *and make a wish!

The Happy Couple!!

Jessica & Joel

Some more loving on Avonlea- we even got Jessica to warm up to her. But Laura was the most clearly in love-- though we can't say we blame her!!

Then it was Jenny's turn!

All us girls

Jen, Laura, Me, Jessica, Courtney & Meg

with Avonlea and Amber (in front)

It was a great weekend.

I actually arrived at Amber's on Saturday afternoon and got a welcome surprise that Laura came in too! We went out for a delicious Mexican dinner and did a great job of slipping back on our old college hats- girl talk and playing with hair and staying up way too late! So worth it!

An absolutely great weekend. It was great seeing Jen & Paul! Wishing you both the best. Love you!

Polar Express

Sunday December 6th

Willy and I boarded the Polar Express at 2:25p for the 2:45p train.

Willy was decked out in his new PJs and his navy blue bathrobe, psyched up for our ride. I had to wake him from his afternoon nap to make sure we got to Greenbush Station on time and bleary eyed he greeted me- the first words out of his mouth "going on a choo choo?!" That's right little buddy. We got him dressed and got out of the house, and on the train on time.

We found a seat (but later moved to a seat at a table once we realized it was indeed open), which worked out great because as it turned out, we were seated right across from the Storyteller!

Here are our tickets!!

The train chugged along to Hingham and along the way there were many treats for the little ones. Elves painted noses to look like Rudolph's!

And they gave out Penguin Tattoos to decorate the kids' hands.

Then it was time to punch the tickets.

Willy held his out to be punched.

We sang Christmas carols along the way, but I think Willy's favorite part was the visit from the characters. He LOVED Frosty the Snowman!! We also saw Rudolph, Mrs. Claus & Santa himself!

Sitting at the table worked out great for eating a big chocolate chip cookie and drinking chocolate milk (no hot chocolate which was a little disappointing, but safer, I suppose)

--- check out that tattoo!----

When we arrived in Hingham, the Storyteller read the Polar Express aloud for all to hear. We were fortunate to be sitting with her so we got to see the pictures on every page. Willy paid attention to most of the book (which surprised me a little only because most of the other kids didn't seem to be listening at all. It was sooo loud). When the story was finished, the choo choo drove us back to Greenbush Station. We sang along the way, and Santa's elves brought presents to each boy and girl.

And Candy Canes too! Willy wore most of it, but enjoyed every minute of sucking on the sweets.

Willy loved his presents.

Crayons, a coloring page, a jingle bell and a train whistle!!

You can guess which was his favorite!!

It was truly a great trip. Willy was a bit tired for the first 15 minutes or so because he hadn't gotten to finish his nap, but I won't complain because he was super cuddly. He loved being on the train and watching as other trains passed us! And while he wasn't old enough to know the words to the Christmas Carols he loved the visits from the characters and the presents at the end. A day of wonderful memories for this little boy and his Aunt.

All the way home Willy kept saying "Aunt Jen, I had fun on the choo choo!"

I'd reply "Oh good buddy! That makes me happy! I had fun too"

Willy would let that simmer for a second then say "I'm happy too!"

On the way home he was asking to go to Uncle Danny's house so we stopped in for a visit.

{Which worked out well since Auntie Jen had a splitting headache, likely from the hundred of screaming kids on the train}

So Willy got some quality time watching football with Uncle Danny (and Shawn) while Auntie Jen got some Excedrin and ice water. Soon enough we were back on the road. I dropped off the little guy and made my way home. Great Christmas memories in my heart.