Merry Christmas to All

What a whirlwind of Christmas celebrations. Four xmases in two days. Well, five xmases in two days if you count the one at home with Santa. Christmas Eve: Baba's house, Auntie Cheryl's house, Santa brings presents in the morning. Xmas Day: Nana's house and Uncle Brian's house. Whew. Still have the last one to get to, but Jaden's napping now. Tomorrow may include Jaden's first day of sledding. Jaden got a TON of gifts. All kinds of basketball stuff, Dance Cam, Elmo Live, a sled, baseball stuff, clothes, books, playdough set, tent, tunnel, toys, toys and more toys. Oh ya, and watching A Christmas Story a good 20 times or so.

Friday with the Grandma's

Grandma K and Grandma Gum came over to play today. Jaden and the "grams" danced to Uncle Jimmy's music, read books and now he's taking a snooze. I will try ot be better about updating photos this week! Promise!

Holiday on 44th

Our neighborhood is so great. There are lots of community activities that happen throughout the year, and they are always very well attended and really fun. You are really missing out if you don't go. Last night was the annual Holiday on 44th, which is a winter celebration. It's basically like a block party, where they close off nearly a mile of the road on 44th Ave. All of the stores and schools along the road are open and offer activities, hot chocolate, cookies, crafts, etc. Outside, there are sleigh rides, pony rides, fire jugglers, ice sculptors, Santa!, bon fires to roast marshmallows, roasted chestnuts, carolers singing, the marching band playing christmas tunes, and I'm sure I'm forgetting something. Anyway, it was lightly snowing, and we got all bundled up and had fun! Jaden especially liked the marching band, the carolers and the sleigh ride. Oh, did I mention that everything is free? It's simply for the neighborhood to have fun. It really was pleasant outside too. It was chilly, but not freezing. When we got home, and un-bundled, Jaden's hands and feet were still warm. It was a good time! For those of you who I invited to come along, but you were too wimpy to face the cold (and you know who you are), you missed out! Haha. There is always next year! I had to post two entries for all the pictures.

Holiday of 44th - Part 2

Playing in the Snow

With the little bit of snow we got on Sunday night, we all went outside to shovel (our corner lot, by the way!). Jaden had fun on the playset too. The slide was super slippery from the snow. Weee... fun! Look at those cheeks!

Oh, Christmas Tree

We set up the tree last weekend. So pretty!

Elves and Santa

This afternoon, we took a trek to the annual Macy's 8th floor christmas display, and saw Santa too. We had a big group; mom, dad, Jaden, Grandma, Uncle Joey, Stacey, Jo Jo, Auntie, Auntie CC, Uncle Tony and Damiana. It was very crowded, but so cool. Jaden had a good time. Jo Jo slept through the whole display, but woke up just in time for Santa! Jaden wasn't the slightest bit afraid of Santa. In fact, he walked right up to him and said "hi Santa." He hopped right on his lap and told him he wants toys for Christmas. It was cute. We had a cookie afterward. We stopped to play with Isaac afterward, but forgot to take pictures of that. Tomorrow, we might try ice skating for the first time! Stay tuned!

Thanksgiving Tofurky

Well, Jaden and his mom are vegetarians. What else can I say?

First Bowling

Jaden went bowling for the first time today. He loved it. All the way home, after two games, he kept saying, "More bowling!" I'm pretty sure we can never again go to "just watch" Jesse during his bowling league nights, because Jaden will surely insist on having a turn.

Semanko for President in 2052

Future Prez.

Photo Shoot Sneak Peek

Jaden had a photo shoot last weekend, and it will take a few weeks to get the final proofs back, but the photographer was kind enough to email me a sneak peek! Here they are. I can't wait to get the rest! Expect your very own print as a Christmas gift!

Halloween!

This post is quite late, but still wanted to make sure you saw Jadey on Halloween night in his costume. We started out as a group with Damiana and her friend, Jaden, Jo Jo and Isaac. We ended up being split up, since the big kids were running from house to house and the little kids and baby couldn't keep up! It was fun, a beautiful evening. We had 164 trick or treaters before we ran out of candy at aout 7:45 PM. We shut off the lights and put a sign on the door saying, "Sorry, No More Candy" and even still, we had a few knocks!

Carving Pumpkins

Yes, we celebrate Halloween all month long. It's my favorite holiday, so I make the most of it. Here we are carving pumpkins at Auntie Cheryl's house. Jaden wasn't crazy about the pumpkin gook, but he liked the carving part!

Play Dough!

Remember Play Dough? It still smells the same!

Zoo Boo!

We went to the Zoo Boo at Como Zoo on Sunday the 19th. The kids dress up in their costumes, and go trick or treating at the zoo. There are costumed characters all over the place handing out treats. There is music and a few games too. Jaden was weary of all the people and everyone who talked to him, he gave "the look" as you can see in the last photo. He loved the bowling game, and the carousel too. So many cute kids in their costumes!