Happy Birthday Kaylee!!!!

10 years ago today, this little wonder entered the world... Kaylee Brooke Workman

seen here with Brenna last summer.

It truly has been a joy to watch her grow up. Brenna has always looked up to her, and continues to do so. Even though we do not live as close as we used to, we are thrilled to get to visit with her and the rest of her family when we can. We love and miss you Kaylee!

HAPPY 10th BIRTHDAY!!!

Love, Brenna, Andrew, Uncle Todd & Aunt Shannon

Vikings Cheer Banquet

Brenna's Cheer Squad had their end of the year banquet on Monday. Brenna had not seen most of the girls since the season had ended in October so she was really looking forward to hanging out with everyone again.

The Coaches had organized a pizza lunch and cupcake decorating party. Gifts of appreciation were given out to all of the Coaches. And, at the end, Brenna was thrilled to learn that she would be receiving her own trophy. Here she is with her head Coach, Miss Lew.

E-Blue and their Jr. Coaches.

We were fortunate to have become good friends with the Hobin family through Cheerleading. Sara (left) and Megan (right) were both on Brenna's squad and they have a younger brother who has become friends with Andrew.

Cheerleading was a great experience for Brenna. She made a lot of new friends, learned a lot and had a ton of fun. Sign ups for next year are in February.... so far, she says she wants to do it again.... we will see.

Andrew's Professional Hockey Debut

Andrew's Learn to Play Hockey Team was invited to play in between periods at a Providence Bruins game this weekend at the Dunkin Donuts Center. The Coaches had done a good job pumping the kids up about it and Andrew was super excited. Everyday this week, he would ask "How many more days?". On Sunday morning, he got up at 7:30 AM, came downstairs and asked when we were leaving. He could hardly contain his excitement.

Brenna has a good friend who plays hockey and he had skated at a P Bruins game before. When they heard that we were going, the decided to join us. We were very excited to have them along and they were super supportive of Andrew.

Ironically, this was the first real hockey game that Andrew (and Brenna) had ever seen. He has watched bits and pieces of games on TV, but he had never even been to a professional arena. So, this was an extra special experience.

When we arrived we were taken down to the locker rooms so the kids could drop off their gear. Then we headed up to our seat and got our first real look at the ice.

It was "Thunderstick" day so Andrew was the lucky recipient of these...

Brenna's friend Adam showed up with his fan gear as well and kindly shared with Brenna.

It was a great arena to watch a game in. Andrew was amazed at how fast the players were skating, and kept asking questions about penalties, etc. Most of his questions I could not answer. (I think I will have to finally learn about the rules of this game!) And he even commented a few times about how he thought that he could skate like the Bruins players if he kept practicing!

His team skated between 2nd and 3rd period. Two of his other friends' teams skated between the 1st and 2nd period so we got to watch them from the stands first. Andrew really got a kick out of seeing his friends out on the ice and the jumbotron.

When it was time, Todd took him down to the locker room and got him suited up. The team got to watch the end of the 2nd period from ice level. (Andrew is the one turned around looking at the camera.)

When the period ended, the doors were opened and on they went. Andrew is #8.

Here are some shots from their game.

As the kids came off the ice, they were each given their own Providence Bruins cap and a pin to commemorate their skate.

He returned to the stands and we watched the remainder of the game.

It really was a great experience. We enjoyed watching the AHL game but, of course, the highlight was seeing our favorite hockey player out their on the ice. As we were driving home later that night (before he fell asleep in the car), Andrew wanted to know when he could do it again!

A backyard what?

A backyard ice rink.... Can you imagine it? I had to move to Massachusetts before I had ever even heard of one. Pretty cool, eh? One of our friends sets one up in their yard each year and they invited us over for a skate party this Saturday. We were joined by 2 other families from school. Andrew has been skating for almost 2 years now but Brenna had never been on skates before. As it turned out, this was the perfect place for a 1st outing for her.

After getting her all suited up in her skates and pads (and borrowing a helmet since she did not want to wear her princess bike helmet) she hit the ice. Todd helped her a long for a bit in the beginning but it was not too long before she was moving around on her own.

Even after a few spills, she was still smiling.

Andrew was in heaven. He got to play hockey with all of the big 2nd Grade boys. They had a blast! (He is the one in the GAP sweatshirt.)

And Brenna even joined in the game for a bit.

It was a pretty warm day and the sun started to melt the ice a bit. After lunch the kids returned to the ice, but this time without their skates. Instead, they wore their snow boots and continued to play hockey for at least another hour. They were having so much fun!

We had sooo much fun. Thanks Brooks family for a great day!

Cupcakes anyone???

My friend Jenee is so much fun. She is the host of the monthly scrapbook get together that I attend. Sometimes I scrap, sometimes I just chat and I almost always have a nice drink when I am there too! Ahh, but that is another story.

Jenee loves to plan events of sorts. She is the one who organizes the bi-annual scrapbook weekend that I go on. She was also the host (along with her husband Peter) of the infamous Meatball Cook-off and a great Memorial Day party last year. (I am secretly hoping that they are going to have another one this year!)

Instead of her annual cookie swap, Jenee decided to host a cupcake swap this past Friday. She kindly opened her home to 6 other friends and we were each asked to make and bring a different cupcake. Not only did she open up her house, but as usual, she went above and beyond in making the night special. When we arrived, we were treated to a cupcake martini. Yummy!

And, at each of our spots, she had left us her recipe in scrapbook form and made us each these adorable cupcakes out of socks! Aren't they cute?

Here is the group of lucky ladies that participated in the Swap. I am fortunate to be headed away to the Cape for the weekend with this group in March to scrapbook for almost 3 days. I can't wait!

Thanks Jenee for yet another wonderful night! You're the best!

Time to Catch Up a Bit

Well it seems that we are finally settling back into a routine. Even so, it has been a crazy busy week in our house. Between CCD, Hockey, Dance and a Book Club meeting at our house this week, things have been a little hectic, but still enjoyable.

Here area few quick snapshots our our week....

I know it is hard to believe but Andrew has started to shave. Ok, in truth he got his own Transformers' shaving kit from Santa and he loves shaving in the shower. When he is done he always asks if he did a good job. He cracks me up!

Only three weeks left of the hockey season. Even though it started in October, it seems to have flown by. It is amazing to see how much Andrew has learned this season. He really loves it. I know he will be sad when it ends.

He is very excited about his hockey schedule this weekend. Not only does he have a regularly scheduled game at the local rink, but his team is skating in between periods at the Providence Bruins in Rhode Island on Sunday. He has been counting down the days for about a week now. We are happy that we will be joined by one of Brenna's friends and his family. He is in 2nd Grade and has been skating for awhile and loves the Bruins. So, this seemed like the perfect outing to do together,

And here is our little fashionista. She loves to accessorize her outfits these days.

I hosted our Book Club meeting this week. Todd was kind enough to come home from work early and cook dinner for 11 ladies. Brenna had wanted to help out in some way so she made the Menu so everyone would know what they were having.

We read "The Help". It was a wonderful story about hired help in the deep South in the 60's. If you get a chance, pick it up. It was a great read.

Some more snow...

Well we got a bunch of snow this past weekend. Not as much as before. And luckily most of that had melted before we got his last batch. But, it was enough to make for some good sledding.

The lot next to us was recently cleared and partially graded. I say partially because there is a huge slope off the back of what was cleared. After Todd shoveled the driveway he took the kids out to play. I have to admit that I was kind of surprised when Brenna ran into the house tell me that they were sledding down the back of the lot. They had a blast, even though they ended up in some underbrush a lot of the time.

Good times with Daddy!

Project 365

I have always wanted to try this. What is it you ask? Well it is a plan where you take a picture a day for an entire year. I have tried this before for only a month and have not succeeded, but I thought I would give it a try again. In order to keep a cohesive record of the pictures I have set up a separate blog. You can find it here.... let me know what you think....

The Annual Workman New Years Visit!!!

The Workman Family arrived after an uneventful flight on the evening of December 30th. The kids were going crazy all day waiting for their arrival. Luckily, they had been invited for a playdate in the afternoon, otherwise I do not know how they would have survived!

After a quick bite to eat, Todd and Todd took the kids up to Jungle Plex to play for awhile. Todd had a soccer game and the kids all decided to go so they could play in Jungle Land. Jenn and I got to sit at home and catch up by ourselves for a bit which was very nice.

After they returned, the kids exchanged their Christmas gifts and quickly ran off to play. As usual, it was as if they had seen each other just yesterday. I love how they fall back into a routine so easily with each other. It is so nice.

Bennett and Astor loved all of the attention that they got during the visit!

On New Years Day we had chocolate fondue for dessert. As you can see, the kids really enjoyed it. And they even shared a bit with the adults.

Everyone was determined to make it till midnight. All of the kids except Andrew had plenty of energy. He only stayed up because the other kids were. So, we broke out the bubbly shortly before midnight (and the sparkling cider for the kids) and counted down until the ball dropped. As soon as that happened, Andrew got his second wind. The kids were very into posing for goofy pictures!

Here are a few shots of the rest of the night.

New Years day was spent relaxing. The kids played and the adults even got to watch a movie. (The Hangover and it was hysterical! Watch it if you can!)

Andrew received a bunch of Lego sets from the Workmans for Christmas and Uncle Todd patiently put them all together with Andrew. Andrew was in heaven! (And I am pretty sure that Todd liked it too!)

Andrew and Kaylee.

On Saturday we woke up to snow! We could not believe it. They were scheduled to fly out that night around 8 PM. The weather forecasters had not been calling for anything other than a dusting, but suddenly the storm had shifted and we were getting a few inches. Poor Todd and Jenn had suffered last year on their way up for New Years because of the weather. (Details here.) So, we were convinced that this could not happen again. Todd spent the day watching the weather conditions and Logan and checking the flights to see what was being cancelled.

Andrew had a hockey game that morning and was very happy to have an audience to watch him. He had asked his Coaches the other day if he could play goalie again so he suited up for about half the game as goalie. He still has a bit of difficultly moving around in all that goalie gear, but he loves playing that position. About half way though, he got out of the gear and got a chance to skate for the rest of the game.

It is amazing to me how much better he has gotten this season. We have noticed a significant improvement since he got his new skates. (Seems the old skates were too small but the poor kid never complained once!) The biggest news of the day was that he scored his FIRST GOAL in a game!!! He was so excited! I was so thrilled for him. I actually teared up! It was extra special to have the Workman family there to see it too!

Every New Years we try and get a group picture. Since we were all a bit fried at midnight on New Years Eve, we decided to wait until we were all a little more "together" to take it.

And of course, the kids insisted that we do a goofy one as well....

After taking this shot, the Workman family had to pack up and head to the airport. I always feel so bad for Brenna when our visitors leave. She still has such a hard time and this was no exception. After about 20 mins, I was able to calm her down and then Andrew burst into tears! I kept having to reassure them and tell them that we would all be together again soon!

After rushing to get out of the house (and even leaving an entire suitcase in the process) when Todd, Jenn and the girls got to the airport, the flight had been delayed quite a bit. It was now scheduled to depart at 10:40 PM. Luckily, they found a play area in another terminal and the kids could burn up some energy.

It truly was a wonderful visit and we are so very glad to have been able to spend New Years again with Todd, Jenn, Kaylee and Emma. Thanks so much for making the trek north! We miss you dearly already and can not wait to see you all again soon!