Christmas

Ahh Christmas - the time we swore we weren't going to travel . . . but we did. It's hard to resist all the Mehler boys being in one place for a holiday, and the house full of cousins jumping on the bed downstairs, running through the house screaming, and tearing into presents when it was their turn.

The travel started with a couple of cancelled flights and much time on the phone with multiple airlines - but the bright side is that we had a day in Pittsburgh at the Children's museum and joined the rest of the Chicago crew early the next morning.

The concept of Christmas clicked for Joshua this year and he started looking for more boxes to open. He is still singing Christmas songs - Santa Claus is coming to Town and Frosty the Snowman.

Dancing and singing pantless - what could be better?

Some of the best photos follow.

OH the Mehler boys in their matching pajamas - how cute. Better yet (and not posted here) are the pictures of the boys holding up their speedos their mom had saved since junior high. You're welcome guys!!!

The cousins of course had to have a picture together - little did they know they had to sit for dozens of shots. Don't they look so enthused? What don't you see - my on the opposite couch jumping up and down singing songs to get the kids to smile.

Another group shot of the cousins.

Nana has a giant stuffed giraffe - Tara, and she is so huggable.

A chicken hat - just what he always wanted. This picture doesn't help the boy/girl confusion Joshua gets.

Making funny faces with Uncle Ray and Annaliesa.

Tia Maureen and Joshua wrapped in his Super J cape/towel.

Oh Christmas can be so rough . . . . so rough Joshua fell asleep sitting up while eating a bowl of Cheerios. Poor guy - it took him a week once we got home to catch up.

New Years at Noon

I was so overwhlemed with the numerous choices for New Year's Eve festivities in Meadville I decided to escape it all and throw a New Year's and Noon party for the kids. Luckily my mom was still in town and we had a great time in Walmart shopping for all the art supplies to make hats and noise makers. Not to mention the wine drinking and sample hat making the night before.

The kids all had a blast and were quite into hat making when noon was approaching- so we just wound back the clock a couple of times to give us an extra 15 minutes.

My mother was the official photographer of the event and I am promised pictures soon. The highlight really was Jim Bullman making my hat for the event - classic Jim style. I only hope the picture is close enough to capture the detail.