Christmas 2013

Bond's family and Grandparents came to visit us for Christmas this year.  It was really nice to be together and enjoy a relaxing time together. 

Belle fell even more in love with her Uncle G, and was always asking where he was if he was in a different room.

We have been tossing a couple of farm names around for the past year or two and finally decided to make one official with Christmas gifts for everyone.  Introducing, "Wilding Acres Farm."  Named after Bond's great-grandfather Frank Wilding (his Grandma's, center of the picture, dad) who was a farmer and shares Bond's birthday.

Belle's favorite saying over Christmas, "It's HO-HO time!"

The boys bought Daddy the second Harry Potter book.  He read the first one to them last month and Bug thought it would be a great idea to buy one for his stocking.

Christmas Eve Jammies.

Christmas Eve nativity.

My sweet boy.

Bear was very into his roll as the Shepherd.

Dog pile on the uncles.

Girls day out to Trader Joe's (I have to drive thirty minutes to get to one now because they see dairy-free chocolate chips) and lunch.

The temperature the Sunday before Christmas was in the 70's.  I am in love with this place.

Bond and I before our date to the University Christmas Party.

Thankful

Bond and Poppi Butchering our Thanksgiving and Christmas turkeys.

The boys playing soccer with their cousins.

Hiking the property.

My Aunt (my mom's sister) and Uncle from Boston.

We had visitors from all over this year.  My Uncle from NYC, my aunt and her husband and two teenagers from Boston, my brother and niece and nephew (and his girlfriend) and my sister and her three kids from Virginia.  

Bug as Governor William Bradford.

Bear as Squanto.

The feast.

The kid table.

Playing Spoons after dinner.

The traditional after dinner talent show. 

My Nephew, blowing bubbles as his talent. :)

His big brother playing the ukulele. 

My dairy-free chocolate pumpkin cheesecake creation.

Date with the Little Ones

My mom took Bug to swimming for me the other week so I could take Bear and Belle to the Children's Museum. I love watching them discover and play.

31

To wrap up our third and final birthday in November,  we celebrated my 31st.  Bond and I ate sushi and then went to see "Ender's Game."  I attempted a dairy-free cheese cake and it turned out pretty good,  but definitely not as rich and creamy as real cheesecake. It feels good to welcome in another year.

Belle is TWO!

My baby is two! She only weighs 20 1/2 pounds but her huge, loud, and intense personality make up for what she lacks in weight.  She still loves to cuddle and  her favorite conversation is as follows:

Belle: "I happy Mama.  You happy? "

Me: "Yes girlie, I am so happy."

Belle:  "I happy too.  Bubbas (her brothers) happy?"

Bug: "Yeah, I'm happy."

Bear: "YES! Why do I always have to answer that?"

Belle: "Oh, they happy."

Belle got a kitten for her birthday.  She is obsessed with holding it and saying "Hi, Cat!" over and over again.

We had a couple of friends over to celebrate her special day with pizza and cake.

She was totally into her party and the birthday song.  She waited until the end and then blew out her own candles.

I love these two ladies.  As soon as we moved here they wrapped their arms around me and made me feel loved and right at home.  I am so thankful for good friends.

 My mom and dad got her a stroller and I gave her one of my old dolls and a blanket my friend made me in high school.

Belle loves music.  She has about ten different cds that she listens to at night and sings right along with them.  

She takes very short naps and likes to wake up early and be on the go all day. She doesn't miss a beat with her big brothers and joins in on whatever they are doing. 

 We love our two-year-old!