Sunday, December 28, 2014

Christmas 2014

We had a 4 day Christmas extravaganza here at the Cali house.  It started on Wednesday night for Christmas Eve dinner at my aunt and uncle's house.  Then Christmas morning at our house, Christmas dinner at my mom's, and then finally Christmas with Mimi and Papi on Saturday.  The boys were showered in so many wonderful gifts.  They should be all set with toys for a lifetime!  It's good to be the only grandchildren in a big family! ; )

Thank you to everyone who sent gifts, food, cards and lots of love our way.  The Christmas spirit was alive and well in this house!
















Sunday, December 14, 2014

The REAL Santa

Every year the boys' school sponsors a Santa breakfast for the kids and their families.  There are munchkins and coffee, music performed by the music teacher, adorable red and green little kid clothes (except for my kids - I mean, it's enough just to get them dressed and out the door, right?!), and of course Santa!  This year the party was extra special for me since Santa happened to be the man I consider to be the REAL Santa.  He was at every family Christmas party of mine since I can remember.  I have a picture of my sister and I sitting on his lap where I am probably 18 months old and screaming bloody murder.  I mean, we go back!  When my grandmother passed away 2 years ago, the party stopped.  So, it is just extra special for me to see my own kids with this person who has given me such magic and Christmas spirit my whole life.  What a gift!  : )


Sunday, December 7, 2014

Christmas tree shopping


We got our tree today. While many of our friends like to cut down their own tree on the farm or out in the woods, we are very much on the other side of that fence! Just this side of having a fake tree, we like to go down the street, point out the one we like, and have someone else wrap it up and put it on top of our car for us. The boys don't know any different and they had fun this morning running around to pick out a tree. 







Saturday, December 6, 2014

Thanksgiving

Like millions of other Americans, we traveled last week to see family for Thanksgiving.  The boys were so excited to go to Mimi and Papi's house, that they had been counting down the weeks and days since Halloween.  Really.

However, once we got in the car and started the 3 1/2 hour drive, their faces looked more like this:


Once we got there, they were excited again and thrilled to be playing in their own room with a big boy bed, new bookcase, toys, crayons, superheroes, etc.  They took everything off the shelf and made it into a toy of its own:




They both enjoyed some quiet time with Papi.  Tommy especially loved to show of his iPad skills:



Following the big day we got up early and drove into Boston to visit the Children's Museum.  It was a great place to blow off some steam:





On Saturday we hit up the Pump n' Jump at the mall.  Tons of bouncy castles and an arcade.  SO fun and something we just don't have at home.  The boys loved it:




Back at Mimi and Papi's house, we played hide and go seek and played with Titi and Winston:




Finally, it was time to chill out and have a movie night before heading home in the morning:


Happy Thanksgiving!