Celebrating Christ's Birth

Christmas Eve at Nana and Pop-pop's was amazing! After Christmas Eve service at church we all enjoyed the evening together with kielbasa, wine, dinner, wine, desert, wine and wine. =)  Nana has always made a wonderful Christmas Eve dinner but this year, the consensus was, it was the best cooking yet! We had a turkey, ham, mashed potatoes, hominy grits, golabkis, green bean casserole, peas, fresh rye bread, gravy, mom's famous stuffing that has the entire kitchen in it (but not the sink), cranberries, all the other fixings I can't remember...and the most delicious home made kruschicki cookies, pumpkin and apple pies! Oh yummmmy!

Thankfully Grandma and Grandpa McCoy came (they usually join us for Christmas Eve). This reminds me to be thankfull that both my parents and my in-laws get along well and enjoy eachother's company! What a blessing that is and what a sweet blessing they are to us!

...before the BIG mess!

After dinner we played a few rounds of Apples to Apples, said goodbye to the guests, changed into our onsie pj's (yes, all of us) and watched some good old family videos.

 

Christmas Morning and an entire room of presents!

(there were 9 of us there...not all of these were for little Bean)

Learning to open his first present. That wasn't too exciting for him, after this picture he just wanted to climb up and down the stairs all morning. really? That was more fun than opening gifts? At least it kept him busy. I don't have high expectations for next Christmas...just for him to excitedly open one gift.

Christmas Morning, after ALL THOSE PRESENTS WERE OPENED, Pop-pop cooks breakfast. Let me tell you, if you have high colesterol (like I do) or if you are on any kind of diet...STAY AWAY! Pop-pop makes Polish Platskis or potato pancakes, bacon, sasage, and big omlets for everyone. Breakfast usually has a sizzling sound while cooking. This sound has two effects, it makes the food taste really yummy, but it tends to put my brother and sister to sleep. So with much begging and prying from couches I can sometimes get them to chop an onion or shredd cheese. This year...we were blessed with the wonderful help of my sister-in-law Stephanie. And great help it was!

 

The line up

The Head Cook

The Snacker

The Background Music

The Preggo and her loving Hubby

(Mmmmm I see that mamosa you have there!)

Ahhhh...what a nice Christmas it was!

And I am so embarrassed to say that after much more excitement, tons more family, many more gifts, and AMAZING home made enchiladas from the Papazians at Aunt Kathy's house...I only have the following pictures to share. I guess I was having to much fun for photography. At least you get to see Noah and his NEW Billabong Jacket.

New Jacket = New Attitude

(apparently)

Playing with Dada

Noah loves the "Baa" ball. He spent the first half of our evening on Aunt Kathy and Uncle George's Pickleball Court chasing the Baa's

Happy Birthday Jesus!

May you experience God's Peace, Joy and Love throughout this Christmas Season and through 2010!

With Christian Love,

Eric, Lindsay, Noah and Duke (Arf!)

Loving My Family

Today was a busy day. I feel like I must have done more today than I usually do in a week. Don't worry, I am not about to bore you with my to-do-list accomplishments. What I am doing is telling you a little bit about why I love my family.

Our son is 15 months. He is a hand full in the greatest way. Over the last few days he has been perfecting his walking abilities. He is no pro, but he is doing well...my messy house proves it! Noah walks like a drunkard. He wobbles, trips often, he walks right through things and forgets to duck under others. One thing he does do well is walking straight to mama for hugs, often. I love it!

This is DUKE. You all probably forgot we had a dog. I used to be obsessed with him and even used his photo for our Christmas card one year. Well, I am still obsessed. Duke is the very best dog. He likes to sleep...and sleep but more than anything, he LOVES his ball and to play fetch. So, even though he is sometimes slobbery, (sorry Kevin for the slobber attack at the station today) he is still the very best dog and one of my best friends!

It doesn't hurt that he is super loving and adorable either.

I have had a few nightmares lately. I am sure many (probably most) moms have them. The kind that involve your children being injured or worse. It is the most horrible thing to dream of. Eric always reminds me that it is my fear of loosing the good things in my life and it has no hold on what will happen. I know that's true, but sometimes is just feels so real. Noah is truly the most kind, sweet and sensitive little guy and that makes me worry even more.

God, please protect Noah's little (big) heart. I know he will have to feel pain some day both physical and emotional. I just ask you to hold it in your hands and use all my fears for his benefit. Help him to be strong when he needs to be, help him to stand up for what is right and to show others your love. Lord, I pray you mold him to be a REAL man and learn from his father. Please keep his beautiful body safe and healthy. Please prepare my heart and and my head for all that he will do in life...I know it will be great!

I am sorry it was such a cold evening, your little red nose and unhappy face just make me want to hug you.

No matter how busy we are (like my day today)...I love my family!

O Christmas Tree

 

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!
Thou tree most fair and lovely!

 

 

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!

Thou has a wondrous message:

 

 

Thou dost proclaim the Savior's birth,
Good will to men and peace on earth.

 

O Christmas tree, O Christmas tree!
Thou has a wondrous message:

 

We are ready to celebrate...not much longer...

Happy Birthday Jesus!

Free Days at Knott's Berry Farm!

Until Dec 20th Knott's Berry Farm is offering free admission for Police and Fire Personnel!
2009 Deal
 
http://www.knotts.com/public/admission/prices/deals.cfm

Eric, Noah and I decided to take advantage of this great offer. We met our good friends the Fasullos with friend Kate, the Tweets (including the very pregnant and glamorous Natalie), as well as Matt and Nathan Kabota to explore the possibilities this theme park could offer a family with little ones.

The kiddie section is great! Just about all the rides were suitable for little ones (2 and under). Though Eric's knees were screaming, he put on a happy face and rode every ride with Noah. It may not look it, but I promise Noah was happy!

Last year I slacked on taking the "first Santa picture". I know, bad mom. Honestly, time just flew by and Noah was so tiny last year...I hadn't made it to a mall...actually, I don't know that I have been to a mall since Noah was born! So there are my excuses. This year, we made it to see Santa Clause.

Before Daddy Leaves

(Daddy handing Noah a snack to try and keep his attention off the BIG man in the RED suit with the SCARY beard)

Though food is usually a great distraction for our GOOD eater...

...this time it didn't work!

Another great shot of Noah and his friend PORTER

The day flew by and it got chilly, but we stayed to watch the lighting of the Tree.

BEST MEMORY:

Noah stood watching the song/dance on stage while holding onto my pant leg. It took me a second to realize he was gone, then I noticed he decided to walk up to the stage. All of us stood there watching him as he stared up at the stage, walked towards it, walked between other people, zombie like, and didn't even sway or stumble for at least 15 feet! We talked about that for the rest of the night. He is almost 15 months and still only walking on very rare occations. This was one of the first.

Peesh!

The Beach

I asked Noah, "where is our favorite place?"

Noah answers, "Peesh"

Just more proof that he is Daddy's boy!

OVER TIRED?

After a long (free) day at Knotts Berry Farm...

Noah rested his head while we ate dinner.

The quality of these photos are so are bad, thats what my cell phone gives me. But really, over tired and still happy! He just kept laying his head down. Noah always finds a way to make us laugh!

A Hockey Family

Hockey is in his blood.

I come from a HOCKEY FAMILY.

My Dad and Uncle played ice hockey since they were kids, probably on some frozen pond back in Philly, and they still play ice and roller hockey. They taught their boys to play, (coached every team!) and now they all play together. I grew up going to hockey games all my life, at least two a week. I learned to make up skits and dances in the "warm" room while the boys were practicing or warming up. When the game started my sister, mother and I would cheer them on as if it were a yelling match (all good proper words, of course). My sister and I even brought pompoms to show our spirit. Our wardrobe was half hockey titled and we knew what food and restaurants we could beg for at each rink location (the orange Julius was a favorite at the Norwalk rink!).

As time went on we were lucky enough to have the chance to play ourselves. I me "us" as the GIRLS. My sister played, I played two or three seasons, and I hear that my mother played one time back when she and my father were dating. When we were good we would get to go see the KINGS! The Ducks were not around then, and it was at the Forum. We loved it!

My father (Pop-pop) is very excited to give Noah his first skating lessons. We even have skates waiting in the garage to fit his tiny feet! In order to get him accustomed to the Hockey atmosphere Pop-pop and I took Noah to his first NHL game.

Anaheim Ducks vs. Chicago Blackhawks

Keeping warm

keeping active between periods

We had to leave during the third period because Noah was DONE. I can't believe he made it that long though! (hopefully the people around us will not hate kids forever)

 

We might be a HOCKEY family again some day. 

 

 

 

We Are Thankful!

We are thankful for our family. That includes the extended family, the silly Cousins, loving Grandparents, everyone! We like them for many reasons, one of which is that they are all great cooks and they like to eat just as much as we do!

Thanksgiving Feast

We are thankful to have each other. To have someone to love, enjoy life with, to share our faith with, and to challenge each other.

The love of my life!

 Every good thing wrapped up in the cutest package ever...is our NOAH!

 

We hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving,

and

BRING ON CHRISTMAS!

Wordless Wednesday

Deep Breath...

{{ HAPPINESS }}

My Friend Porter

 

I have many friends and Porter is one of my best! 

He and I have some special things in common. Our moms our buddies, we are good sleepers, we share all our clothes, our daddy's are firemen, and September is our birth month, as well as both our moms'. Most importantly though, we share a special kind of JOY.

 

I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart

Where?

(not in the tunnels)

Down in my heart!

Where?

 (not just in my kisses)

Down in my heart!

I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart

Down in my heart to stay

 

I've got the love of Jesus in my heart.

 

Down in my heart to stay

  

...And if the Devil doesn't like it
He can sit on a tack!