Macy's Light Show

After the Comcast event, we went to Macy's and checked out the light show. When I worked at the building next to Macy's, I used to avoid going near it around this time of year. So many crowds and kids made getting anywhere practically impossible. While crowded, it had new meaning getting to share it with Brian and Colton. We found a comfy spot on the floor and Colton sat through most of it. He enjoyed seeing the train image the most. It was a fun event, but I would challenge Macy's to up their game and make any future shows something to ooohhh and aawww about.

The Comcast Holiday Light Show

We have heard really great things about the Comcast light show, so we made a day of it and went down to the city to see what it was all about. It is a free show that plays every hour on the hour for 15 minutes. The lobby was packed with families with little kids staring at the wall of video screens. While we know it is free, we must admit that it was kind of underwhelming. It was fun family activity, and Colton did like the huge moon when it came on the screen, but we thought it could have been a lot more exciting. It could be that the excitement and interactivity the iPad and iPhone brings us makes everything else just a little less exciting.

Meeting Rose & Nash Doman

Rose and Nash came into the world on October 19th, 2011. They were 10 weeks early and spent 6 weeks in the NICU. Yesterday was their actual due date and they are now home and topping the scales at over 6 lbs each. We didn't get to see them for very long while we were in Pittsburgh, but they were even more precious and adorable in person. We are in love.

The National Aviary

I have very fond memories of my dad taking my brother and I to the aviary in Pittsburgh. The aviary today is nothing like it was back then. It has been updated and upgraded and was so much fun. Colton loves animals and was excited to see so many up close in person compared to just reading about them in his books. We saw toucans, pelicans, owls, penguins, parrots and so many others both large and small. It was a nice activity to share with my parents, David, Ellen, and the kids.

Nun Bowling

We found this fun little game called, Nun Bowling. It is one of those games you see at the check out counter. Since my mom is an ex-nun along with some of her friends, we couldn't pass it up. Above is my mom and her ex-nun friend, Pat, playing the game. My mom had a sinfully fun time and knocked them all down.

Merry Christmas 2011

We celebrated Christmas in the Burgh this year. We had been looking forward to it - seeing family and friends, continuing traditions, relaxing, and getting to see Colton open up his presents. It was a fun visit.

We enjoyed Christmas eve with my mom's side of the family. We had fried shrimp and homemade raviolis - a tradition continued by my cousin Kathy. We were able to have it at a bar, now called, Someone Else's Bar. It used to be the bar owned by my cousins. It was fun to be back there watching the kids play like we used to play when we were younger.

Colton had lots of presents this year. Santa brought him one special gift - the drum above. He seems to enjoy music, so Santa wanted to encourage his exploration of making music. Colton was showered with gifts from his grandparents, family, and friends. He says, "tink tink." Translation - thank you.

Dinner with the Parks

Michael and Tracey had us over their new home for dinner this past weekend. We had a delicious meal and a great time. They recently built their home and it is gorgeous and enormous. Colton and Caroline had a great time playing with each other and I believe there may have been a first hug/kiss.

Doggie Rehab

Val's left hind leg has been bothering her for quite some time. She has been limping for probably over a year. The vet won't do surgery because she has a heart condition, so we opted to do some doggie rehab because we can't stand to see her in pain or uncomfortable. She gets water and laser therapy twice a week and Brian and I have to massage and stretch her leg twice daily. We know this will help her and it is special time we get to have with Val every day.

Dinner at the Earharts

As always, dinner at the Earharts' didn't disappoint. My friend Christina is a great cook and made a cioppino (fish stew). It was different and absolutely delicious. The boys enjoyed playing with each other and Colt loved all the new toys at his fingertips. It was a great time.

Trains & Ferns

The day after Thanksgiving, the holiday train exhibit at Morris Arboretum opened. We took advantage of the beautiful weather and enjoyed watching Colton in awe of all the trains that passed by. He loved the noise they made as they disappeared in the distance and then reappeared around the corner. We also visited a little greenhouse filled with all types of ferns. Colt touched some of them and enjoyed looking at the big fish in the pond.

Thanksgiving 2011

We had yet another year of thanks. Thankful for our health, having each other, our family, our jobs, and of course our two loves Val and Colton. Uncle Jimmy came to celebrate Thanksgiving with us. We hosted it and Bob, Mary, Ava, Luke, and Mr. Kenney joined us. I wish we could have Thanksgiving everyday.

Santa & Mrs. Claus Visit

Colton got to meet Santa and Mrs. Claus and as you can see, he was ecstatic. He could barely contain his excitement.

Mark & Beth - 11-12-11

Mark and Beth tied the knot on 11-12-11 in Charlotte, NC. It was a beautiful wedding and reception. Pictured above - the happy couple and Stephanie and me.

Celebrating and Conquering

Our long-time, good friend of the family (Mark) was getting married in Charlotte, NC. I only made the trip to NC. Brian held down the fort with Val & Colton back home. I believe Mark met his soon-to-be-wife (Beth) at the U.S. National Whitewater Center when he was working there. He wanted to make sure all of his out of town guests got to experience it, so he set up a fun morning for us the day of the wedding. It was an incredible day. My brother Dave, our neighbor growing up (Tony), his wife (Angie), and my cousin Josh all went. We went zip lining, we jumped off the side of a tall ledge, we did an incredibly frightening ropes course walking over 70 foot canyons on a rope, and we conquered our fears.

2nd Generation

My sorority sister Katie and her husband Andy hosted a get-together at their new home on Saturday. It was long overdue since the original date was supposed to be a BBQ on the evening of the hurricane. Devon & Tim, Kelli & Eric, and Kim, Ryan, & the girls also joined us. We had pulled pork, mac & cheese, and everyone brought a side dish or something good to eat. Andy had the fun idea of everyone bringing a case of interesting beer. At the end of the night we mixed them all up and everyone left with a mixture of beers they probably would have never bought before. Now we can try and see if we like them. The kids had a blast together playing with new friends, new toys, and dancing. Pictured above are the 2nd generation of friends - Kimmie's (Molly & Sophia), Katie's (AJ & Will), and ours (Colton).

Happy Halloween 2011

Brian and I carved our pumpkins this year as Colton ran around the table. When we were just about done, we had Colton put his hand in to touch the seeds and gunk. He liked putting the pumpkin seeds in his mouth.

For Halloween, Colton was a lemur. I had no idea what it was either, but apparently it is a primate from the island of Madagascar. It was our neighbor's and free, so we went with it. Colton actually loved being a lemur. Despite his fever, he loved being dressed up and playing with the tail. We went to one house across the street and spent the rest of the night handing out candy.

The Irish Try Italian

My Nonnie's pizza has always been a crowd pleaser. When my Nonnie would cook it, our neighbors would flock to our house to get a taste. You could smell how delicious it was all the way down the street. It felt like the perfect time to make it so we invited Brian's family over to enjoy. I had a vision of everyone around the dining room table making their own pizza and putting on their own special toppings, but that didn't really pan out. While Brian and I made the dough and the sauce & most of the pizzas, I made Ava and the crew pose for this one. The pizzas were good - not as good as my Nonnie's, but it was fun nonetheless.

Morris Arboretum with Devon

We went to Morris Arboretum with my friend Devon to see the scarecrow walk and enjoy the beautiful Fall day. We walked all over and caught up on our lives. The scarecrow walk was super creative - this was our favorite.

Pumpkin Patch

Brian, Colton and I picked out our pumpkins at a local farm. Colt wouldn't sit still for a picture in the pumpkin patch, so we did the best we could to reenact the pumpkin scarecrow photo. I can't believe how different our little guy looks after one year.

Stone Harbor 2011

My grandparents started the tradition years ago. For years my dad's side of the family would vacation at Stone Harbor for a week or two. There were 14 of us then, and I remember my cousins and I talking about how we will make sure we continue the tradition someday. This is year 6 of the "adult cousin" tradition continuing . We used to all fit in one house, but not at 27, we have 3 separate houses. But our vacation activities are pretty much the same - the only big difference is now watching all our kids do all the things we did as kids. Stone Harbor is all about bike riding, riding in the ocean waves, enjoying the pool, playing in the sand, charades, family dinners, the point, Springer's ice cream, and just hanging out with the family. It is the best vacation and what makes it even more special is our grandma is still there beside us. She and my grandpa created an awesome bond that will hopefully continue on for many years to come.