Despite being VERY sick for the two days leading up to Christmas, we had a great holiday celebration.
Presents piled under the tree.
The girls patiently wait to open gifts. Schuyler gets to work! Her "big" gift was the Kettler Trike. She loves it! The handle is great, so we can push her around until she masters the pedals.
Pepper poses with one of her stocking stuffers, baggies for outdoor cleanup...
En route to GJ and Grandpa's house, wearing her fur cape and matching elf hat. Scot and Wendy are visiting for the week, and it was wonderful to have the whole McMahon clan together to celebrate Christmas.
Schuyler turned two this weekend!! (And happy birthday Grampy!!! Schuyler and Grampy share the same birthday.) We threw a party to celebrate. I was too busy to take many pictures, but managed a few in any case...
Schuyler in a pile of presents. (I think she woke up with more hair on her birthday?!! We also think she hit a new level of verbal ability. Yesterday she told me that "Pepper is a dachshund" and she is really starting to string words together into short sentences. It is very cool.)
We managed to pack about 20 people into our little house and it didn't feel too crowded, this was the biggest crowd yet. Schuyler and Nick, both in red. Schuyler is sporting a fur collar, dress courtesy of CP. Schuyler right before bedtime, she insisted on looking at her activity book IN THE DARK when it was lights out time. The quilt was a gift from my father's former girlfriend Michele and I am touched she thought of us after so many years out of touch. (Thanks Wes for sending!)
Schuyler modeling her fur cape handmade for her by GJ (not pictured is the matching hat, complete with jingle bells). I don't think she could be any cuter.
Singing??? Making a funny face??? Just not sure on this one...
This weekend also marked baby Abbie's first birthday. Here she is grabbing for her first taste of frosting, she looks very intent on taking command of that cupcake! Schuyler and Chip reunited and sporting identical hairstyles (don't they look alike?) The Little People ride-on bus was a HUGE hit. Schuyler pushes Warren...
Then Abbie pushes Schuyler... And lots of fun was also had with the foam alphabet puzzle.
The other big news of the weekend was the arrival of the new puppy at the Stewards.
The quality of this video isn't super (and it is a little long/unexciting -- I need to work on the editing skills) but it will give you a taste of the cuteness.
Aerial view of the little guy.
What a face! Snuggling with Rich.
The name still hadn't been finalized as of last night, but I believe they are leaning towards 'Marley'. Schuyler has taken to calling him 'Jammers', however (long story). We still need to arrange a meeting with Pepper...
Finally, HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAMANTHA!!!! I can't believe you are going to be in college next year, the time goes by fast...
The weekend was full of Christmas celebration and preparation
Pepper and Schuyler hanging out on the couch. Pepper HATES the antlers.
We put up the first of two Christmas trees -- this one is our 'kids tree' in the finished basement. All the crazy ornaments we've amassed over the years go on it.
For example, the aliens occupy a special place on the kids tree...Schuyler felt they needed a candy cane as well.
We started a new Christmas tradition this year ; we cut down our own Christmas tree. There's a little, mostly word-of-mouth tree farm right down the street from us on 6A. It was great. You can actually come and tag a tree any time of the year and watch it grow. Schuyler was funny; she kept asking us to turn the tree on! I guess she thinks the Christmas lights grown on the trees...
Here it is in our living room.
Schuyler is a big help while Rich secures the tree in the stand (I'm surprised Pepper isn't climbing all over him also).
Next we made it to the Christmas party at HYC to see not only Santa but also a magician.
Schuyler did okay with Santa, though she wanted no part of sitting on his lap! (An earlier attempt at seeing Santa last week was a teary failure.)
Hanging out with the Christmas decorations.
Schuyler decides that sleeping under the Christmas tree skirt is the perfect way to end such a busy day.
Last weekend (actually, two weekends ago) we did the Hyannis harbor lighting and then had a quick drink at The Island Merchant - Michael was playing and Schuyler wanted in on the action. Of course, I had my camera at the ready...
We lunched w/Carter, Michael, and Tara at Hyannisport Club recently. What a beautiful spot, I hadn't been inside since Mom and Dennis had their wedding reception in 1985... After lunch, we stretched our legs upstairs.
Schuyler and Rich like to 'practice jumping'. Here he is getting some air.
Schuyler stops for a split second for a picture.
The day before, we were lucky enough to catch up with newlyweds Jesse and Eileen for lunch at Clancy's in Dennis, another scenic spot.
Presents piled under the tree.
The girls patiently wait to open gifts.
Schuyler gets to work!
Her "big" gift was the Kettler Trike. She loves it! The handle is great, so we can push her around until she masters the pedals.
