Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Christmas 2011

Christmas pics!!
Logan made a book for Santa, and

we made sure to leave out Santa's cookies and mild along with veggies for the reindeer!

On Christmas morning, we found this by the fireplace!



The boys were in agony waiting at the top of the stairs.  Lyndon likes to go down before them and turn on the lights and get the coffee started for us addicts.  It is, after all, really early!!





Nana and Papa got a little something from Santa this year!






The boys got the things they asked Santa for.  We put a limit of two items each this year for Santa.  I was proud of the boys, they kept it simple and easy for the big guy!  They also got some fun goodies from Nana and Papa and Mom and Dad! 

After dinner nap! 

AND...we finished this miserable puzzle!! Let me just tell you that we started it two years ago when we stayed with my parents for Christmas.  My mom actually kept what we had done in place on one of those felt mats and brought the damn thing with her so we could finish it.  I think we will now set it on fire! 
Here is hoping you and your family had a wonderful Christmas! 

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Christmas Eve!

  
Day 24 was spent preparing for all of the festivities of tomorrow!  We started the day by laying out this ridiculously difficult puzzle that my mom insists must be put together before she leaves...not going to happen.  We also wrapped gifts, and most importantly attended the Christmas Eve service at our church!  


Logan put out food for the reindeer!
The boys also baked some cookies for a very important visitor! Logan felt the need to watch to oven.
One of Santa's favorites!
And, we were sure to read Twas the Night Before Christmas before hitting the bed for a good night's rest!  The boys were a bit on the wild side tonight, so we had to just throw in the towel on a movie or any other activities.  We figured sleep was what they really needed at this point!  They both received letters from Santa stating that they were on the good list, but after today, we aren't so sure! 
Here is to hoping Santa visits you!!

Day 20-23 (Logan and Luke)

While Lyndon and I were away for a few days, my mom was kind enough to take pics of the boys' Christmas activities for us!! Here is what they were doing!



Day 20 was picking up Papa at the airport! 



Day 21 was making these super cute ornaments!

 Day 22 was a visit to the Billy Graham Library to see the live nativity and take a ride on the horse-drawn carriages!  Nana told me they were all over the place and had a great time!

I believe day 23 was spent at the mall doing a little Christmas shopping.  We don't have pics of that, but I think they tore up South Park mall!  Of course, the most important part of all of this is that the boys simply got to spend time with Nana and Papa!  What could be better than being spoiled rotten by grandparents??

A special thanks to my mom and dad for rearranging their schedules so Lyndon and I could spend a few days away!  It was the perfect time to recharge our batteries before the new year begins!


Day 20-23 (Lyndon and Laura)!

Ok, I am a bit behind but for good reason.  Lyndon and I left on day 20 for a quick get-away and left the boys with Nana and Papa!  We returned to Kennebunkport, Maine where we spent our honeymoon!  I know.  This seems like a strange place to spend a honeymoon, but we really wanted a quiet, romantic spot that was really dressed up for Christmas.  Plus, we were hoping for snow.  We got a ton while there for our actual honeymoon 7 years ago, but we missed out on it this year.  Anyway, we were excited to spend some time away together and celebrate the last 7 years which have been full of surprises and excitement including three moves and two kids!  This time around, we did a bit more sight-seeing.  We drove into Freeport, Portland, Salem and Boston! 
Downtown Kennebunkport! For those of you who know Lyndon, just think The Village, and you will understand why this place is so appealing!



Love this!  This is what I need for directions instead of GPS!


One of the great Bed & Breakfasts in Kennebunkport!

I want this car!

It may be difficult to see the dates on the houses above and below, but they were built in the late 1700's!  Not only are they still standing, but they are still occupied!  

  We were lucky enough to book the same room in the same bed and breakfast that we stayed at 7 years ago!  The place is the Captain Lord Mansion, and it is truly one of the most beautiful places I have had the privilege of staying! 

The above pic is from a post card featuring the mansion.  I have some pics I took, but they just don't do it justice!  I also added some pics of us from our actual honeymoon below...

December 2004
I was a blond then and had horrible bangs.  Lyndon actually had hair!  One thing that has not changed is that coat.  That is the same black coat I had on this year's trip.  I will say that it was fitting a little more snug this time around!

On our honeymoon, we drove up the coast and looked at some incredible light houses.  It was COLD!  Lyndon had to beg me to stand outside the car for this pic!

This time was not nearly as cold, so we walked around outside more.  We visited the DeLorme outside Portland which houses this gigantic glob that actually keeps the same rotation as the earth! 

We also took some suggestions from friends and stopped at a couple of Irish pubs and wine bars in downtown Portland! It was pouring rain, so we did not get to see as much of the actual city this time around.

This is The Wine Bar on Wharf Street (just so you know, Wharf Street is not on the wharf).  We had some yummy wine and talked to the owner for a bit about her resident ghost! 

We also looked for witches in Salem!


The first church in Salem!




This is a great museum that tells the story of the Salem Witch Trials very well.  We should have known that not much was going to be open regarding witch tours and such because it is considered off season, but we did manage to find a few places to visit.  We even walked into one store and overheard the clerk giving someone very clear instructions on how to cast a spell...Salem did not disappoint!

After some time in Salem, we took off for Boston.  This is a great city that has a ton of history, just not a lot of parking!  We finally gave in and paid a ridiculous amount to park for a few hours while we got in the last bit of day light.
 We walked all over downtown and found our way to Faneuil Park where we took up the Freedom Trail.





Inside the Old North Church!


We managed to see three of the historic sights on the trail before it got so dark we could not see anything anymore.  Next time, we will have to start at the beginning!

Paul Revere's house!

Boston skyline!