Post Christmas at the beach

Last year at the beach, I posted pictures of the boys swimming in the ocean (in wetsuits). Two years ago, I posted pictures of us on a boat ride in shorts. Every year, I post pictures of us paddleboarding.

Not this year. It was C-O-L-D at the beach. I am not just talking chilly, but like 20 degrees with a wind chill of 7 every day. That kind of cold. The kind of cold that you just don't want to leave your house.

We made the most of it and had a fun time, even if it wasn't ideal weather. Crappy weather at the beach is better than most weather anywhere else, I'd say.

We did a whole lot of lounging, which was nice. We even took Cal's x-box which is like sacrilegious to me - the beach should be a break from that thing. But I will go on the record to say I am so so glad we did. It was too cold outside. Did I mention that?

Eddie and the boys decided to do a "polar bear plunge." I use that term loosely because they ran to my parents house, maybe 300 yards, and jumped in the HOT TUB, and then ran home. It was about 30 when they did this though. Here is Andy, ready to run:

 I bundled up in all the layers, took this picture and then high tailed it home. burrrr. But they were super cute:

 When they got home, they showered to warm up and then Andy perused a picture book by the fire.

One day, everyone was crawling the walls, so we went to a fun arcade/bowling place. They served beer.

 It was a perfect outing for all of us! Much needed!

See? Beer:

 Some of our CH friends were down at the beach too, so we coordinating meeting up with them. The kids all got along so well, which was great!

 A gorgeous sunset on the way home.

Mimi got a new vacuum while we were there and the boys found much entertainment with the box. It was such a good box that Andy begged to bring said box home with us. He colored the inside and called it his most favorite fort ever. 

 There is a marina in the neighborhood and some great climbing trees- the boys spent quite a while up in the trees.

They collected some "firewood" they were going to sell to neighbors. 

All that collecting is hard work. We came in and got comfy after dinner to watch all the football. 

And we fell asleep-

Bruce got closer and closer until he was nestled into Andy's foot. 

 Must not smell too bad...

 More snuggles the next morning. Bruce got a LOT of attention.

Back to check on the firewood. 

 Still there.

Eddie "bought" some of the fire wood and attempted a fire in the backyard. The wind was whipping though and it was way too cold out there. 

So we went to a bar with some friends instead. And on New Years Eve, we went over to a friends house from 4-9 to celebrate...and we were all asleep by 10:30! Not mad about it!

This was the sound as we were leaving: white capped and mad as hell. 

We came home on Monday, ready to send kids to school Tuesday, but there was a delay because of cold temps. They went on Wednesday and were released early because of imminent snow. They did not go on Thursday because of snow. And if I am a betting woman, they will not go on Friday because said snow will melt and then freeze. We shall see.



 

Christmas Day + Reindeer Games

We told everyone we would hold the kids off until 7am Christmas morning in order to give the people not sleeping at our house time to get there for the opening of gifts. By 6:45, there was no holding them back. We had to release the beasts. (side note: I can't sleep on Christmas Eve, ever. I never have been able to. I am up multiple times throughout the night, unable to sleep...just too excited. I know, I know. It's ridiculous. All that to say- I was up and ready long before they were...).

The kiddos came running down and immediately hopped on their new bikes. I love a bike Christmas- makes the fireplace look so good to have bikes flanking it. 

Cal went up a size in his bike (both needed new ones because old ones were beat to pieces, but Cal needed new and bigger). It looks HUGE. Not sure I am ready to have a kid on a bike this size. sigh. 

 The morning was spent opening presents and eating- I made a YUMMY breakfast casserole that was gobbled up. I might need to make again.... and playing with presents. Bruce got this cow... well it was a cow.... until he tore it to shreds. He loved it. Hence the smile.

 After a chill morning, we went over to my parents house for reindeer games. We did this last year with just our family, but one of my mom's friends heard about it and wanted in- they have a big family and live right down the road from my mom. We knew my brother's family wouldn't be in town so this worked out perfectly! Our good friends in the neighborhood also came for some games. Tshirts were worn, along with hats....and mustaches.

 The best part about the games is that even the parents participate. Everyone gets SO into it. It is very much a drinking game as much as it is a baseball game.

 It was coooooold out there! Last year, I have a picture of me and Eddie and he is in a short sleeved shirt. Not this year!!!

The two grandmas got into the fireball and champagne....! hahaha

It was an intense game that came down to the very last inning....

 Cheers to the Reindeer Games!

We had a great Christmas dinner after everyone went home and we all went to bed early. A big day filled with fresh air and drinking and we were spent.

Merry merry for sure!





 

End of 2017 Book Report

Since I have been slacking in my posts, I have four books to share in this report...

I read If You Only Knew last month and loved, loved, loved it.... so I read another book by that author this month:
On Second Thought

I didn't realize it, but I am really glad I read these in this order- there are some characters that reappear in the second book that I got to meet in the first book and it was good to know their history.  I found a lot of humor in this book, even though there is sadness too.  I really enjoyed it!

After I Do

I have read several books by this author and really liked them. This was a good read too! A couple has been married for several years and start taking each other for granted, and realize they might not love each other any more. They agree to take a full year apart for each other; no calling, no texting, no emailing, nothing. All to try and figure out how they feel for one another. Honestly, I found parts of the book sort of depressing. But I was quickly sucked into this one and found myself thinking about it when I wasn't reading it. I wanted to know what they would do at the end, and what they would chose for their future. It was a good book!

Maybe Someday

Another great book by this author I have really enjoyed this year! I loved the characters in this book and really liked the way they were each described- their personalities were fun. I think one think about this author is she tends to write the names of the characters.....a lot. For example, if the two characters were talking, they would say:
C: Bruce, why are you going outside, Bruce?
B: I have to pee, Carrie. Are you going to take me outside, or do I have to take myself, Carrie?
C: I'll take you, Bruce, Can you wait, Bruce? I am here for you, Bruce, I will take you.

Obviously that is an exaggeration, but that's how it feels sometimes. Have any of y'all read her books and noticed this?

An Island Christmas

This book was an easy, no-brainer. It was pretty short and quick. Cute and fun setting... I love Nantucket, and it sounds so magical (and cold!) at Christmas. A wedding is taking place on the island during this Christmas... and a series of events happen around getting ready for that!


I need some suggestions to read in 2018! Any good books for me to read?? Send me suggestions! Also, have you read any of the books I have? I'd love to know what you thought!


 

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve fell on a Sunday this year, which was nice, other than me being utterly confused about the day/date all week long. The children's' service at church was during the 10:30 service, so they tied the pageant in with the regular service. I thought they did a wonderful job with it!

Up and ready to go by 10am on Christmas Eve:

 Bruce really thought he was getting to go too.... he wasn't.

We had some sweet stars in church:

 And Cal was quite the angel.

We went home after church and spent the day as little elves, then went over to my parents house for dinner and drinks and special visitors....

The Williamson fam:

This was so neat- Cal took over duties of reading Twas the night before Christmas to the family. I totally started to tear up, because this isn't a simple book to read (but then I caught Andy trying to steal a present and it made me crack up....)

Then, oh my WORD, Santa showed up!

Cal hopped up there first. 

 Then both boys...

Then Nug...

Andy followed Santa to the door and whispered in his ear, which we found out later he said, "Manning was really a great elf this year, can he come back again next year?"

Santa brought Cal that big mouth game.... where you put the huge plastic thing in it and try to say things. I tried it. It isn't cute. Or easy. Or flattering.

Next we moved in to the living room for carols...

Got a picture of Calvin Edwin II, III and IV.

Then Andy freaked the freak out that we were going to miss Santa. I mean bawling. He was so upset that he would come while we were gone and he would skip our house. I don't think he has ever gone to bed so quickly in his life.

As soon as both were asleep, Santa came, left boot marks and delivered his loot. 

It was a BIKE Christmas!