Our North Conway Vacation!

We had sooo much fun this year going to North Conway. We had a big group. It was us 4, Nana and Papa, Uncle Mark, his girlfriend Steph and her daughter, Brittanie, and the Nolan's (Diane, Kevin, Michael and Ally).  That makes 13 under one roof!  It was crazy at times but all in all, a memorable vacation! 
This was a second year going to Stroyland and Santa's Village.  Both are really great places for the kids and they love it!  Its like Disney for them!! 

We stayed in a condo complex that had a pool so that was nice to go to on our down days.

This was Mikey's favorite ride. he got to actually drive the car!

Mikey is loving the rides this year!  Even more than last year!

Mikey, Michael, Ally and Ben!

The on-lookers! (Kevin, Will, Mark & Steph)

lol! i love this pic!  Mikey at the circus enjoying a big hunk of cotton candy!!

Nana and Papa enjoying a nice ride from Mikey!

I was so impressed with Mikey and this ride.  He loves rides but not anything that looks like a roller coaster.  Well, he went on this one and loved it!!

Ally and Ben - Vacation best buds!

Well, we can't go a whole week without an accident!  All the kiddos were running around and Ben tripped and fell on the corner of the couch.  He instantly got a huge bump on his forehead,  It was the worst I have seen.  Nana dutifully got up every 2 hours through the night to check on him to make sure he was all right.  He ended up getting some bruising but was just fine!!

Uncle Mark with Steph and Brittanie

Papa and Ben at the train museum.  Last year Ben went and got a train conductor hat, which he wore non stop for a few months after. he has since out grown it so they had to make a return visit to get a new one!!

Ben's 1st Red Sox Game!

(You can click on the picture to make it bigger)

Every year for the past 3 years Will has gotten me Pavillion seat Red Sox Tickets.  They are truly awesome seats and perfect for kids.  We have a bar we sit at and a waitress that stops by often.  We have taken Mikey the past 2 years.  This year, Mikey showed no interest in going as he claims it "too loud".  Crazy, right?!  So, Ben was all about going with us and I was excited to take him. 

This kid was EXCITED the day of the game!!  We really talked it up, got all decked out in our Red Sox gear and hit the road. 

We parked and the whole walk to the stadium, Ben was literally jumping up and down!  He loved the game, the crowd and the music.  He loved even watching the game (for short spurts!).  He was just beaming the entire time and it was a joy to have him come with us. 

When we told Mikey how much fun we had, Mikey said that maybe he will go next year....  We'll see!

Cute boys!

I got the kiddos dressed to go out and decided to take a little time and go in the back yard to take some pictures.  They have really impressed me with how well they are willing to smile and stay still for photos.  They also love taking "crazy faces" pictures and doing funny things.  Here are a few from the day.

Carolyn's Senior Prom

My brother, Joey has been with his girlfriend, Carolyn, for just over a year now.  She has been a sweet addition to the family. Back in June was her Senior Prom and she and Joey looked amazing. I had to share!!

Mother's Day

I swear, I think Mother's Day might be one of my favorite days of the year!!  I always get so spoiled and my day is filled with family and love.  This year my mom was off traveling on the back of a Harley through the Mountains in Tennessee!!  She had her own fun, that's for sure!!  (Did you guys know my mom, A.K.A. Mimi, has turned into a biker chick?!??!!)  I should get a picture of her and my dad all dressed up in their biker gear and post it!! 

Anyways, we went out with The McGowan clan to a really nice breakfast brunch. It was a beautiful day and the food was delicious! 

Doesn't Nana look like she is in heaven? (That's because she is!)

Ben is 3!

April 27th was Ben's 3rd birthday. Will and i were so excited for his birthday. We both went in his room to wake him up and wish him happy birthday and give him big hugs and kisses.  We were expecting a kid full of smiles and happy faces....but, we were greeted with crying and "No, its not my birthday!".  I knew right away what was wrong.

So, for a few months prior to his birthday i have been trying to talk up the whole potty training thing.  I would explain it and I always said "When you're 3....".  This kid has never shown interest in the potty and still to this day has no interest.  So, when we woke him and said "You're 3!!!!" he flipped!  Poor kid!  The entire day he wanted nothing to do with his birthday. Even after I told him over and over that he doesn't have to use the potty, he still wanted nothing to do with it!!! 

A few days later we had the family party at the house and he came around a little.  He still was never excited to be 3. 

Ooops!  My fault.  BAD Mommy!

Ben with his Godparents (Uncle Joey and Auntie Juli)

Mommy's new favorite restaurant!!

Ahhh!  Plaza Azteca.  My new love!!  My Mexican dream place!!  As most of you know i can live on mexican food.  It has been my number one type of food for as long as I can remember.  I base a mexican restaurant on their chips and salsa and refried beans.  Steph told me about this place and said we should check it out.  So, we did and now I am hooked!!  Its such a neat place and very entertaining!  They serve margarittas as you wait, live music that travel around the restaurant and get you moving and shaking and they also have a balloon guy that makes crazy things with balloons.  Anyone thats around my way,, go check it out!!  Its in salem, NH on Rte. 28.  Yummm-o!

 lol!!  Mikey is not a fan of the music.  "it's too loud" is what he always says.  So, we have Ben loving the beat and Mikey pouting and covering his ears!!

Children's Museum

Boston really does have the best Children's Museum.  It is so big and so mnay new and exciting things to do.  The boys love this place and its alwasy such an adventure for them to go into the city.  Here are just  a few of the many activities that they ahve for the kids.  Ben could spend the day in the ball room and the construction room.  Mikey is more of a climber and active activities kid.

Family Ski Vacation!!

In February we went for a week up to North Conway to ski!  Mikey even tried out skiing for the first time and liked it!  We had such a great week.  Will's parents rented this Bed and Breakfast place that was huge and just perfect for everyone that came up. 

 We always play lots of games on vacation!!

 Mikey and Mommy at the ski lodge having lunch!

 Ben inhaling a delicious burger! 

 Mikey skiing with Papa!

 My handsome little skier!

 Breakfast with nana!

The Nolans came up for part of the week too!  Mikey is with his cousin Michael! 



Skating!!

So, for my cousin Stephanie's birthday, she decided she wanted to go to the skating rink.  I was all excited to go.  I have had my original roller blades from 7th grade in our basement and i have been really wanting to use them and see if I could still do it.  Roller Blading used to be an every weekend hangout spot for myself and 5 other of my best friends from Tennessee.  So, i dug them out, dusted them off and tried them on.  They fit!

Will wasn't too excited to go as he was never into roller skating/blading or anything on ice!  Needless to say, he was less than thrilled to be there!

And for good reason!  He ended up falling and breaking his wrist!  He was in a cast for a couple of months. once he got the cast off, he started physical therapy and bang, he snapped his tendon located in his thumb.  He had surgery to repair it and back in a splint and cast and then another weird looking contraption.  Crazy!  needless to say, 6 months later he is on his way to being back to normal.  he still has a ways to go to strengthen his muscles back but he is heading in the right direction! 

Thanks Steph for a great night!!  lol!!

Snowed In

On one of our many "snowed in" snow days, the boys and I decided to take pictures!  Here are a few!

Lots of Snow!!

Oh we had sooo much snow here in New Englnad this winter season and Mikey and Ben LOVED getting all dressed and going out to play in it. Bailey liked it too!  Boy oh boy was it a lot of work for me!  Getting those 2 dressed and undressed and then the cleanup from all the snow brought it the house was not something i liked!  It was all worth it though seeing them have such a great time running around, throwing snow balls and making snow angels!!