What Have Wii Been Up To?

Thanks to Aunt Dana and Uncle Nate, we got a Wii for Christmas. So we've been breaking it in a little. At this point, we're becoming experts with Wii Sports before we invest in a new game, but that'll be coming soon I believe, b/c Jackson's pretty much mastered every sport. He's really interested in getting the new Lego Indiana Jones 2 game (we'll be lucky to find it).

Jeremy wins in boxing - he gets a tad excited!

Then Jackson's like, "oooo, Dad can jump pretty high, I better see if I can jump higher!" (because you know the Wii brings out the competitor in even the most mild-mannered kiddos!)

Baseball - funny how my Mii looks just like me!

Jackson bowling another STRIKE!

Jeremy boxing again - I think he almost hurt himself playing this game!

Then there's Jude - not really into the Wii, but totally into his microphone and guitar; his favorite song to sing? The Doobie Brothers' Listen to the Music. He sings, "1-2 ah 1-2-3, Whoa whoa, listen to the moogik, sing wit me."

Good Times

We had a really great time for Christmas. On Christmas Eve, we took the kids to McDonald's for breakfast (I know it doesn't sound exciting, but it was fun), to church, and then to my parents for the traditional Polish Christmas Eve supper.

Christmas Day was a whirlwind of wrapping paper, visits, fun, and little bit of craziness on the side! We started @ our house, then to Grammy Linda and Pap Jerry's where we met the Cochos for dinner and a present-opening frenzy. Next we visited with G-Gram for a while. We ended up @ my parents house where we met Dana & Nate for supper, more present frenzy and a sleep-over. Wow! Pictures are much better at describing the day than me, so here:

Jackson got a big spaceship set


(don't ask why, but the boys are obsessed with moustaches)

This is a really cool book that can fold out into a firetruck that you can sit in - coolest thing!

Jude and Maddie did well taking turns with their gifts. I think Jude was more interested in Maddie's Strawberry Shortcake set than he was in any of his other toys.


Ah! The boys and their Legos - we should be part owners in the company since we buy so much of it.

Jackson helping Jude open a present @ Ga-Ga's. Their big gift from Aunt Dana and Uncle Nate was a Wii - oh boy! We set it up @ my parents and everyone (even Ga Ga) played a little!

So now that the holiday is over, it's time to recover and relax. We have the entire week off this week to play and spend time together. Although we don't have any set plans, we have some ideas for activities - stay posted for photos.

Thanks to our families for the wonderful holiday and super-yummy food and the many gifts. We are so grateful that we can spend Christmas with both of our families :)

Holiday Break is in Full Swing

I can hardly believe my Christmas break is here! 2 whole weeks off - what trouble can I get in to? It's been snowing here since early this morning, so we're spending the day at home. I took the boys out into the snow for a little while this morning - enjoy the photos! I've been baking Christmas cookies for most of the day. What's next? Only time will tell.

Jackson, my big helper

Only a few snow balls today

Jude trying out some December snow Jude helped me clean off my car

1st ride of the year (I'm sure it's not the last)

The 1st of Many Holiday Activities

We went on a Santa Train ride today in Roaring Spring. It was an hour-long train ride with a visit from Santa, a bag of treats, and carolers! We had such a blast we can't wait to do it again next year.

Momma with Jude waiting to board the train

Jackson and Jude standing next to car #3 - our car!

Dad and the boys by the caboose - still waiting to board!

What does Jude see? What could it be? Could it be......

SANTA!!!! (I know him)!

Poor Santa did have some competition for the boys' attention - a field of John Deere tractors - whoa!

OMG - look @ these 2 cuties!

Jude was very interested in the goodie bag Santa gave out. It included one of his favorites - Lollipops!

LOVE this photo of us!


The trip ended with hot chocolate and cookies back at the station

I just can't get over how much fun this was - I don't think I'm the only one who is thinking that!

Lots to be Thankful for!

And you wonder why I'm happy all the time?

Pittsburgh!

We spent a couple of days in Pittsburgh. Thanks to a conference I attended, we got to stay @ the Sheraton in Station Square for 2 nights and scored an awesome view of the river. In addition to the conference, we got to see some of the sights of Station Square and went out to Robinson Towne Center. Most of the family was under the weather, but somehow, Pittsburgh made everyone feel a tad better!

The VIEW from our room -

we kept the curtains open all night because we enjoyed this view so much!

Too cute not to post! Sleepy boys.

Jackson's photo of the Gateway Clipper - again from our hotel room - awesome!

About the only cool thing left to do in Station Square mall is ride the train

- that's cool enough for us!

It's Fall

I know photos haven't been coming very often, so here are a few of the boys doing fallish things!

My vampire and bat

Fun in the leaves - the boys love piling them up and jumping in them (especially from the swing).

Annual Trip to the Apple Cider Festival

This is one of our favorite days of the year - the Apple Cider Festival @ Prince Gallitzin State Park. Although it was a little breezy, we had a great time and the highlight (as always) was the hayride. We went early and it was packed; Ga-Ga came with us (no Pop, he's traveling). And yes, they actually do make apple cider at the festival - see photo below.

Yay! A family photo - we were on the hay ride for this one.

I can just imagine what was going through Jude's mind, "I want this one and this one and this one and this one and........."

Making apple cider the old fashioned way

The boys touch a white rat snake (eww yuck)

I Love the 80s!

We went to an 80s party last night. I'm not sure if we had more fun at the party or planning our outfits. Even the kids were decked out in "breakin" and "Pac Man" shirts courtesy of Jeremy (yes - those are his originals). I, on the other hand, had to make a stop at the local Goodwill to complete my outfit.

Nice painter's cap and breakin shirt

Pac Man rocks

Who's that hot couple? Check us out from head to toe. Orange chucks - check; pegged pants - check; lots o hair spray and blue eye shadow - check; jean jacket - check. ALL SET TO GO.

Jackson Turned 7

Jackson turned 7 on September 7th! Can't believe it. The 7th was Labor Day, so we got to celebrate his special day with him @ home! His party was on the 12th - pirate theme this year!

The gang sings HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Grammy Linda's cakes always impress!

Since Jackson is so blessed with good wishes and gifts all year long, we asked his party guests to bring books to his party to be donated. He donated close to 40 books to the Saint Michael School Library! I really think that he was proud to carry all those books into his school for everyone to enjoy!

Weekend!

I PROMISE to get something new up here this weekend - PROMISE!

Weekend Getaway

We just got back from Deep Creek Lake, MD this afternoon. We got there Friday evening and spent the weekend with the Golden's. It was so beautiful there - the weather was perfect too. Friday we ate pizza and just let the kiddos run around the house. Saturday I made breakfast for everyone, then we drove over to the State Park lake and Discovery center. Next we went back to our house, changed into swim gear, grabbed lunch and headed back to the State Park beach for the afternoon. After that, while Jude was napping (I stayed back with him), the gang went to Funland (kinda like Chuck E Cheese's). Saturday evening we ordered take out and ate in :) Then the kids got their bathing suits on and all climbed into the bathtub (the kind that is big with jets) and got a "bath". Today, Kerri and I got up and went for a big walk, came back and made breakfast, cleaned up and got ready to leave. We went to the top of Wisp Mountain and watched people white water raft through this awesome man-made course - it was so amazing. Anyway, enjoy some photos!

Me with the best person in the whole world!

We're peeking through a rock.

All 5 kids @ the Discovery Center

2 super cuties sittin' on the dock, feedin' the ducks!

The kiddos @ the State Park beach (before they donned swim gear)