Let's Go SU!

Saturday night Pepsi was wonderful enough to get us parking passes and floor seats to the SU game. We try and make at least one game per year and Saturday was our night! This is the 3rd year in a row that we have been able to get these amazing tickets and it seems like every year the seats get just a little bit better. This year we were third row back on the floor in the center. It was a very energized and fun filled game. We all had a blast!

Since we were given the special parking pass this year we decided to just eat near the Dome for a change so we tried Rachel's Restaurant in The Sheraton Hotel. It was delicious and we were able to take our time and not have to rush.
I threatened Lewis with his life that if he didn't wear some SU gear this year that he couldn't go with us. He definitely listened!
The short, but freezing walk up the hill!
Look how close we were, it was amazing! Thank you Pepsi!
Pre-game huddle!We loved the short walk to the truck this year!

OCD Issue

I'm thinking about calling the TV show "Hoarder's" on my son as he is starting to develop an OCD problem. He has started what he calls his "Collection". At first it was just a few of his favorite things that he put on top of his night stand to display. Now, it has grown and grown and is taking over half of his room. He is so proud and has to show each and every person who walks into our house even if they have seen it before. I think that Roland and I have seen his collection every single day since he started it. He is so sweet, he will say, "Mama, do you want to come and see my collection?" How can you say no! Wait until he is 18 and I show him what an interesting little boy he was!

PJ Day

Today was pajama day for Seth at school. He was very excited that he could wear his Christmas PJs to school. It was only 4 degrees this morning so we put his long johns under his jammies to keep him warm. I can't wait to hear all about his exciting day at school.

Our first stop this morning was in Grandma's class to see our other friends.

Then we were on to our own classroom for a quick picture with Mrs. Johnson.

Tonight Seth is headed to spend the evening with Grandma and Poppy Puccia. They are making Christmas projects and having a special dinner and treats! Leah and I are meeting Kristen for dinner for her birthday and Roland is in SYR for a special Pepsi meeting.

Candy Cane Feet!

I couldn't resist taking a picture of Leah's cute little feet as she wore her holiday socks yesterday! Only 8 days until her very first Christmas!

A face to melt your heart!

They are ALIVE!

My Mom and Tom used to stop over and see the kids one to two times a week after work and we all got used to it and looked forward to the company as we waited for Roland to get home. This past fall was like a roller coaster for both Mom and Tom. They had all sorts of freak health issues and so they weren't able to come and visit for the past few months and we missed them. Well, after a long winded guilt treatment and phone call from Seth they started their visits back up yesterday and boy did they get a workout.

First we tried my new Snugglie on my Mom and of course Seth had to get in there with her.
Uncle J stopped over during his break from work.
Seth also got my Mom to dance around the living room to Christmas songs.
Then she needed to rest so Seth grabbed every blanket and pillow that he could find to make her feel comfortable.
Tom had an easy job he just sat in the chair with a very relaxed Leah.

It was a fun filled hour and we really appreciated the company!

Gram's Concert

Congratulations once again to my Grandma for a wonderful holiday concert and for being the oldest member of her community choir, but definitely not looking like the oldest!

SOOOO MUCH FOOD!

Roland and I always look forward to any Pepsi function. You never know what to expect and you always know that the food will be over the top. This year was no exception and it was amazing all around. It was held at The Boathouse in Sackets Harbor and closed to the public for the evening. I would have to safely say that there were 10 different appetizers, 7 main course options and 8 dessert options. On top of that there was a $1000 open bar and a DJ. We really had a great time seeing and chatting with people I only see once a year. We did feel a little old because many people went to Joe's afterward, but we were so tired we just came home.

We started with a little pre-party at our house!

Seth quote of the night, "Lu (Lewis) can you give me a hand?"

Jimmer thought that shots would be a fun idea for everyone until they charged him $60 for all of them. OUCH!

They even convinced the manager of the facility to have a holiday shot!

It was a really fun evening and we look forward to the next Pepsi function!

Thank you to Grandma and Papa Charlton for watching Seth and Leah for us and for cleaning up all the dishes from the pre-party. We really appreciate it!

Urban Mission MISSION!

On Saturday morning prior to the big Pepsi holiday party many of the guys hauled their butts out of bed, bundled up as warm as possible and volunteered their time to help gather donations for The Urban Mission's Food Pantry. As cold as it was, from what I hear it was a memorable 4 hours and they enjoyed themselves so much that they are already planning next years event. In four hours they collected over 700 items for the needy. They left with a feeling of satisfaction that they were able to help the less fortunate.After coming home and warming up, we headed to the Pepsi Holiday Party!

Tips for a Fun Filled Snow Day!

It just so happens that my school district is located on The St. Lawrence River so we don't often have snow days because the lake effect bypasses us, but yesterday due to the crazy weather we had coming at us, the entire county was off. So the kids and I made the most of our unexpected day of leisure. Here is a run down of how to spend (how we spent) our snow day!

1. Stay cuddled up in bed as long as possible under the covers.

2. Make the Christmas gingerbread house you haven't had time to get to yet! Don't forget to sample all of the candies before putting them on your house.

3. Play Wii bowling.

4. Dance around the living room with guitars to Christmas music.

5. Try to get a tiny fireman out of the inside of the guitar by using techniques that the Imagination Movers use. As Seth put it, we had "An idea EMERGENCY!"

6. Graze for lunch, no need for a set meal!

7. Correction...send your husband to Panera bread for lunch for the hard working mom!

8. Watch "The Polar Express", the book on the computer.

9. Plan it so that both kids take a nap at the same time....ACCOMPLISHED...2 hours of mom time!

10. Have friends over for dinner in a blizzard and make homemade calzones and popcorn cake.

11. Dance and sing to Mama Mia with a group of toddlers who LOVE that movie and ask to watch it every time they are together.

12. Go to bed in the hopes of another snow day....wish not granted, but looking forward to a festive weekend ahead; Pepsi Christmas Party and Gram's Holiday Concert!

All Aboard!

Seth is finally at the perfect age to take little day trips here and there, but Leah isn't so we have to plan accordingly. Yesterday we were invited to go and ride The Polar Express. Of course we wanted to go, but 3 hours round trip and a 2 hour train ride would not have gone so well with our little lady so my Mom and Tom gladly agreed to help us out and watch Leah for most of the afternoon and evening. Thank you sooooo much! The train ride was super fun and Seth loved seeing Santa and all of the elves.

Our wonderful family minus one important person.

He BELIEVES!

Matching jammies thanks to Jacob's Aunt Laurie!

Since I was minus one child I had an extra opportunity to enjoy some time with my god daughter.

The moment that Seth patiently waited for.

Dancing in the aisle to Jingle Bells.

Lindsey even got into some dancing action.

We are so fortunate that the weather cooperated for our long journey and a great time was had by all. Thank you to Mom and Tom for spending the day with Leah. We really appreciate it.