Journey to Bethlehem

So....we ventured out last night to the drama "Journey to Bethlehem" presented by the Windham Bible Chapel.

It was an interesting experience. Yes, the kids were dreading it but when all was said it done, we had a blast.

I would highly recommend the event for older kids (like my stepkids) but it was too educational and long and drawn out for Baby Alexis who accompanied us with her parents Cass and Steve. She was actually very good for over an hour but after that, she had enough and actually so did we.

We were disappointed that we didn't get to enjoy the hike portion of it where you go on a trail wtih a guide to find Baby Jesus. We did enjoy, the play and the movie though- boy did we have some laughs! Only us- the Griswolds!! ha ha

We went back to our house after for some cocoa and dessert and the kids were coaxing Alexis to walk...we did get to see three steps- she is so cute!!!!!

Festival of Trees

My mom and I went to the Festival of Trees in Methuen last night. It is an annual event where there are over 200 decorated Christmas trees! Each tree is donated by a different organization and each one has its own theme. You purchase sheets of raffle tickets and put your tickets in the tree of your choice. The raffle drawings will all happen on Saturday night. If you win, you win the entire tree and decorations and then the secret raffle prizes associated with that tree (you don't know what the prizes are ahead of time!) It was really fun and a special time! The festival runs through Saturday- you can check out the info at www.methuenfestivaloftress.com

The Ann Taylor Dress?

Returned it...yep...such a shame..did not like the way it looked on me at all AND at the same time,realized, our party isn't fancy...sooooo I am either going with an Ann Taylor top and jeans or the top with black pants...yes I obsess over fashion...it is a bad habit!!! I get it from my mother ;)

Caiden gets Baptized

Today was the christening of my precious godson Caiden Dane. The service was absolutely beautiful and I think Caiden knew everyone was there to see him- he was great! Even when the priest put water all over his head and wet his hair...he just looked around..and took it all in.

What made today extra special was that Marky Mark was back in town! Julie and Cory asked Mark and I to be Caiden's godparents and we all got to be together today for this blessed event.

Mark and Angela also brought their new baby girl Victoria with them and we just had a ball with her too! She is the spitting image of Angela....just so sweet and adorable!

God Bless Caiden

Back to The Dub...

Just like the 'ole days...headed out last night w/ Jules, Cass and Mel to catch Rob's gig at the Dubliner in Lowell. It was Rob and Mike's Acoustic Duo and they did a great job. There was a huge crowd and we were surprised since most college kids that go to UMASS Lowell should be home for Thanksgiving break. Nevertheless, they piled in and it was a fun night. The owner of the Dub was quite pleased (or so he told Rob) so hopefully that means more gigs for these two gents!

Did I mention, this was the place where I first met Rob 6 long years ago? ;)

Happy Thanksgiving Weekend Everyone!

This was my biggest Thanksgiving ever! We hosted 17 yesterday and it was successful! I feel so blessed and grateful for the family I have....it was so nice to be able to share this holiday with my extended family and Rob's family..there is nothing like it!

We took turns going around and telling everyone what we were thankful for this year...Auntie Mar also made beautiful name tags for everyone (one of her specialties) and my mom slept over the night before so we had some great laughs (and cocktails of course) as we prepped for the big day!

We ended the night with a vicious game of Trivial Prosciutto (as we say in Italian ...of course the team that Aunty Mar was on won...did you expect anything else?? ;)

Yes...still working on downloading the pix but I will finish by giving you a glimpse of our menu for now!

Cocktail Hour:
Pomegranate Champagne Cocktails- Holly
Stuffed Mushrooms- Mum
Date Nut Cheese Ball and Crackers- Mum

Dinner:
2 Turkeys (we did one and Grammy did the other) (The baste I do consists of orange juice, honey and butter- Grammy does a more traditional turkey where she stuffs the center with fresh herbs like sage, rosemary and thyme)

Bread Stuffing- Holly

French Pork Stuffing- Grammy

Cranberry Sauce

Manchego Red Skinned Mashed Potatoes- Holly ala Rachel Ray

Green Beans with Shallots and Bacon- Holly

Marshmallow, Pecan Streusel Topped Sweet Potatoes- Holly

Onions and Cream Sauce- Mum

Corn- Auntie Mar

Peas- Auntie Mar

Cornbread- Auntie Mar

Mashed Squash- Rob

Dessert:
Pumpkin Toffee Pie- Mum
Apple Pie- Rob
Carmel Cheesecake- Grammy
Various Candied Caramel Apples, Pumpkin and Mudslide Fudge- Holly (thanks to Rocky Mountain Chocolate Company)

Sharon's Pix!

So...Sharon sent some pix from her trip out here last month. Miss her so much already- our get togethers always bring back such wonderful memories from college...we are so lucky UMD brought us together and even though we are continents apart now...our friendship will forever remain solid...it is like no time passes when we get together. Enjoy these pix- I am sure you will see that the kids just loved Sharon too!

On a Mission to Find Cheesecake and Bella!

So...we planned a great girls day today! Kay, Ally and I went along with Cass and Baby Alexis and had a wonderful day! We started with lunch at the Cheesecake Factory...everything was Delish and even Baby Alexis agreed!

We then headed to Wellesley High School for the Wellesley Marketplace fair. The reason we went there? Our favorite store down the Cape, Bella of Cape Cod had a table!

It was just as good as I remembered! Cass got a beautiful brown and pink duffle and a bracelet...I got the pink hat w/ the green palm tree on it (that I had been eyeing this past summer) and a silver bracelet AND a bumper sticker for my car! I got Ally the same bracelet and a pair of earrings for XMAS and got Kayla a beautiful pearl ring and a pink and green bracelet for XMAS too.

We stopped at the fabric store on the way home as we attempt to redesign the girls' pad downstairs! We are going with the Bella theme- pink and green! Stay tuned (I don't trust myself with decorating!)

All in all we had a blast.

We got home to the boys and I heated up one of the Super Suppers meals- Pork Marsala- it was just OKAY...makes me feel even better about my decision- going to write the owner a letter!!!

Before I go down that road again, I will sign off by saying...enjoy these pix from Cheesecake today ;)

Ann Taylor Dress

So..I just bought this dress for our annual XMAS bash...need your advice...do you like? Need your comments! I am going for the Jackie O look..can I accomplish it with this? Will also wear it on XMAS Eve :)

Restless Virgins

That was book number one. Our book group had our first meeting tonight and we discussed the memoir we just completed (or tried to!) We all agreed that it is a book we should recommend to parent, however, it was not easy to read and quite boring...we never knew we could get bored from reading about sex!

The things these kids did in high school...such sexual acts...will disgust you but the stories are a true eye opener and something important for us to be aware of. The book was written by Abigail Jones and Marissa Miley. Both girls interviewed dozens of Milton Academy students.

Although we all thought the book would be primarily about the hockey team sex scandal of 2005, it was only mentioned briefly-very strange.

So, like the hockey team, the book was only a small part of our story tonight! We talked more about wine and thought hey! Maybe we should have a wine club group! Tracey Sherman, who is a wine connoisseur and a lady I look up to, brought four bottles tonight! We indulged in a red called Hook and Ladder from Sonoma County- one word? You know what I am going to say right? DELISH!

I made some nice pomegranate cosmos and we had some yummy apps and desserts..we chatted about everything from dogs and wine to the book yes I guess...and kids and Hawaii!!!! The group got along so well and we are looking forward to our next meeting on December 21st...close to Christmas but just what we will need to de-stress!

Guests tonight included some of my favorite people..Cass and Mel and Laurie Sweetser and of course Tracey and myself. Next month we are meeting at Tracey's! The book we chose is called Eat, Pray, Love. I can't wait to get started on it!

Razorback State Championship Game

Well the final score was 24-19 and we lost but we had fun while we put up a fight! And Zack? He is already excited to start basketball this week. Anyway, enjoy these pix of the spirit committee hard at work...my handsome hubby...Zack at Center and Me and Ally Bean :)