First Visit to the Zoo

For Christmas this year, we received a season pass to the World Wildlife Zoo right down the road from us. It's a great little zoo. You can get so close to the animals and it's never too crowded. Being so close to home makes it an easy family outing, so we spent our first couple weekends of 2010 visiting the giraffes, monkeys, and noisy birds.

Vincent's First Christmas 2009

You know, this blog is filled with Vincent's Firsts, and this one has to be the most special for me. Christmas is my favorite time of year, and for so long there has been something missing. That wasn't the case this year. The holiday began with Valia, our traditional Polish dinner at Tom and Louise's home on Christmas Eve, and continued with an Italian Christmas Dinner at our house. Our First Christmas! It was magical, and I can only imagine the sparkle in Vinny's eyes as he anticipates the arrival of Santa each year. We snapped hundreds of pictures and lots of little videos, so here is a link to my attempt at making an iMovie to capture it all.

Last year my mom and I broke down in tears as the ball dropped upon 2009. Ant and my dad just shook their heads, but I think they would agree that these past 10 years have been quite a ride. Ant and I were married, moved to Arizona, bought and sold our first house, got a dog, and then another dog, bought our current house, replaced all our stuff (not a highlight), and finally completed our family tree. Those tears washed away all the hardship and welcomed all the good that we knew was to come in 2009. And boy was 2009 good. In fact, it was down right awesome.

Christmas Card Attempts

This was the first year since 2000 that our Christmas Card did not include Murphy. But, it was also the first time that we were able to make the best addition to our Christmas card in 10 years! It was challenging for sure, and much to my surprise, Lucy was so cooperative. I know! Never thought I'd ever be able to say that! Now, Vinny, on the other hand? Whew-he was exhausting! He thought it was the funniest thing ever to try to chase the camera...and then go ring the bell dangling so perfectly at his eye level. You know, I always placed that bell near the bottom of the tree so Murphy's tail would smack it ever so clumsily as she passed by. I believe every angel needs a pair of wings, so I'm just doing my part! So here are a few of my favorites shots from our many attempts...it took us several days and lots of creative editing:

Vinny, on his way to ring the bell, in his Christmas outfit from Auntie Katie and Uncle Brian.

Vinny's diet: Formula, mushy fruits and veggies, and dog fur. mmmmmmm!

All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth. Check!

Angel got her wings!

And the Winner Is:

Good Times with Gramma and Grampa

Not much makes my Dad smile more than his two grandsons. Now that Blaise is talking more, he is making the rules, and it seems that Grampa just doesn't work for him. He's taken to calling my dad what sounds like Bapa or Papa. So sweet...My dad was in his glory.

This picture makes me laugh so hard. Double chins, goofy grins, blinking eyes...we are a motley crew if ever I saw one. But that what makes this picture so special. We were all together, and i know this was a proud moment for my parents.
Two grandparents, two little boys, two cameras, and hundreds of snapshots later...everyne looking in different directions. But the grins still say it all. Well, except for Vinny...he's about had enough here:

Love

Gramma gave this rocking chair another workout. Good thing for all of us that Vinny loves to snuggle and rock.
It's funny. Before Vinny liked Skyping with my mom on the laptop. He'd smile and laugh, but now...oh my goodness....he just wants to crawl right through the screen to get to Gramma.

Santa!

We took a field trip with Gramma and Grandpa to one of my favorite places, the Yankee Candle Factory in Deerfield, Mass. We completely forgot that Santa's Workshop is there, and with Christmas right around the corner, Santa was busy in his office getting ready to deliver presents to all the good little boys and girls. But of course, Santa took some time to visit with the children touring his toyshop. We weren't sure about Vincent's reaction, but in his usual style, Vincent studies Santa before giving up any smiles. Here are some favorite pictures from the trip:

Santa's sleigh was parked in the woodland village

By the end of his visit with Santa, Mom and I were in tears. I just can't believe how lucky we are to experience Christmas through the eyes of a child. The cliche is so true, and I love it!

Santa's Workshop

Santa must be telling Vincent about his reindeer

Grampa, I told you! Santa was right there!

Love

Four Generations!

Babci, Mom, Vincent, and Me

Special

Vincent with his Great Grandparents, Babci and Dziadzui

My Papa is a fairly serious and sober person. But when he holds his great-grandchildren, well you can see how he lights up.

Having fun with Dzaidzui

Magic Touch

Vincent with my Godfather, Uncle Tommy

Vincent's First Formal Event-Uncle Brian and Auntie Katie's Wedding!

This past November 28th, Vincent's Godfather got married! Uncle Brian and Auntie Katie sure do know how to throw a party. Oh my goodness this wedding was amazing, and Vinny had a ball taking in all the sights and sounds. Katie and Brian though of everything-from the tissues in the pews, to the personalized water bottles, to my favorite-the baskets of flip flops in the ladies' room! Here a few pictures from the big night:

Vinny with Daddy

Gramma and Grampa helped entertain Vinny before dinner started

My Date, sitting in a big boy booster seat

The Handsome Groom, with his two adorable Godchildren.

Emma Rose is such a doll!

Auntie Katie was such a beautiful bride! Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Claffey!