Older Cousins Rock!

During winter break, my three nieces, who live in Maryland, came over for a few days to hang out with their little cousins (and favorite Aunt & Uncle >>grin<< ). It was great to have guest in our house who JUMP at the chance to change Sophia's diapers. I didn't change a diaper for a full 2+ days!

Velia came over for one night to babysit the girls so Bob and I could go out to dinner & the movies! [We saw Slumdog Millionaire which was an awesome movie... best one that I've seen in a long time]. Velia came up another night from Maryland with her boyfriend to visit Grandmom and then came by for dinner. After dinner at Our Place Restaurant & Bar, we came back to the house and listened to them sing karaoke. Craig played his guitar and sang which was cool.

[I plan to post a video of the karaoke when I'm back from Florida next week. I haven't had time to download and edit video.]

Morgan (my sister Mary Beth's daughter) and Rose (my sister Esther's daughter) singing Karaoke. Rose is singing while holding Sydney! (I can barely hold Sydney anymore!)

Sophia the constructor...

school-time in PJ's

teachers - Rose & Morgan, students - Sydney & Sophia

Rose and Sydney

Out to dinner with my niece Velia (my sister Linda's daughter) and her boyfriend, Craig

N2O Candidate

NO, I'm not talking about Sydney. She is a dream dental patient....

ready to go and SMILING

she evens likes to floss or to be flossed....

and she treasured her new toothbrush all day

...then there's Sophia.... a trial run GONE BAD.

One day she will be begging for N2O just like her Mom, who is a big wuss. Here's to Dr. Sansone's best & worst patient of the day :-)

Home for Christmas

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care...
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there

--------
Daddy and his girls on Christmas morning

Sophia

Santa brought Sydney a Doll House

Santa brought Sophia a princess doll castle Daddy gave Mommy a new lens and flash for her camera
Aunt Becky gave Sydney a Belle, Cinderella, and Snow White princess outfit and shoes Aunt Becky stayed for Christmas dinner

Winner of a gift that they use every day... Art Easel from Aunt Becky

A Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!

Grandma and Grandpop's House we go: Dec.18-21

Going to Grandparent's at Christmas time
is something we love to do.
We enjoy the visit at Christmas
and look forward to it all year though!
Pop Pop and Nana love us so much.
They kiss our cheeks and our faces they touch.
We love to open gifts and their beautiful tree
is a delightful and wonderful sight to see.
But this by far, the most wondreful part,
they love us from the depth of their hearts!

Pop Pop playing Santa

Nana and Sydney--
Bedtime stories by Pop Pop
Family Photo--

Very Cool Yule

We were looking forward to spending an early Christmas Holiday with Pop Pop and Nana in Sunny Punta Gorda Florida. We arrived on Thursday, December 18th, after the cruise and visiting Great GrandPop in Vero Beach. It still felt like Christmas even without the brittle cold and bare trees. I definitely prefer Palm trees over Fraser Firs.

The houses and the boats were decorated with lights in hopes that Saint Nick would soon be there...

...

Nana had her Christmas tree in the house. Aunt Bonnie had hers on the lanai, both were beautiful and made us feel at home for the Holidays.

Nana cooked us an awesome Chicken Marsala meal our first night. Aunt Bonnie had us over for dinner the second night. Pop Pop make sure our bellies were full at breakfast. Like usual, it was five star dinning our entire stay.

Breatfast at Pop Pop and Nana's--

Lunch by the pool at Pop Pop and Nana's --
Aunt Bonnie and Sydney--
Here are some pics from dinner at Aunt Bonnie and Uncle Phil's----

Each morning Nana served us fresh orange juice that came from Aunt Bonnie's tree-
Cousin Andy--
from her expression, you'd think Polly was real--

Save the best and sweetest picture for last....

Sydney loves her Pop Pop!! and can't wait to see him again...

Things to do in Punta Gorda in December

1. Ponce De Leon - a 10-acre park with a wildlife bird sanctuary called Peace River Wildlife Center. It has a playground with swings, a beach, boat ramp, fishing docks, picnic tables, hot dog/drink stand, and a gift shop with wonderful gifts for the grandkids. Nana bought Sophia a stuffed water turtle and Sydney a miniature water turtle knickknack.

Yummy hot dog lunch at the park... our most scenic hot dog setting yet...

2. Charlotte Harbor Boating

3. Pool time with Pop Pop

4. Christmas Boat Parade