More Jackson

Another Weekend in New England taking us away......

A complete New England experience was what we were looking for.  Here we are on a sleigh ride through the woods...The weather wasnt that bad and besides, we had hot chocolate and smores to keep us company.  It was a really fun time for all of them.

The kids all make fun of me because I could sit in front of the fire for hours at a time.  I clean the glass and say that i'm cleaning the TV screen.  Its so peaceful...quite possibly i'm getting at that age.

Even Fenway seems to love it up here....he just cant get enough ot all the snow...He wants to dive into it all the time.  Catherine likes to go up on the top of the man made mountains and create a slide.  But most of all her and Jack like to have snowball fights and use their daddy as the practice target.  Oh yeas, we've had more than one fight when the aim has been a little bit too good.

Christmas 2016

Jackie starring at the State House

Jackie had been practicing his lines all week in the living room and when the time came to announce them to the throngs of people, the microphone malfunctioned.....no need to fear!! After the singing we headed to Quncy Market to get something to eat.  He was great to hang out with.

Jack posing on the steps of the State House with Nana....such a fun day today

Yeah, I only watched this video a couple of thousand times....He does so good.  He's a very sweet kid at times.....oooooo my Jackie!!

Weekend in New England

Laura and I went up to the lake over this weekend.  We got alot more snow up north then the more southern folk.  We did our best at making this little fellah without carrots and buttons.  We used a couple of quarters for the eyes and an icicle for his fodora.  We got a tradition of bad snowmen to keep up with!!

When I close my eyes. they pop right open daddy.

There I sit on the recliner after I get all the kids to bed.  You just know that its not an easy task to do.  Just munching on the snacks that the kids didn't eat and Jack has to come out every couple of minutes with very important information to share with me.  He saddles up on the arm of the chair then after about ten minutes or so tell him to go brush and go to bed.  Not a problem as long as I tell him i'll be in soon to tuck him in.  Then poor Catherine comes out to see me tells me that no matter how hard she tries she cant fall asleep.  She comes out twice and the second time I told her there is no rush but to just close her eyes and she'll fall asleep.  Well, she tells me she's been doing that but as soon as she closes her eyes they pop right open on their own.  She's been adjusting to her new contraptions in her mouth and i dont think she's having an easy time of it with them.  So, I ask her if she thinks it will help if I go lay down with her.  Being the old bastard that I am, you know as soon as I day down I went out till the next morning.  Come to think of it, her bed is much more comfy than mine.....She is so cute though

Providence

Oh my little Catherine did so good in her gymnstics meet in Providence RI on Sunday.  We brought her friend Gracie with us and those girls just had one hell of a time.  I picked her up around 530am and the two of them just laughed the whole way in.  They played the music and games that only they wnderstand but it was accompanied by ten year old girl laughter.  so great to listen to....They both  did awesome in their competitive gymnastics routines too.  Its the smiles though...so great

Christmas tree is up

swimming and gymnastics weekend

This picture here is all Laura...When she is not swimming she is doing this cheering on her teammates like this.  Its so cute.

The nerve of them

Obviously someone was out there trying to start a fight.  It hurts...almost as much as it hurts to stand up, sit down, walk down the street...oohhh.   Okay, it looks like i'm gonna have to start accepting the life of a MIDDLE AGED person.  I was fighting that word all along..

Catherine has some new bling

Catherine got her much anticipated braces put on today.  There was a lot less drama than we anticipated and she handled it like a champ.  She's such a cute young lady and the sweetest gal I know.  They are very nice at this office and they go out of their way to make a fun and enjoyable time for the kids.  She's handling the braces fairly well and says they are only a little bit uncomfortable after one day.  She went to gymnastics after getting the braces put on and it was her first time back after her illness.  I picked her up and on the way home she informed me that mommy had promised her ice cream after she got out of gymnastics.

Cutting down the ole Christmas tree

We all took a trip out to the Christmas tree farm on Saturday.  Once we get there the kids piled into the back of uncle Jamies truck and then we set off to find the tree.  Jack picked the one out this year and they others quickly agreed.  I started the cutting and each one took a turn using the hand saw and it was Catherine who was the one who got the tree to topple.  Each kid got a free candy cane and we were off.

Homecoming dance

A house thats been lived in

Laken it

We had a chance to have the weekend up at the lake.  Boy, do these kids love it up there.  Even though it was a little chilly we spent a lot of time down at the beach or out in the yard.  It goes to show you that we made the right decision to get this place.  They key was getting wifi up there for the down time but there is something good about having family time.  Mommy made a pork roast and we all sat around the table and ate and was just joking around all weekend...well, mostly at my expense.  I challenged Jimmy and Laura to a 40 yard race.  I know they'll probably kick my butt, well maybe, well most definitely, but I need to find a doctors note.