Not a creature was stirring....

So, it's two in the morning... and I can't sleep.  Don't ask me why?  I've shared two bottles of wine with Cody and my day has been jam packed filled with Christmas activity.  Yet, here I am.  WIDE AWAKE!  I guess I will just blog.

I must admit, this Christmas has been much more fun preparing for.  The fog of new baby and terrible grief clouding last year made for a terrible Christmas.  This year though, Sam gets it.  He really gets it.  It makes it worlds more fun.  And, Annarose is just so stinking cute in her red velour everything, I frankly want to dip her in some peppermint cocoa and eat her for breakfast.

I haven't alot to report.  The gifts are bought, the last card addressed and ready to mail, stocking are hung... but most of all, I am excited to be in my home.  I love it here.  I can see how happy Cody is, and how much fun he is having with Sam on all the land.  My heart is just chock full of warm fuzzy.  Santa is being a good man, and doing an early fly by on Christmas Eve morning for our family... that way we don't have to bring home all our presents on an airplane.  We are headed out to San Diego to celebrate our Christmas this year, I am ready for a break and to see our family.  Although, I am terrified to fly with AR now that she is weaned.  She is kind of a handful.  Sitting still is not her strong point.  I am praying for a miracle.  Sam is a pro, he is such a good little traveller now.  Plus, he will be equipped with his one true hearts desire, a Leapster Explorer.  Yep, I caved and got the kid a video game.  He is going to faint with happiness.

Cute, obligatory Santa jams

Epic 14 foot tree

 We have had a house guest this weekend.  Joey came to stay the night and go to the Nutcraker ballet with us.  The boys have had a great time together.  I thought bedtime was going to be a nightmare, but they both knocked right out.  It was amazing.

Sam, Joe and Maggie (one of my friend's daughters) posing before the show.  Maggie has danced with the company for 3 years.

Uncle Dresselmeyer and the boys

Dance of the Sugar Plum fairy had Joe dreaming of sugar plums.

Lucky ducky boys both won door prizes.

We have been spending a ton of time outdoors.  The weather has been incredibly mild.  I was hoping for a snow right before the holiday, but I don't think it going to happen.  The weather this week is predicted to be in the low 60's all week.  Annarose always wants to be outside and Sam too.  Here they are just chilling in the field.

Santa Clause was quite the production!  It took two days of line waiting.  The first day, we got cut off after waiting for an almost an hour.  Santa was going on his lunch.  The second day, was more successful.  However, we tried to be smart and get to the mall at opening and beat the crowds.  Santa came an hour after the mall opened and we still ended up waiting in line for an hour.  Oh well!  The kids took it fine, it was me that was irritated.

Sam did all the talking and told Santa their wish list.  Annarose did perfect, she sat with Santa and studied him.

The family and I had a fabulous, fun filled Philly Thanksgiving.  It was a unique one for sure, we had a long lost family dinner guest.  My cousin Matt.  There are no pics of him because he doesn't like pictures, haha.  Anyway, Matt is my Mom's nephew.  My Uncle Joe was estranged from his family before I was even born.  I had never met him, Dennis has foggy memories at best.  By the power of Facebook, Mom was able to find him and after a year of emailing and keeping in touch, Matt finally felt comfortable enough to meet all of us.  It was awesome.  It was amazing how much he looked like a Stolnis, we had lots to talk about and found that he fit right in.  I am sad he never got to be a part of our family from the beginning.  We had so many wonderful great-aunts and great-uncles who loved us, like grandchildren.  And, of course my grandmother, who I know missed having him be a part of her life too.

People can say all they want about Facebook, but it is good for some things.  And, this year, I shamelessly say "I am thankful for Facebook."  HA!  Without it, we may never have found Matt and I believe he will no longer be a stranger to any of us.

Mom and I adding the finishing touches to the feast!

Friday, we did a full on day of Philly tourism.  We went downtown to the waterfront and toured the WW II battleship US Olympia and a the submarine US Becuna.  The boys loved it!!  It was really cool climbing through the submarine, I can't believe those guys lived in such crazy quarters.  Afterwards, we headed to one of my favorite spots in Philly, The Reading Terminal.  It is hard to explain, it is like a giant indoor farmer's market I guess.  They have got amazing local, and international food counters.  We, of course, in the spirit of Philly went with the cheesesteaks and pizza fries.  AHHH-mazing!  The boys still had some steam, so we walked down Market to the Macy's to watch their show.  It used to be Wanamaker's, but now Macy's does it.  The guys took the kids back home on the subway and train, and the girls rode back in the cars.  The kids had a wonderful time!  It was a very cool day.  My dad would have loved it, we all really missed him.

Uncle Tris, Sam and some battle ships!

Big brother love

Daddy and AR headed aboard the US Becuna

Ruby and AR inside the submarine

Nana with the boys on top of the US Olympia, Nana was a lot nervous

Rare family shot

Being tourists at the Reading Terminal-Cheesesteaks and Pizza fries

The rest of the weekend was just alot of hanging out, us girls had a baby shower on Saturday afternoon and the guys took the kids to "Kids Castle" for the day.  A giant, best playground ever type place.  We went to a tree lighting and fireworks that night with Damien's family.  And, Sunday was the long trek back.  The traffic was okay for us, but I guess Dennis hit a ton.  We got on the road at 8am and made it home at 7:30, we had to stop 4 times... it really adds a ton of time to the drive.
I came home and immediately got the flu:(  I always get a flu shot and just didn't get a chance yet this year.  I have felt so crappy, just when I think I am getting better... I get side swiped with another high fever, chills, body aches, head ache the whole enchilada.  I have doing a steady stream of Advil and cough syrup to try and stay functioning.  Today, I am just kind of slow.  I am hoping the worst is behind me.
I hope that everyone's holiday was fantastical.  Now, I only have 24 days to get my act together!!!