Still Catching Up, Part Two

Here is the rest of Christmas. It was a fun year because they were excited about the presents. They don't get that Santa brings presents yet but they like the presents. They were not into opening them at first but once Livy got started we couldn't stop her.

Rachel preferred to sit in her cardboard box and hold her already opened toys and then just piled her wrapped toys in the box too.

They helped daddy open some of his too. (The cupcakes they are holding are not his :) )

Rachel only wanted to open one if she liked what Livy got then she would get out of her box and say she wanted one too and then she would open hers. It was a great Christmas.

The next day my brothers wonderful girlfriend Michelle flew in from California to help us fly to NY. Thank you so so much Michelle!!! The flight went relatively smooth. We only had an hour delay on the plane. We got to NY on the 27th and stayed until the 7th.

Rachel and her Pop pop. Her BFF until daddy showed up and she was then his shadow. My dad can't get any work done when we are there because they always want to play with him. Usually Livy, but always one of them was having Grandma carry them around. They can't get enough of their Grandma and Pop pop. They don't really even want me there!

Grandma Rathgeber and Gilgo were there when we got there but left two days later so we didn't get much time with her. We had a packed house. All of us were there plus Erin's parents and Grandma. Wish you got to stay longer Grandma!

Mmy mom got Hannah and the girls matching dresses. They looked adorable but we didn't get one good picture with all of them looking or smiling. Danny is so happy in this one. He loved having everyone home. Rachel was his buddy again and always wanted to swing with him and feed him. Lots of toys for the girls to play with too. They were taking over the living room. Sorry guys. Hopefully it is not so crowded now!

She is eating the dot candy that is the sugar dots on paper that you have to pick off to eat. It was bribery for pictures. They ate the candy and the paper. Oops. They lived!

A nice day in NY. A little snow still on the ground but warm enough to be outside without coats just for a few minutes. It only snowed once while we were there on New Year's Eve. We bundled the girls up and took them out in it but they didn't like it. It was cold, dark, and windy. Too bad it wasn't nicer with the snow. I wanted to see them play in it.

Eric flew into NY on New Year's Eve. His plane was delayed a little from the snow so we got home from the airport at 11. We just hung out at home with Josh, Katie, Rich, Erin, and Erin's parents and played rook and watched the ball drop. Exciting. Don't be jealous. My parents were asleep already. We had fun though. And it was like 15 degrees out that night. So no we did not got to see the ball drop. I have had that question.

At a mall there there is a carousel and small train that the girls love. They rode each 3 times with Auntie Hannah. She is their favorite. They love to follow her around and play with her and copy her. Especially her jump roping. They love to pretend they can do it now because Hannah does it.

She was the wrangler and kept them in line and tabs on them. We cant wait for her to come visit us in February!!

Aunt Hannie

Rachel the wonderful babysitter. She goes to Geneseo and happens to be home from school most times we are there and watches the girls for us so we can go to the movies, out to eat, or whatever. And she is a great hair stylist! She did the most adorable french braids in Livy's hair.

Jjust hanging out. poor charlie and Michelle didn't have a room to sleep in because we were so packed. Actually Livy and Rachel had their own rooms-one in dads office so not really a room. We tried keeping them together and they woke up five times that night and extra early so they got separated again and poor Charlie and Michelle had to find a couch or air mattress. Thanks guys. Sorry about that!

Hours of swinging with Dan and by themselves. Rachel's favorite thing to do.

It was so fun to have everyone around and nice to have so much help! My brother Rich had knee surgery two weeks before so he was home with us the most when others had work. It was so fun to have him there and it paid off because he was their favorite uncle this time. Sorry Josh all that work in October! They were scared of Rich before and the first day or two but that was it. It is just so great having everyone around. I miss my family a lot. I wish I could live near them to raise our kids together. None of them have kids yet so maybe there is still a chance!

And of course my parents, leaving them gets harder every time. The girls were right at home there. They literally got out of the car from the airport said hi and went about playing and running around like we just walked into our own house. It was great. They didn't get it when we were leaving but when we got home they kept asking for them. Livy said, Grandma, Pop pop house all gone. Her best description. And they were asking for Hannah for a few days. So sad.

And what can I say about my wonderful mom. She was such a dream, always telling me to sleep in and she will watch them. Or giving them baths and everything else too. She even had Eric and I stay at a hotel one night and she got up with them in the morning. We all went swimming at the hotel with the girls. They had a lot of fun but only wanted to be in the hot tub once they discovered it. Thanks so much mom, your the greatest!

Lots of game playing. This is their new game table int he living room. Richie and Erin are expert sequence board makers now. That is our favorite game, sequence. Even Hannah is great at it now. She wanted to hustle Eric and had me tell him she was no good and he should play her!

We had such a great trip and enjoyed lots of great pizza. Eric finally got to a few excellent Italian restaurants and can't wait for more. Thanks so much mom and dad for all you do for us. You are the most amazing parents. I miss you guys and I can't wait to see you in February!