Hello 2016!!!

New Years Eve started out well with a visit from Aunt Penny. Since our Gillette Christmas party had been postponed she wanted to come by to see the boys and give them their Christmas presents. They each got a pair of pajamas (matching of course) and personalized pillow case. They loved her surprise visit and were so excited when I told them I would wash the pajamas so they could wear them later that night. We had decided we would let the boys stay up as long as they could but when Kieran fell asleep during lunch I started to have my doubts that he would make it much past bedtime.

New Year's Eve night a small group of our friends came over and we had a great time celebrating the end of 2015. It's pretty fun now that a lot of the kids are to the toddler and older stage. We had a dance party with glow sticks, let the boys jump on Kieran's bed (for some reason the girls were not into this at all), and attempted to take pictures with some photo booth props.

Reed, Jeffrey, Kieran, and Connor jumping on the bed

Denae helping Rory get in on the bed jumping action

Eli and Clara

Ashley helping Eli with her photo prop

Attempt at a group shot - Eli, Connor, Kieran, Clara, and Reed

Cameron chatting it up with K

Shannon and a snoozing baby Emmett

By 9:00 pm most of the people with kids were gone and Kieran had told us he was tired and was sound asleep in his bed. Clara and Reed however were in for the long haul, so we set them up with a bunch of blankets and pillows in our recliners. Jeffrey got his own bean bag for a while before Mikael and Erin decided it was time to head out too. It was adorable to overhear the conversations Clara and Reed had and so cute that they can now have completely independent interactions, it really does make them seem like big kids! The Parkinsons were the last to leave at just a little before midnight. We decided we would all like to ring in the New Year in our own houses and then be in bed by 12:05!!!  That meant Jon, Reed, and I rung in 2016 together, gave each other kisses, and then went to bed. Reed was totally confused that there wasn't something bigger that happened but was tired enough he didn't put up too much of a fight when we tucked him in. I'm pretty excited for 2016 as we are entering into unchartered territory - this month marks the oldest, youngest child (does that make sense?) we've had in almost 4.5 years, it really is the beginning of a new chapter and I think we have a lot of great adventures ahead of us.

The last of the Celebrations

Aunt Lynette and Uncle Allan decided that instead of doing dinner Christmas night they would instead host a brunch the day after Christmas this year. I think it was one of the best turnouts for McClarty Christmas ever, with only two of the cousins (and their spouses/kids) missing. I'm really sorry I didn't take a picture of the spread they put together - it was amazing!!! After brunch we did a food themed gift exchange which Reed loved helping open presents for and then each of the kids received a blanket as a gift from Lynette and Allan. It was perfect timing because Kieran and Lyla were due for naps and had started to lay on the floor, ironically Kieran didn't ever fall asleep and other than the twenty minute snooze on the way up he didn't get a nap that day. Another day of celebrating seemed kind of daunting heading into the Holidays but it was nice to enjoy the whole party instead of arriving in the middle or after the meal which is usually what ends up happening, so day three of celebrations was definitely a success!!!

Pepe's three sisters - Margie, Paula, and Lynette

The kids excited to see Pepe and Nonna arrive

K trying out Tammi's new rocking chair

Part of the Gang

Tim posing in his new Cinderella apron

Sunday was Papa's 85th Birthday and we were all happy to get together again to help him celebrate the milestone. The boys were a bit grumpy when we arrived, but Reed quickly warmed up and couldn't stop telling some of his tall tales. Pepe made a delicious dinner and Papa loved having almost all of the family (TJ was sick) gathered in his honor. All three kids took turns telling Papa "Happy Birthday" and also sang to him when his cake was lit. You could really tell how happy they made him! Tio figured out a new way to entertain the kids - spin them on their backs - think turtles turned over on their shells, which was pretty hilarious. We were actually meant to have Gillette Christmas the next day, Monday, but Grandma got really sick so it has been postponed a few weeks so Papa's party was officially the last in a four day marathon of celebratory events. There were definitely some ups and downs but overall I think we all had fun and enjoyed spending time with all of our extended family.

Christmas at Home

After a rough start to our Christmas marathon the day before, I was a little nervous about what the next four days of celebrations were going to be like with young, overtired children. Luckily Christmas day was a bit of a reboot for the boys since we were at our house all day. This has never happened before. Usually we go somewhere for the afternoon or for dinner but for various reasons this year, we got to stay put. Grandma, Grandpa, and G-Momma came over first thing in the morning, saw the boys open their Santa gifts, had breakfast, Skyped with Uncle Kyle and family, exchanged gifts, and helped the kids break in their new toys. One of the funniest things was watching Kieran jump in the air and land on his butt on his whoopee cushion over and over again. I begged G-Momma and Grandma to make an extra batch of their Christmas Eve minestrone soup for our lunch so I didn't have to miss out on the tradition and they kindly obliged. After lunch Kieran took an awesome nap, Jon and I prepped dinner, Reed watched a movie, and all of us adults played cards. We had an early dinner and said goodnight so Grandpa could get home and get some rest before he had to get up to start wind machines and monitor the cold weather that was threatening his citrus crops. It was a very quiet Christmas night, but also so nice not to be on the road and I was pretty excited that the boys got a bath and were in bed by their normal bedtime. We really did love having a full day at home during the Holidays and I'm hoping it's something we can continue to do each year.

Early morning juice assistant

G-Momma hunting down a hidden Kieran

Checking out the loot from Santa

Lego table and a trip to Legoland

Attempt at a Pajama picture in front of the tree

The Whoopee Cushion show

Skyping with Annaliese and Haleigh

A natural at the balance board

 

An attempt at a group shot as we were saying goodbye