A Traditional Wolny Polish Christmas

Monday night we headed over to Adam's Aunt Lily's (Ciocia's) house for a traditional Polish Christmas Eve. The boys got some huge dump trucks that will be perfect for the sandbox this spring (and probably snow this winter) and water painting books. They each painted a picture before dinner.

Eva played on the floor while the boys painted pictures

I tried to get a picture of Grandma Lee with the grandkids, but this is what I got instead. I thought it was hilarious!

We had a traditional Polish Christmas Eve dinner which excludes meat. We had Ciocia hand made perogies, beet soup (purple soup), stuffed shrimp, seafood lasagna, cod and I think I'm forgetting something. It was really, really good food, though! 

Nick and Eva were very into each other this time around. Nick was constantly trying to help Eva - give her her bottle or blanket or toy. And Eva kept a close eye on him. I got a slight foreboding of what the future holds that slightly scares me. I feel like these two are going to be trouble together in the not too distant future.

Going for rides in the dump trucks. Nick uses his dump truck as a ride-on

And whatever one must ride on, one must fall off.

Now if this isn't Built Tonka Tough advertising. That's 67lbs of trouble on that dump truck! No, actually it is 73lbs. Nick is holding the 6lb medicine ball.

Some people just can't hang...

Presents with the Pierce's

Monday morning/afternoon, we did presents with the Pierce's. The boys got coloring books, a inside dump truck, a money counting piggy bank (crowd favorite resulting in pan handling), a puzzle and books!

A Little Starfish

Monday morning we hung out at the Pierce's. Andrea, Kevin and Eva came over to hang out.

Eva and Auntie Ann

Eva fell asleep in the sun room, like a star fish

A starfish under a comfy blankie

And it's not sucking your thumb if your binkie is between your thumb and mouth.

Who Needs Christmas

Last Saturday we were scheduled to head out for Connecticut, but due to bad weather between here and there, we delayed a day and headed out on Sunday. Nothing too exciting about the drive, but it was probably a good thing we delayed leaving a day because there was a lot of snow in Cleveland and PA. 

This year we were hooked up with the posh Pierce B&B of Bristol, CT. We had our own spacious suite with snazzy en suite bathroom, and elevator for the laborious trip up one flight of stairs and trucks, trucks and more trucks! There were also hula hoops, robots, and organ and...a talking deer head on the wall. You don't find talking deer heads just anywhere. Only the super deluxe B&Bs have those. I of course did not think to take any pictures of the bedroom before we invaded, but trust me when I say it was very nice. 

The boys loved playing in the basement of Adam's aunt and uncle's house. It was challenging at times to get them to leave the basement. Who needs Christmas when you have all these trucks and robots and hula hoops to play with?!

Play Doh Time!

Last Saturday the boys played with all their new Play Doh. They both loved it and shared very well. I don't recall any yelling or fighting which is starting to become more prevalent as Nick likes to goat and torture his brother (and Ben let's him). 

Christmas Scarves

These are the pretty scarves that Grandma Lee knitted for the boys for Christmas. They also received a Christmas ornament to match! Ben's alligator is even fishing!

A Skyping Balyeat Christmas

Last Friday we had a Skyping Christmas with my parents, Sarah and Donnie. The boys opened their presents while the Southern's looked on and then my parent's and Sarah opened their presents from us. I got a speedlight camera flash for Christmas, and it just happened to get wrapped with batteries so I could use it as soon as I opened it. But I don't really know how to use it yet, so that's why some of the pictures are weird. 

Nick really liked seeing himself on the computer in the little 'this is you' box

One of the photo canvases Grandma and Grandpa got for Christmas.

Ben got a chef's outfit from Aunt Sarah that he promptly had to display. It's pretty cute. I'm sure I will get many more pictures of it in the future. 

Merry Christmas From the Wolny's!

2012 Christmas Card. I designed both the front and back myself. 

Firefighter Ben To The Rescue!

Last Wednesday, the kids had a Christmas party at Sharon's. Ben, Nick, Cameryn and Avery all exchanged gifts. Ben got a set of Captain Hook hooks (it's pretty cool) and Nick got a firefighter outfit. Well, Ben confiscated both presents within 15 minutes of being home. He has been wearing the firefighter outfit almost non-stop since Wednesday night - including the boots. He keeps going around the house 'putting out fires'. The outfit came with a fire extinguisher and a bull horn (sans batteries). He runs through the house yelling, 'Firefighter Ben to the rescue!' 

Everyone knows, you can't fight fires without a lollipop. Duh!

80's Baby Chic

Nick sporting his neon green 80's chic sunglasses. (of course now I can't find them...) Ben got neon blue 80's chic sunglasses. 

The Walleyes!

Last Sunday Adam took Ben to a Walleye's Hockey game with some of his coworkers. Ben was a little quiet at first, but warmed up as the game progressed. He really liked the big fish head the players came out of and the walleye blimp and of course the pop corn.

What Was That About a Tigger??

Nick got a bouncy horse from Grandma and Dziadziu for Christmas. It is a big hit!