Polar Express

 Well this year almost didn't happen!  Between all the kids' sports schedules and availablity  of the train we almost missed it.  When I first went to book it, it was a hard no.  I was a wreck!  For so many different reasons!  So my friend at work said, "Just keep checking!  Something will open up!" and honestly I didn't believe her at all and thought it was a lot cause.  I was SICK about it.  Then one day, on a total whim, I checked and THERE WERE ENOUGH SEATS ON A DAY THAT WORKED!  I didn't love that my favorite Grinch and Owen and my parents couldn't make it but I was ready to take what I could get!  

Bless this guy, who is trying so hard to keep me smiling this holiday season.

I love that girls are still in the holiday spirit!

Just missing my favorite Grinch!

I am so happy that it all worked out and we were able to do my favorite train ride!  Year 12 was a great success!

Thanksgiving

 Well, it was our first official holiday without my brother.  The first of many firsts.  It was a little tougher than I thought it was going to be, but we got through it and had a nice time!

I didn't take many pictures and I hate when that happens. But I did get our first full Popp picture minus our guy.  We missed him like crazy a few tears were shed but I am sure he was there in spirit complaining about the Bills game, making lots of jokes, and making us all smile.  

 After my parents' house we went to my in laws and had a wonderful dinner with lots of laughs and smiles while the kids enjoyed their cousins.  I just wish I got more pictures!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Snovember Part 2

 Well it happened again!  Another Snovember storm!  About 8 years ago we got hit with a ridiculous snow storm in November and it has happened again.  Everyone started talking about it last Monday and we all blew it off.  It snows all the time here and whenever the weathermen make a big deal about a storm, it never usually ends up happening!

Well this time, it happened!

It snowed overnight on Thursday (exactly as predicted) and just didn't stop!  We lost power around 7am and it didn't go back on until around1.  But honestly it was fine and we didn't even use the generator!

Thank God for Mark and Oliver!  They shoveled like crazy for hours!

And Claire did our part too!

But it just wouldn't stop!  These pictures are all from Friday, the 18th!

Saturday morning the sun was shining and it FINALLY stopped snowing! So Mark got up and got right to work clearing us out of the driveway.  The plan was to get one car out and one lane out to the street so we could leave if we had to.  There was a driving ban so no one could really anywhere but it felt good to be free!

We decided to just clear a path from our door to my parents so that if they needed to get out they could just use our car for now.

I still can't even believe that Mark (with some help from Oliver) shoveled all of that snow.  We really need to think about investing in a snowblower.

Claire and I came out and helped clear off the car!

Sweet success!  This took much longer than you would think it did!

There was just so much snow but, it was really just so pretty!  I loved being snowed in!  Claire and I baked and watched some fun TV, Oliver snuggled up and watched all kinds of sports and really helped Mark out. Life is so crazy busy that I love us all being "stuck" together.  Well, as long as my rockstar husband keeps shoveling me out lol.

Yesterday we shoveled out my parents (and I can say we this time because Claire and I went out and helped poor Mark) and cleared off their cars!

Then we had to get salt so a stop at Starbucks was necessary! 

Then school closed again for Tuesday so we decided it was perfect time to walk up to Fattys and do some day drinking!

We even talked our neighbors into meeting us!  We had a blast!  Can't say that I hate Snovember the Sequel!

Back To School Prep

 So summer is winding down and we are getting ready for back to school!

Lots of prep for my new Lil Monsters!

The always fun school supply shopping!

And some fun setting up my room with friends!  It's gonna be a great year!!!

I am not sure why this is just posting now but...here's a recap lol!

Happy Halloween!

So Halloween came and went this year! I can't believe it is already November and I haven't blogged anything!

Halloween gets a little boring as the kids get older but we still made it fun!

 

We had our annual Halloween Bash at my in laws.  And the kids had a blast carving pumpkins and running around.  Claire had to leave early to babysit but we still had a blast.  We were just missing our Rochester crew!

Claire did her annual Beggar's Night with her friends and then went to a haunted house!

I did Trunk or Treat at school.  And even though my trunk wasn't the best, dressing like Elmo was a hit with the little ones!

Then I got strep throat just in time for Halloween!!!! So our Halloween tradition of trick or treating at our house looked a little different this year but we still made it work.  I stayed home and gang went to the Cappelli's house this time!

Love our sharks!  And I love that the girls still like to dress up together!

The whole gang!  Oliver didn't really care what he was this year, so we busted out the old milk carton!

I love that they still want to trick or treat and that we can still be around for it!  I will take it for as long as I can!

Happy Halloween!!!