Festival Of Lights

I know, I am very behind on my posts.  But I decided to post a few fun things that we did during the holiday season before I post our Christmas celebrations!  So I will start with The Festival Of Lights.  This is one of my most favorite things to do around Christmas time!  And this year Grandma and Grandpa joined us, we had a blast!

After driving through the amazing light show we stopped to see Santa.  While we waited to see the big guy the kids got to write letters to Santa.

And then they dropped them off in Santa's special mailbox.  This year they even got a postcard back from Santa!

We even got a nice family picture while we waited in line.

Oliver got a little shy before we saw Santa but after a minute, he warmed right up!

Then a quick visit with Mrs. Frosty before we headed back outside!

The first thing we saw outside was this....well we weren't really sure what this was.  We were kind of thinking it was the Labatt Blue bear dressed up in a tutu and Santa hat.

Even Grandpa stopped in for a picture.

And of course, Mark had to get in there too.

Then we stopped over to see the reindeer.  They were so cute.

Oliver was totally amazed!

Then we headed to the Christmas Tree Forest.  This is one of my favorite things at the festival.  I absolutely love the lights on the Christmas trees, it is so magical.

To end the night a very nice man gave us all of his left over tickets so the kids went on a few rides.

Oliver loved "driving" all of the cars.

We had a wonderful time at the Festival Of Lights.  We were so glad that Grandma and Grandpa got to join us!  Oliver loved everything that he saw.  He is at such a great age for stuff like this!  Claire loved seeing the reindeer (she loves anything with animals) and I loved all of the LIGHTS!!!!!

Oliver's First Christmas Show

Last Sunday Claire and Oliver had their Christmas show.  This was Claire's FOURTH Christmas show (I cannot even believe that) and it was Oliver's first.  Oliver started taking dance class about a month and a half ago.  After many Monday nights of taking his sister to dance class he finally wore me down and I let him try out a class.  Needless  to say....HE LOVES IT!!!!  

The kids looked so festive waiting to go on stage.

I dropped the ball big time in the camera department this year.  I brought the wrong lens so my pictures of the kids on stage are not all that great :(  But here is Claire.  She did so well this year.  Her dance was so grown up, it was great.

And of course it helps that her bestie is in her class!

Claire really enjoyed hanging out in the audience cheering her brother on.

Oliver did a great job.  He was a little nervous at first but after a minute, he nailed it!  He didn't want to go down and see Santa after his dance though.  He wanted to stay with Aunt Jacqie.  He told me later, "Santa made me nervous."

I was kind of surprised that he wanted to be in the finale but he did great!  Of course, he was front and center :)

After the show Nana, Papa, Grandma, and Grandpa came over for lunch to celebrate the kids' great performance. 

The kids had a blast trying on Nana's new wig. Claire looked so cute with straight hair!

Oliver looked like a little Joe Dirt.

Great job Claire and Oliver!  I am so proud of you both!!!!!!!!

Polar Express

Today we took our annual train ride on the Polar Express.  Not everyone made it this year and we missed everyone that couldn't make it but we still had a nice time.

Claire loved hanging out with her bestie Giada.

Nicholas enjoyed his train ride!  He was such a good boy!

Kayden was a perfect angel the whole time.  Look at those lashes!

Grandma had fun playing guitar with the musicians.

And of course, Mark had to have a turn.

Aunt Erin bought these super cool glasses for the kids and Oliver LOVED his!

Claire was a big fan too.

I was so happy that there was snow this year but it was a little chilly.  

Nicholas was a trooper waiting in line to see Santa.

And Uncle Nick kept the girls busy while they waited.

Claire was so excited when she saw her name on the "Nice List".

And Oliver was pretty pumped to see his name too.

The kids were so excited to sit on Santa's lap! But when Santa asked them what they wanted for Christmas neither of them could remember what they wanted and they just stared at them. All Claire wanted to tell Santa was that Cozy (our Elf On The Shelf) was here.

The Komosinski cousins with Santa.

I tried to get a nice picture of the kids all together but this was the best I could do.  Mark did get to do his annual photobomb though.

Finally it was time to take the train back.  Everyone was a little beat on the way back.

Especially the men.

They all fell asleep.

Owen was still ready to rock and roll.

My snow babies.

Grandpa was the only man who managed to stay awake on the ride back.

We even managed to get a nice picture of the Komosinski cousins.

And I got a nice family picture.

And a silly one.

It was another great year on the Polar Express.  It was so fun to see the kids really enjoy themselves!  I can't believe this is the fourth year that we have done this!  My babies are growing up way too fast!

Happy Thanksgiving!

This year I have so much to be thankful for.  I am thankful for so many things that I don't even think that I can list them all.  But most of all, I am thankful for my family.  I have the most perfect children in the world and the best husband that anyone can ask for.  I am also blessed with a great extended family and wonderful in laws. 

The thing that I am the most thankful for this year is my mother.  She was diagnosed with breast cancer in August and is now going through chemo.  It has been tough but she has been so strong.  I love her very much and I am so thankful that she is on the mend.    I have truly learned that your every breath is a gift and I will not take anything for granted!!

Claire and Oliver had a touch of a cough so just to be safe they wore masks, which they thought was totally awesome. 

Since my mother wasn't feeling well my Auntie Rose had Thanksgiving this year and we had a great time.

 My little Turkeys.

Oliver had a great time playing dinosaurs with Fran.

The guys did a great job deep frying the turkey.

Claire told me that she didn't need to bring any toys with her to Auntie Rose's house because, "As long as Leah will be there I will perfectly content hanging out with her."

It was another great Thanksgiving and I just loved being with my family.

Girls Day

Last weekend Claire enjoyed a great girls day with her besties Giada and Bella.  We signed the girls up for a cute art class and then we enjoyed a delicious lunch and some games!  It was a great day!

Claire really loved the class.  The teacher was great and guided the girls without doing it for them.  It was great!

The girls all loved making their turkeys.

The girls with their final products.

I LOVE them!!!

After the class we had a nice lunch!

The girls had a blast playing a game and everyone won a prize!!!

The final product looks beautiful hanging in our house!!

Niagara Falls Marathon

On October 27th Mark ran in the Niagara Falls Marathon.  This was his first full marathon and we were all there to cheer him on!

Even though it was a little chilly, it was a beautiful day!  Here is Mark just about to cross the finish line.  For just having Run 26.2 miles I think he looks pretty good!

The kids were so proud of their Daddy!  Here they are right after Daddy finished the race!

Me and my favorite runner.

We all had a great time!  

We are so proud of you Mark!!!

Next up...THE IRONMAN!!