Christmas to New Years Day

The big day has finally arrived! Christmas morning---the day children wait all year for.  This year did not disappoint.  We went to bed on Christmas Eve not completely sure if we made it on the Nice List so we were soooo excited and soooo surprised when we came down in the morning and saw that Santa had come.  

heading to bed on Christmas Eve

He came!!!

Christmas brunch was back at the Carolina Inn.  After 5 years of going for this meal, this was the first time that I felt like complaining.  The food wasn't great and our table was the worst in the building.  I think I will search for a new place for next year.  After lunch the kids and I went for our annual walk around the neighborhood while Oscar went for a run.  

evening concert

 The week between Christmas and New Years was pretty uneventful.  In order to get my workouts in I took the kids to a new drop in childcare center which they absolutely love and are constantly begging to visit.  We also spent one afternoon playing in the pool at the Wellness Center and another afternoon playing at Walker's preschool playground.

Then it was New Year's Eve and time for our annual fancy party.  This year was a struggle for me.  I just felt like staying in my sweats and watching the last of the Hallmark Christmas movies.  But I rallied and managed to put on a dress and light some sparklers.  New Years day had the kiddos in the pajamas all day.  For the first time that I can recall there was no Rose Parade on January 1st due to that being on a Sunday but we still had our New Years stone crab claws along with our southern traditional black-eyed peas and greens.  And I slowly started taking down all the Christmas decorations.  Really it's the saddest day all year for me.  

Now it's time to get serious about my marathon training and focus on Boston in April! Happy New Year all!!!

A Holly Jolly Month

December started off with a fabulous 4 days in NYC.  I say it every year and every year I'm more convinced that there really is no place like New York City at Christmastime.  The kiddos and I flew up early Thursday morning so we were able to spend the entire day walking and playing in the city.  Friday was spent much the same but included lunch at the American Girl Cafe and then dinner at Artisanal with our favorite NY crew, the Austin family.

Savannah riding solo on the plane--such a big girl

fun times in the park

piano time at Eloise's at the Plaza

lunch with Samantha at American Girl

a late birthday celebration 

yummy cupcakes

 Oscar spent Saturday with us doing all of our usual festive city things: ice skating in Central Park, seeing the Macy's Santa, taking in the sights around town, and finishing it off with dinner at Balthazar.

Walker's first time ice skating

she made it all the way around the rink unassisted

W decided he's too little to ice skate

S made friends with city kids while playing in the park

love these Austin kiddos

yearly family Santa pic

ready to jump on the Polar Express

first time enjoying roasted cashews 

my flight buddy on the way home

Back in Chapel Hill we continued our yearly traditions: picking out their 2015 ornaments for the family tree, decorating gingerbread houses, dinner with Santa, a holiday production, celebrating birthdays, and Disney on Ice.

Anna ornament for Savannah

Dusty for Walker

finally a Santa pic with no crying kiddos

my little Rudolph at school pickup

dinner with the PopUp ladies

my first Girls on the Run 5K

Disney on Ice

picking out a real tree

at a live production of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

Walker's first face painting

Walker's birthday was on a Friday and his party was the next day at Chapel Hill Gymnastics.  I've done a separate post dedicated to his special weekend.

My birthday spent watching Alvin and the Chipmunks with these cuties

and because it was my special day both kiddos agreed to smile with Santa

birthday dinner out with my birthday twin

Elf jammies delivered by Wink and Charlie

Christmas Eve love

getting out some Christmas energy on a rainy Christmas Eve 

Christmas morning was full of excitement and surprise!  Walker received trains, trucks, diggers, Avengers, Buzz Lightyear, and mini roller skates.  Savannah received Calico Critters, Barbies, ice skates, American Girl accessories, and a few other odd and ends.  A see-saw was given to them to share.

Santa came!!

Bunny Bear is back!

trying out Walker's digger

family selfie with Dad's new selfie stick

lunch at the Carolina Inn

these cuties!

The week between Christmas and New Years was filled with a lot of rain and two very hyper children.  To say that I was ready for the end of Christmas break would be an understatement.  My children definitely thrive with a routine and structure which we had neither of during the entire break.  Finally it was Thursday and time for the Alvarez family Fancy New Year's Eve party which coincided with Clemson's bowl game (we won! Now headed to the National Championship!).    

more selfie stick action

and more

how did we ever live without it??!!

ringing in the new year with London

Go Tigers!!!

And that brings us to the new year.  I can't wait to see what all 2016 has in store for our little family.  Here's hoping for many more special moments spent with all the people we love.