Christmas 2010

Christmas was huge this year! The boys got more presents than they knew what to do with. I don't think they even remember all that they received. It was amazing. Gramma and Grandpa out did themselves. Thank you for making the boys Christmas so special. It was one that they will remember forever.

Grady and Nicholas were ready to open presents

Myles with a hand (and mouth) full of goodies.

Grady's big present from Gramma and Grandpa.

On Christmas afternoon we all loaded up and went to visit Josh's Uncle Greg and Aunt Laura. It was a big family gathering, with Josh's grandpa, Aunt Patti, Uncle Steve,all of the cousins and Lauras side of the family as well. AND.......more food!! I swear Laura must have cooked for days. It just kept coming out of the kitchen....I didn't think it would ever stop. The setting was so fun, Greg had his basement set up like a little Italian restaurant.

Jake, Patti and Brittany.

Uncle Greg, manning the bar.

Grady and his buddy AJ

Amanda and Grady

They boys received even more presents. Thank you Patti, Steve, Greg and Laura!!

Myles, Brittany and Lexi

All of the cousins

I had to take a few more pictures of our car. We loaded up and headed out to Virginia. I sat Indian style for 5 hours as we had so much stuff to pack in.

Do you think it's time for a new vehicle? We are thinking this trip might have pushed us to get rid of our beloved Prius. Stay tuned for our Virginia Christmas.......

Christmas Eve in Pittsburgh

Christmas Eve was a very busy one at Gramma and Grandpa's house. It started out bright and early with cooking. Then Grandma Nancy and Grandpa Joseph came over bearing gifts. We ate a huge, delicious lunch and then Grandpa Joseph taught the boys how to make cannolis.

The boys were jumping around with anticipation just waiting for the Man in Red to make an appearance. The stockings were hung, the cookies and milk were waiting and there were even some carrots for the reindeer. All was ready for the big day.......

Connor, Nicholas, Myles and Grady

There are some major pluses when marrying into an Italian family. One being the WONDERFUL food. Josh and Nick made homemade pasta. Gramma and Grandpa made sauce, meatballs and brassoli (pounded steak stuffed with dressing). Plus, Gramma famous cookies
and Grandpa Joseph's cannoli.

The boys opened gifts from Grandma Nancy and Grandpa Joseph. A precursor to the big day....just warming up. Thank you Grandma Nancy and GJ. You made the boys so happy! Not just with presents but with you all being here.

The kids table. Notice Grady opted for yogurt and grapes instead of the mouth watering fare we were dining on.

We were all ready to chow down.

The Yardley Scalas....all in a food coma after dinner.

Grandpa Joseph began to make cannolis

Soon the little ones surrounded him. The boys had a great time helping him out.

Myles enjoyed Grandma Nancy feeding him.

A little piece of heaven!

Christmas Cookie Time

The boys made Christmas sugar cookies with Gramma and Grandpa. They were nice enough to have to cookies already made. All the boys had to do was decorate them with sprinkles and icing. The cookies were made from Peter's grandmothers recipe. Not only did they look beautiful, they tasted delicious. This should be a Christmas tradition!!

Grady, Gramma and Nicholas

Everyone hard at work. Look at the concentration on the boys faces.

G and his works of art.

Guess who had the red sprinkles? I think Nicholas put more in his mouth than on the cookies.

Grandpa and his little helper.

The finished product

Children's Museum of Pittsburgh

Today we all loaded up and went to the Children's Museum of Pittsburgh. It was to coolest kids museum that I have ever been to. They had a little something for everyone and all ages to enjoy. Since we are members of our local science center, we got in for free. You can't beat that!

The building was awesome. It was a "green" building and LEED certified. It was loaded with amazing environmentally friendly features. I wish we had something like this at home. I would be there all winter long.

The museum started with an art room. The kids could paint, play with playdough, sew, and make several other crafts.

Grady Van Gogh

This wall was made for climbing. The kids were like mice running around in a cage. Grady loved it but Myles was a little to small to get up the steps.

This was fun. You stood in front of a screen and tried to catch letters.

Flying a biplane

Playing in the wind tunnel. Notice the fabric flying around?

Grady and Nicholas made parachutes and tried to make them fly through a wind tunnel.

Aunt Carolyn and Connor playing with the bubble table.

All the boys playing with the bird seed exhibit

Finally, we headed up to the water room. The kids geared up in rain coats and crocs. There were several pools (one that showed you how a dam works), fountains coming out of the floor, and pipes squirting out of the wall. Talk about fun!

Grady and Nicholas, best buddies.

Gramma, Nicholas and Myles hooked up a fountain.

Drying off after all the splashing. Aren't those toes cute?

Despite wearing a rain coat, Grady was soaked. How am I not surprised?

Clown Car

The Black Mountain Scalas are extremely efficient. We fit two adults, two boys, two dogs and a cat in a Prius for a 10 day vacation. Can you believe it??!! The dogs rode in the hatchback, the cat in his carrier below Myles feet and the luggage in the topper. It was a tight squeeze for our 8 hour ride to Pittsburgh but we made it safe and sound.

We were unable to find anyone to watch our dogs over Christmas so they came along for the ride.
Gumbo says hello from the back. I think the boys were singing Feliz Navidad....

Getting ready for the ride.

Bed Buddies

Lately, the boys have been asking to sleep together. Myles is constantly asking, "sleep with deedle (his name for G)?" So, last week we started to let them crash in Grady's room. They are loving it and sleeping so much better. They were both waking up a lot and calling for us. Now, they can just cuddle up together.

After the holidays, we are going to buy them bunk beds and make a joint bed room. They love it and we will have our guest room back. I'm so glad they are such great friends.

Both boys are crazy sleepers. I think G had Myles in a choke hold.

Notice how neither of them will stay under the covers.

A Wedding Weekend

I've been slacking on my posts but I have a good reason. We have all had a mysterious illness. The boys had it last week, Josh had it this past weekend and right when I thought I was in the clear.....it hit me too. Luckily, mine only lasted one day. The boys didn't get off so easily.

So, I'm back on track. Last weekend we went to Aiken, South Carolina for a wedding. Grandpa Peter's daughter, Nikita got married and we were there to celebrate. The boys loved that we had a hotel room adjoining Gramma and Grandpa's room. It made it easier for nap time and bed time as well. Plus, we got to hang with the grandparents the entire time. It was great to catch up.

The wedding was beautiful and quite a cultural event. The groom's family was from Guyana and they were Muslim. Many of the family were dressed in traditional clothing which was gorgeous. They had two services, a blessing from the grooms side with the couple in traditional garb and the second was a Christian service. It was a very unique service, Josh and I enjoyed it very much. Congrats Nikita and Safraz.

Okay, I never dress the boys the same. I really do not like it but I forgot their shirts at home. Left them hanging on the door knob. So, I ran to Sears and found these shirts for $3.99. Perfect! They never wear collared shirts so I didn't want to spend too much.

This was the first ceremony. A blessing from the grooms grandfather.

The second ceremony. Peter and Nikita.

Peter and his newest grandson, Colton.

Waiting for the reception to begin.

Let the dancing begin. The boys hit the dance floor as soon as we walked in. They put on quite a show and loved every minute.

Not sure what this dance move is??

How old is my husband.....ummm 5? Did I mention this was a dry wedding?

Myles got in on the action.

Gramma showed some moves to the boys. Funny Grady story: We were leaving for the wedding and Grady spied Gramma in her fancy dress. He yelled, "Sweet dress, Gramma!" Did I mention we were in the lobby of the hotel. The ladies at the front desk were laughing their heads off. A funny statement coming from a 3 year old.

Wedding Katharine had to make an appearance. As many of you all know, if I have too many drinks I hit the dance floor. Well, this was a dry wedding so I only broke it down once. I just can't sit still when they bust out the Electric Slide. The only problem was that the bride and groom were in their early 20's and NO ONE knew the Electric Slide. I couldn't believe it!!! Who doesn't know that dance. Okay, I have to admit, it made me feel old. Luckily, Shelley helped me out with the moves. We made quite a team on the dance floor.

Notice my dress...yes, it is zebra print. When I put it on and walked in the room, G said, "hey Dad, there is a big zebra in the room". Just what a girl wants to hear.

Grady and Myles inspired a few other kids to dance. They had their own line dance going.

Grady actually asked this lady to dance. I was shocked! He picked the tallest girl in the room. I swear she was 6 ft tall. He had a smile from ear to ear.

Saying bye to Grandpa. We will see you all next week.