CHRISTMAS DAY

Christmas day we headed up to Grandma and Grandpa's house and joined Great Grandma, Nana, and the Makowskys'. The boys had a ton of fun opening presents and playing with their new toys. We were so excited to get a picture of the entire family (we're not sure how it happened, perhaps a Christmas miracle), but it's amazing that we were all looking forward and smiling.

CHRISTMAS MORNING

Santa was extremely generous to Ryan- he must have been a very good little boy this year. As you can see, all that gift unwrapping can be exhausting.

CHRISTMAS EVE

Christmas Eve was spent & enjoyed at Uncle Joe and Aunt Tracey's home with Robyn and Marissa, the DiPalmas', Walkers', and Novys'. The kids were all so excited to see Santa come around on the fire truck and to open presents. When we got home Ryan left Santa a note and milk/cookies.

GIANTS 34, PANTHERS 28 FINAL IN OVERTIME!

The NFC road to the Super Bowl will run through the Meadowlands because the Giants did what they had to do against frigid, swirling wind -- run the ball. The Giants clinched the top seed in the NFC as I clinched my back all night. Earlier in the day I injured a muscle in my back and could barely walk, yet alone stand up straight. I wasn't going to pass up this game with Seals, Marc, Lou, Drew, and Jon so against better judgment I went to the game.


The night went something like this: met at the Blarney and I barely made it out (strangers thought I was going to throw up from drinking, but it was only pain that was doubling me over), went to the game and barely made it onto the bus, from the bus barely made it inside the stadium, security got me a golf cart and new seats (handicap), Marc and I sat in the lower level while everyone else was in the regular seats (3rd level), started to leave at the half, dead guy took my golf cart, second golf cart ride took me back to the gate, then "small yellow bus" took us all to the car (they thought I was mentally challenged, only reason they took us), listened to the greatest game of the year in the car on the way home!

Thanks for all the help that night guys, that is one game I'll remember for awhile...
(VIDEO: Brandon Jacobs 1st half TD run, last play I saw that night.)

Thanksgiving

Jen and I hosted Thanksgiving at our home for the first time this year. Grandma and Grandpa, Nana, Uncle Brian, Aunt Vanessa, and Grandma joined Jen, Ryan, and I to enjoy a feast. The food came out perfect and everyone enjoyed a very happy holiday. Hopefully Aunt Stef takes over again next year, but we would gladly host Thanksgiving again.

Thanksgiving Preview at School

Ryan's school hosted a Thanksgiving feast that Grandma and Grandpa attended. Ryan ate some corn one kernel at a time and really enjoyed having Grandma and Grandpa at school with him. Surprisingly, at nap time he was ready to say goodbye and went to sleep (must be nice).

Where's Ryan?

After a long day of errands and playing (and no nap), Jen and I noticed it got very quiet. We found Ryan in his playroom under his train table fast asleep at 5pm (he slept right through until 7am the next morning).

Robert Comes to Visit

Aunt Stef and Robert came to visit this weekend. Robert was a perfect guest and enjoyed playing with cousin Ryan. With Stef and Bobs crazy work schedule, hopefully we can take advantage of any upcoming free weekends with another visit.

House of 1000 Pumpkins

There is a house in Spotswood that carves and lights at least 300-500 pumpkins. It is really an amazing sight (and smells great) that is hard to do justice with photos. Anyone in the area next October has to plan on stopping by to see this first hand.

Trick or Treat

Brett, Thomas, and Ryan all enjoyed trick or treating together again this year. They all had a great time and received lots of goodies around grandma and grandpas neighborhood. Thomas went as the Hulk, Brett and Spider Man, and Ryan as a Vampire.

Fall Fishing

On a cool Sunday morning my coworker Mike and I got some fishing in at Stone Tavern Lake. Following Captain Ed's advised trolling technique we caught quite a few bass and one very large crappie.

Touch-A-Truck

Sunday we joined the Makowsky's at one of the boys favorite events, touch-a-truck charity event. Trucks and cars of all kinds are fully accessible to climb in and out of, homk horns, and turn on flashing lights.

Saturday was spent with Aunt Stef, Brett, and Thomas going a a hayride, picking pumpkins, and going through a corn maze.

Apple Picking

Today we went apple picking at Battleview Orchards with Grandma and Grandpa. This was Ryan's first time apple picking and he really enjoyed it, he liked sneaking bites from a fresh picked apple and asked Jen to make him apple pie.

Today Ryan, Jen, and I took advantage of the great weather and visited 2 local state parks, we went to the Manasqaun Reservoir and the Plainsboro Preserve. As usual Ryan kept us on the move as he was climbing, exploring, and finding (what else) bugs and rocks.