January

On New Year's Eve we decided to celebrate as a family at home.  We told the kids that they could stay up until midnight.  Gracie lasted until ~10:20 and zonked out on the couch.  At about 11, Grant decided to go to bed but thought he might just lay down for a bit and would try to stay awake to see the ball drop.  Of course, he was out in a second.  We recorded the ball drop for them so they could see it in the morning.

 Aunt Amy got us tickets to see the Erie Otters.  Grant and Grace both loved it!

These two were dancing and cheering the whole time.  Gracie couldn't believe she was "at a real hockey game!"

We finally got around to rejuvenating Grant's room.

Most of the month was filled with Daemen basketball games, skiing, trips to the zoo, board games, and hiking (with a sled for the kids when they got tired!).

Other December Happenings...

...included lots of fun at Holiday Valley.  Also, Lara and Gracie went with some friends to another local ski resort, kissing bridge.

We went to the fireworks at Niagara Falls.

We found a new favorite loop to hike at Beaver Island State Park.

One day Grant thought up the idea of having an apple taste test.  Grant and Gracie voted their favorite as Opal, Lara voted Cortland, and I voted Honeycrisp.

Christmas/Winter Break

Over Christmas break we took the kids to the theater for the FIRST TIME!  When Sing came out they really wanted to see it.  Seemed like a good time to try it out.

We did some hiking and sled riding on the Island too.  The hill by the library had just enough snow on it for us to sled ride.  We do a nice hike at Buckhorn where we get to let the dogs run loose.

Of course the other great thing we did while Grant was off school was go skiing!!  This is the second season that the kids have been skiing.  Grace only skied once last year but we are still counting that!
They are doing great and really seem to love the sport.  Looking forward to many more ski trips.

Christmas 2016

Our first Christmas celebration was in Ohio.  This was our first Christmas in their new home.  It was a wonderful visit (as always)!  The kids always have a blast but this trip seemed to be exceptionally fun for them!  They played so good this year after opening presents!  We didn't get many photos but these are a couple good ones.

This is everyone with their 2 dollar bill from Papa Jim!

Next we were down to  Washington on the 23rd to visit Aunt Peggy and Aunt Connie.  Again, another great visit and we never get enough photos!!!  The kids got way to much stuff, but they were having a blast with all of it.  Thank you Aunt Connie and Peggy for a wonderful Christmas celebration!!!

Next was Christmas Eve at our house.  Our tradition is that Grant and Grace open the presents that they got for each other.

 Christmas Eve night!!

Christmas morning I am never good with photos.  I set up a camcorder by the tree and let it run while they are opening.  Other then that I never get many.  So here is one I took after presents and before they started stockings.

Raymour and Luna got in on the action a little too!!

Now this brings us to the rest of Christmas day.  After we open our presents we head to Grama and Papa's house to celebrate with cousins.

This year most of the kids played musical chairs.  It was a lot fun for them and for us to watch!  Ty  was the winner!!