Snow and Ice

Last Thursday we had a rare snow day in NYC with school canceled. We really miss those Charlotte shut down days (I think they've had at least 3 this year) because Jake still had to go to work. Once Rachel learned that nobody else was going to be at school she was ecstatic. I did my very best to entertain her. We played in the snow, baked cookies, did various arts and crafts, read lots of books, watched a movie, played computer games and by 2:00 I was exhausted of energy and ideas and Rachel was begging for more fun. I was grateful to have her for the day, but I'm also grateful she's in school where they can provide the stimulation she needs everyday. She would turn to mush like Tommy and I are with the countless hours we spend doing practically nothing inside this winter.
Just outside our complex
I made this cute hat. But I cheated with one of those knifty looms.100 pieces!
Watching Pete's Dragon. I just love how they wanted to sit together in the rocking chair, and they really loved the movie!On the way home from school on Friday I went by way of river to check out the chunks of ice drifting down the Hudson. Crazy cold around here. There's been talk from the locals that this winter is exceptionally cold compared to their typical winters. I knew it would be my luck after experiencing one of the hottest summers!Saturday Jake and I went on a date to Central Park. I've been wanting to see it with freshly fallen snow. We had a great time exploring and then warming up with "tea" and scones at Alice's Tea Cup. It was so nice to get out, even if it was in the cold.

Hope

Last week was one tough week!!! Was it the freezing temperatures- being cooped up in a small space all day long and the bundling battles? The kids fighting and not listening? Jake working long hours and having to do the nightly routine of dinner, baths, clean up, getting ready for bed all by myself? My heart breaking for my husband and the way he is being treated despite his best efforts and sacrifices at work? Sleep training Katelyn? The apartment being a complete disaster...honestly, I don't think one thing was in the right place. Who knows? I reached a breaking point and broke down like never before. Feelings of self-doubt, despair, loneliness were overwhelming. Luckily I don't dwell down there too long. Sunday was rejuvenating for me with the talks in Church of hope and Christ...

"It is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his might storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall"

I can do this, I can make it through...I just can't do it alone

and there are moments each day with these kids that just seem to make it all worth it!
I love picking up this smiling face from school everyday
and her fun little ideas
being carefree with this kid who was in his pjs and playing his legos literally all day longfinding so much joy in the simple things
seeing this little one learn and grow so fast, reaching milestones of rolling over, and finding her feet, she is so happy and always smilingmaybe because she is so loved
Jake had to work yesterday and has to today as well. This week might be another grueling week, but then it should calm down after that, spring will come, Jake will switch jobs, Kate will learn to sleep through the night...

A post the size of Texas

We had SUCH a great time in Austin! I loved the warm weather, letting the kids run out to the backyard to play at their own will, and without having to bundle all of them up (although it was chilly for a few days). The kids having cousins to play with, even neighbors. Still a foreign concept to me. Great company and conversations, hot tubbing, playing cards, watching movies, eating lots of Belgian chocolate and candy...

Ah, vacation! I really love it!
First night we get a babysitter and we go downtown Austin to see the Mariachi's, and a little bit of the city and capital building.Here's what Kate thought of the trumpet player. She was in a good sleep.
Somehow there were little packets of oatmeal (neighbor gift? I'm not sure) for the kids to put out on the lawn for the reindeer to eat. We told Tommy to go feed the reindeer...so he did!
Christmas Eve dinner. Aren't they all so well behaved?
Making cookies for Santa, uh Tommy, these are for Santa
Isn't it great how excited and willing kids are to go to bed on Christmas Eve?
Santa's surprises
Nothing beats the excitement of Christmas morning!
Her absolute FAVORITE of all the gifts. She even wrote a letter to the elves thanking them for making such a "wonderful" Tinkerbell doll. I just love her!

Matching keyboards...a big hit! The nice thing is they have volume control :)Like father, like son. He LOVES eggnog!!
This sums up how Kate was on this trip, GOLDEN! Super happy baby, and slept really good! (Too bad my other kids didn't, I could have really caught up). And we'll have to go back, because since we've been home she's gotten into her old habits of waking up a lot.
A definite highlight of the trip was our walk and bike ride around Austin. Beautiful weather and beautiful scenery!
What a trooper this little one was on the tandem bike for an hour.And another trooper...Grandma Packer, Gram Cracker, Grandma Grape (I love all her names). 84 and still has tons of energy. I was really impressed how well she kept up with this crowd.

The whole gang. We all fit under one roof :) Which went well, except for my sick kids keeping everybody up at night :( Although it's hard to tell from the pictures, my kids were pretty sick with fevers and bad coughs. Luckily, Katelyn never got the fever.
We went to the Oasis restaurant that overlooks Lake Travis. A spectacular view!
And some fun shots of my kids


The Tree of Life. Well, not sure what it's called but it's one beautiful tree.
Santa left his sleigh. Wow!
Tommy loves wearing his super hero cape! (Thanks Grandma!!) And since he was dressing up for the occasion, he grabbed Daddy a tie...
Our last day in Texas we went to San Antonio. The most beautiful day too! 74 degrees!!!!!!
We stopped first at the Temple.
Two crazy girlies with their Hello Kitty shirts. Too cute!
Then we went to the Alamo. Pop, Grammie and Natalie offered to watch the kids in the garden while we toured the inside. We finish up and come out to find this perfect, calm little scene.
HOWEVER, it was a bit more exciting than that! Tommy managed to get his little head STUCK in that little drain hole. Tom was the first to try to get him out, then Anita, no luck, then Natalie, still no luck. So, if you can picture it...Tommy screaming at the top of his lungs (and calling for his daddy), a large crowd of people gathering, park rangers running over, and Natalie on the phone with 911. I'm glad I wasn't there, but what a story it tells!! One of the tourists that came over to see what the commotion was about crept down to look in the hole and found a way for Tommy to turn his head to get out. Luckily that happened before any fire engines and chisels had to show up. After an ice pack he only came away with a small bump and scratch. All the kids got Alamo suckers and star pins from the Rangers.
He was pretty proud to tell Daddy all about...good thing he wasn't too traumatized! He almost went as far as demonstrating what he did to show him, but luckily everyone jumped to him, "No, Tommy!"
Oh, the Alamo
The river walk in San Antonio. Where's Waldo?

Thanks again Portugals for being AMAZING hosts!!! We love where you live and we're so happy we got to come and see it all. I hope your family feels better soon.

Our flight home went really smoothly. No throwing up, some minor ear discomforts, but they were all very happy and well behaved. Our trip home from the airport was another story. After 80 elevators, a kid who had walked enough, lugging all of our carry-ons to get to the airtrain and subway, and hailing three taxis to take us the last mile home and no one would take us...2 1/2 hours later we arrive at our apartment. New Years Eve and I was asleep by 7:30 (allergies+airplane pressure+stress=very bad headache) but Katelyn decided to wake up at 11:45 and I noticed a bunch of boats out on the water, so I woke up Jake and we watched a somewhat obstructed firework show over the Statue of Liberty. My kind of way to celebrate the holiday.

Monday was an extremely hard "back to reality" day. I'm ready for another vacation :)