"It's Christmas time in the City!"

The past few weeks have been filled with a lot of excitement and anticipation for the upcoming holidays (especially by my 2 1/2 year old son!) It's been really fun this year preparing for the holidays because Noah definitely understands more and gets excited about all of the new things he hears about. He's currently obsessed with the songs "Jingle Bells" and "Frosty the Snowman" and sings them incessantly. He also loved going to pick out our Christmas tree and decorating it (i.e. eating all of the candy canes while we decorated it!)

We also had a great visit with nana and grandpa-pa who came out last weekend just to celebrate a little early with us and enjoy the Christmas excitement in the city. We took Noah to Santaland at Macy's again this year, which was a big hit. He definitely understood who he was a little more (almost too much) because he was really hesitant to sit on his lap, but warmed up to him quickly when he started talking about bringing him toys! We also went and saw the Rockafeller tree, made Christmas cookies with nana and grandpa-pa, and had a great time at our ward Christmas cabaret.

The weather has really been crazy here -- probably not as crazy as some parts of the rest of the country are experiencing -- but really cold and snowy already. It just seems too early for all of this! But, it has been nice to have snow for Christmas and Noah had a blast trekking around in it last weekend. He really wanted to make a snowman, but the snow just wouldn't hold together well enough. We had fun anyway and are really excited to go sledding and gma S's house this weekend.

here are some pics:

getting our annual Christmas tree from the Canadians that sell them on the street

not too sure about Santa

Rockafeller Tree!

making cookies with grandpa-pa

suddenly deciding he wanted to get up on stage with the big kids and sing Jingle Bells

stomping around in the first snow of the season
(trying desperately to make a snowman)

ready to swing in any type of weather!

little vac-ay

This past weekend we took a little weekend trip to Florida. Noah and I tagged along on Jon's work conference in Boca Raton. It was so nice to get away and it was a far cry from the nasty 30 degree weather NYC was experiencing. We're talking 85 degrees on the beach and 75 degrees in the water! I seriously couldn't believe the weather. When we stepped outside early in the morning it was perfect room temperature. Now I understand why so many people retire down there! Our weekend consisted of pretty much the same routine... we ate the lovely continental breakfast at the hotel, played at the beach all morning, slept the afternoons away, and then hung out with Jon in the evenings. It was perfect.

We were slightly concerned about the sleeping arrangement with Noah because that can always quickly ruin a vacation. He's not used to sleeping in the same room with us and is easily distracted by little noises, etc. when he's trying to fall asleep. But after a little finagling we were able to squeeze the hotel crib into the vanity area and then cover the doorway with a sheet. Noah actually loved sleeping in his little cave and kept asking to play in his crib. He even took great naps -- which is always a plus for a 6-month pregnant mommy!

All in all it was a successful trip and I'm so glad we went along. It was just really nice to getaway as a family and spend some quality time together.

here are some pics:

Noah learned the phrase

"this is the life..."

while relaxing on his beach chair

he got over his fear of the ocean on this trip --

most likely because the water was so warm!

showing off his "crib"

nothing says Christmas like palm trees in lights!