One more day.

So, we're headed out to see the family tomorrow night. Starting at about 1030 it'll be a 17 hour drive to Connecticut. I'm so excited. I haven't seen my family since the wedding in April, but it seems like so much longer. And I get to take Erin and Alexa to The Big Apple (NYC for those not in the know). One of the first places that Erin wants to go is Rockefeller Center to see the tree and to go up to the look-out deck. I'm just excited to see the look on Alexa's face when she sees all the buildings and the subways and the cabs and the buses and the people. She can get very sheltered growing up in St. Marys. I know because I grew up there and it is quite depressing. But, all that is slowly changing. There are lots more of these family trips that we are planning for the future. Perhaps next on the list, Chicago - The Windy City. How awesome would that be. So, off to New York it is. I'll be posting a ton of photos when we get back from the trip so stay tuned!

An Early Christmas

So, this passed weekend was, as all weekends, pretty packed. But we did get a little time to let Alexa open some of her Christmas presents from Erin and I. It was so much fun. The coolest thing for me, was a couple of days before I got to put together this mammoth doll house for her. That was one of the coolest things I have done as a father in a long time. But enough of that. Back to Alexa's Christmas presents. :-) As you can see, we had a couple of things for her. The Dollhouse was the biggest obviously. I did something kind of funny with it. When I got done putting it together, I took the wrapping paper and placed it around it and on top of it to make it look like it had sprung right out of the box complete and intact. I think I'm the only one that found that funny, but hey, that's me.

So, then she went on to some other presents. Erin and I got her this totally cool Barbie SUV Limo. This thing is awesome. It's got a juice bar, cause Barbie doesn't drink (yeah right), and a freakin' hot tub! The roof also retracts up to reveal the stereo and like 3 TV's. It's insane, but she loved it. I have to admit it was pretty cool. She also got a couple new barbies/bratz dolls with some clothes too. And Erin's parents got her this set of American Girl books, which I was so happy to see. She has a hard time getting into books because it's always been a "chore" or an "assignment" for her. She's never really been able to read for fun, so we're trying to encourage that as much as we can, and she's coming along with it.

Alexa had a bang up time. And then she and Darcy went out to the playroom and did the Barbie thing for a couple of hours while we adults did the chatting thing. It was a cool day. But nothing compared to what is coming up next week. Connecticut here we come!

Tis' The Season

Tis' the season to be jolly, and all that. We put our Christmas trees up this weekend. It was a jolly family affair for everyone, even Eddie who tried his best to join in on the fun. It's our first weekend with Alexa in three weeks so we're doing our best to make the most of the time that we have. The trees are looking amazing. Erin has a knack for this kind of stuff that I simply do not posses. Which is why I am behind the camera and not screwing up the decorations. So, enough of my blathering. Here are some shots from our decorating extravaganza!