Fun with cousins in Albany

The Muppets!

After a failed attempt at a movie in the theater when Ryan was about 2 1/2, we waited awhile and decided he is now old enough to try again.  Since it was New Year's Day, and we didn't have a lot of other plans, Ryan's Nana and I decided to take him to see The Muppets. I knew he would have no problem sitting still for an entire movie, I just worried that the volume would still be too loud.  And, during the previews, he kept saying "The movie is going to be quieter than this, right??"  I assured him (and hoped!) it would be.  And once the movie started, things went off without a hitch.  He did great through almost the entire movie, until the end, when Kermit is threatened by a "bad guy" and Ryan got very upset, starting to cry, and saying "I want Kermit to win!"  He crawled onto my lap for the rest of the movie, and we got through it.  

Christmas Day 2011 in Pictures

Cookies for Santa

When we got home from Christmas Eve dinner, we set out cookies and Natty Boh for Santa (doens't everyone leave beer for Santa?), and then I was excited to continue a tradition of watching "Twas the Night Before Christmas" before Ryan went to bed.  My little worrywart, however, could not relax and enjoy the show.  He was too worried that Santa would come while we were still awake, and move on to the next house after seeing people were still up.  We didn't even get through half of the show when he told me he had to go to bed before Santa came and he didn't want to watch any more TV.  he then instructed Tim and I to go to bed as well!

Christmas Eve Dinner

This year, as we planned our Christmas Eve dinner with the Karpewiczs, we assumed we would go to the same place as the past 2 years - Yellow Dog Tavern.  It's close and we have always enjoyed our meals there.  Unfortunately they, along with many other bars/restaurants in Baltimore, decicded to close their doors after the end of the Ravens game, and would not be open for dinner.  After brainstorming a bit, we decided to go to Speakeasy in Canton Square.  It turned out to be a great decision, as Canton Square was decorated for Christmas with tons of props that made for great photo opps with Ryan and Ava.  And a bit of a longer walk just allowed for more time for Ryan and Ava to belt out Christmas Carols at the top of their lungs.  We had a great meal, a fun walk to and from the restaurant, and overall another wonderful Christmas Eve with the Karpewiczs!

Christmas Eve 2011 - Pre Dinner

This year, for the third year in a row, we stayed in Baltimore to celebrate Christmas as a family of three.  we have really enjoyed these new traditions that we created with the perfect mix of spending time with friends, and having our own little holiday at home.  It turned out that the Ravens were playing on Christmas Eve this year, so we invited the Cardwells and Karpewiczs over for the game and some snacks and drinks.  I gave Tim one of his Christmas presents early  - so he could wear his new Ravens jersey to watch the game..

Ryan and Laura decorating cookies for Santa

 Ryan loves the Cardwells!

 Ryan, the magician and Laura, his faithful assistant

 Tim and his new jersey

Ryan and Ava

 Reading Twas the Night Before Christmas

 Cardwells and Doodys

 Karpewiczs and Doodys

Cousin Love

It was a no brainer what Ryan would bring in for show and tell - "Pictures of my cousins!"