Finishing off December strong!!

Every year we celebrate Hanukah together on one big night that we are all together. This year, Steph, Jackie & I exchanged "sister necklaces". We found these handmade necklaces on etsy that are 3 silver hoops intertwined, and they came with a meaningful poem. And so far....we are all actually wearing them! By the way, I never realized I was 3 inches shorter than both of them. Fun.

Just as our lives intertwine so do these sterling silver hoops. The smooth rings symbolize those easy, smooth sailing times in our lives that we laughed through together. One roughly hammered ring symbolizes the tough, rough times we cried through together, supporting each other no matter what.
This necklace is for you dear sister to symbolize our journey together.

Felix was very excited to get his mitten ice scraper. Little did he know just how much he would be needing it upon his return home!!!!

Loving his first family Hanukah party.


The girls entertaining themselves coloring together.


Steph got Dad some crazy as-seen-on-tv ceramic knife they used in their cooking class together (jealous!....of the class, not the knife). He has been really excited to use it, and we thought his reaction was funny. Steph always gives the best gifts. I happen to be the worst gift-giver ever, but I am proud to say that the sister necklaces were my idea! yeay!


And........the circus. Poor Felix had to leave for Miami and missed this fantastic evening out. We all went together, and it was very entertaining. Emma ate through 5 cups of popcorn through the whole thing and Gavin had to hide his cotton candy bag from her.


Me and my kiddows.


Next up was Eli's 1st Birthday party!!!!!!!!!! The theme was.........

BALLS!!!! There was 'ball' everything! Tangerines, melon balls, blueberries, spinach balls, eggplant balls, sausage balls, rice balls, meatballs, cheese balls, and of course.....cake balls! All handmade. And Eli even got a ball pit for his present!

Mom and Mamare with the two boys. Meanwhile, the girls were outside having fun in the bouncy house until Ava busted her lip on Emma's head.


Ava enjoying her ball cake. Vanilla, or course. Have you ever heard of someone not liking chocolate? Crazy, I know.


Eli's big boy bike! I hope we get this as a hand-me-down for our future children, it looks very user friendly :)


Ahhhhh. And then there was Roger's Birthday/New Years Eve. Our very favorite holiday of the year, where we get to stay up late into the evening, chatting the night away. And it was on this evening that Levi tasted his first solid food (a puff), and Emma stayed up until 1am. Both milestones that will not be forgotten!


A few days later we went down to Miami for our cousins wedding. It was beautiful, outside on the beach, and great to catch up with family we haven't seen in a while. We also left Emma home with Mamare & Saba, so it was almost an "adult-only" evening (Levi tagged along) with my parents and sisters. I am so glad we had the opportunity to go with everyone!


I like this picture of Mom & Dad :)


Loving it!

We had so much fun, it was great to be out dancing with Felix again. Even though he shows me up on the dance floor everytime, I love love love it!