Nieces

We celebrated Christmas with Rick's parents in early January. As always, Emily was so happy to be with her nieces.

The Great Wolf Lodge

Emily was invited, by Sienna, to go to the Great Wolf Lodge (overnight) to celebrate her 9th birthday. This is exciting on many levels. Never mind all the fun she had but that she actually slept over somewhere! Calley did promise to tickle her back until she fell asleep but Emily did not hesitate to say yes to this special invitation. Emily had the time of her life!

Calley sent me many pictures while they were gone, almost made me feel like I was there.

Emily loved everything! Including the dance party that ended at 10pm! Apparently she danced up a storm!

 In the Cupcake Spa for a mani/pedi

 the ropes course

 the wolf den in the room, complete with bunk beds

 The Magi Quest. Emily loved this part, the want, the cape, everything

Neighborhood Rinks

Our rink opened for business 2 weeks ago. Rick worked MANY hours to get it ready after the warm temperatures at the end of December. The Blaisdells have a rink as well so we have several skating options in our little north end neighborhood. 

The Museum of Fine Arts

During vacation we took Emily and Emma to the museum in Boston. During vacation weeks the museum has projects, in different sections of the museum, for kids to do. This is everything that Emma and Emily LOVE! They even spent some time in the impressionist room sketching.

 my favorite

Jack and Mike

We had a fun afternoon celebrating Christmas with Jack and Mike during vacation.

 both boys LOVE Legos!

 Jack loved Grammys carrot-cake cupcakes 

 pretty good of all 3

and then things got crazy and Emily had to get out of there!

Johnny

Words will NEVER be able to express how much Emily loves Johnny. She talks to him all say long, says  goodbye to him every time she leaves and hello to him every time she walks in the house, and then tells him about her day. These photos are some of the fun things Johnny did at our house while he was here for the month. Emily wrote him a note almost every night and he writes back every time. On Christmas Eve Johnny got permission from Santa for Emily to give him a little kiss before she went to bed. She could not have been more delighted!!!!

In the video I hope you can see her love for him as she leaves for school on the last day before vacation.

She can's wait for him to return on her birthday!

 Johnny took a selfie while she was sleeping

Christmas Morning

Truly happy with all presents, big and small..

Crutches, probably her favorite present. She was OBSESSED with Rick's crutches after his hip surgery. Apparently Santa thought she should have her own. She has not put them down since...

 she LOVES gum..and rarely has it...

 she LOVES to be cozy

 her own lululemon skirt

 Santa brought a Lego set none of us have ever seen. It is the Winter Village Market, truly an "expert" set.... it has moving parts...a carrousel that rotates