Madeline, Natalie, Benny

I got to see "my girls" and Ben while we were in Boston (these are the girls that I nannied in Boston for a year and a half in 06 and 07).  It is so weird to spend so much time every day for so long being a quasi-mom and then not see them for months. I know it's not the real thing but for a year and a half I was the one to make most meals, to give hugs when they fall, to be the bad guy and not give treats if meals aren't eaten, to have throw up and snot all over you most days, to clean or need to clean every few minutes, to be the one they want when they get scared or want to tell you the song they learned at preschool.  I love them so much.  Here's some pictures while I was there.

Here they are while I was there helping at nights (Oct 07-June 08) 

And now, they're so big!  Especially Ben, he's walking and talking now (he doesn't always have fun things in his hair but the girls had their fun girly Christmas hair things out). So fun!

Christmas with Dennis

Dennis is this amazing guy who lives in Boston and is practically our adopted dad.  He's this crazy, fun, story-filled man and we were so glad we got to spend Christmas laughing and eating and laughing some more with him.  Thank you Dennis!

Christmas Eve pjs

Christmas Morning

The missionaries came over for dinner.  We were the "real" cooks for a pretty important meal and although we both cook alright, we usually overcook something, or something goes a bit wrong, for the big meals anyway.  Well, not that I want to brag but this doesn't happen very often so I figure it's ok... we made the most delicious meal EVER!  :)  Really.  The turkey was miraculously moist, sweet potatoes (which I usually don't even like) were fantastic with the inspiration from our Thanksgiving chef and a little help from America's Test Kitchen, yum everything was really good.  Bragging done.

Making gingerbread houses with my honey, he made Mr. French snowman, but he was a little heavy uptop hence the supportive hand for the picture.

AND... we got to see Linds and Fredo and the cutest little Cleveland.  

What a fun fun trip.  Long drive, especially on the way there- we hit traffic in New York, Stamford, Providence and got into Boston right during rush hour- but even with the traffic it was a fun fun trip! 

Christmas in Boston

When you can't get home for the holidays then your second home is the next best thing.... Hello again Beantown!