Monday, January 23, 2012

Mexico--December 2011

Jay's boss sent us on a trip to Maya Rivera, Mexico at the end of December.  (THANK YOU, JAY'S BOSS!)  It should be noted that Jay has worked very hard to help his boss grow the business into quite a success.  This was a bit of a reward/bonus trip.  Jay deserved it!  It was the most glorious gift ever!  Anyone would agree that it was a great gift, but to us, besides, warmth, sun and the beach, it was a gift of sleep and time together!  We've been insanely exhausted with full time work, two busy boys and said boys that don't sleep well.  The first night we were in Mexico, we passed out at 8 pm and didn't wake once until 8 am the next morning!  We thought we had died and gone to heaven---a full night's sleep---UNINTERRUPTED!

The resort he sent us to was quite swanky.  It was called a "Gourmet Inclusive" resort.  There were no buffets, just sit down restaurants for each meal.  Besides much better food, it also meant food wasn't available 24/7.  That was good for the waist line, though I found the 24/7 booze was perhaps worse for the waist line in the long run!  Our room was amazing too.  It was a junior suite which included a 2-person Jacuzzi!  Very nice.  The spa facilities were just a couple minute walk away.  I utilized those a few times!  (That was the only amount of money we spent the whole trip!!!)  I enjoyed a pedicure and then my first facial.  Then Jay and I had oceanside massages at dusk one evening.  That was the highlight of the trip!  We preferred to hand out at the pool to the ocean.  I'm not a huge fan of the sandy mess!  Though it wasn't super sunny the whole time we were there, it was plenty warm and relaxing!













Monday, January 9, 2012

Christmas 2011--Part Three (Randolph/Ryan side)

Christmas day and the following day brought us to Randolph.  Every Christmas Day afternoon, we go to Jay's grandma's (Grandma Butch) where the entire Ryan side fills her house.  The crowd is getting larger and larger as all the cousins are growing up, getting boyfriend/girlfriends, spouses, children, etc.  Grandma Butch insists on gifts for all, so opening presents takes a long time, though, over the last 15 years, it has toned down considerably!

Papa & Luke



Aunt Jody, Laylea (Jay's cousin's daughter) and the boys!



Papa & Grandma Ryan






The morning of the 26th, we went to Jay's dad and Julie's to open gifts with them.  This was the first time we did that.  Usually they brought our gifts to Jay's Grandma's on Christmas Day.  This was nice.  We had brunch and played for awhile.  The boys got a new kitchen from them!




Christmas 2011--Part Two (Northfield/Rickert side)

Christmas Eve was spent in Northfield--Rickert side.  Anna, Jake and Ella were home from Boston and Heidi and Bruce came as well.  It was the first Christmas with THREE grandchildren!  It was great to have a full house!  We went to church in the afternoon, *tried* to get pictures of the grandkids, had grilled steaks and opened gifts! It was a great time.


It's virtually impossible to get a good picture of three kids, two of which are babies!








It's even more impossible to get Grandma and Grandpa to look good too! Piece together each of the following pictures and there may be a good one!





I had gotten Jay a MUSTARD sweatshirt the night before.  He carried on and on about the ugly color but then resigned that it looked OK.  So then, when Jack happened to open a sweatshirt from G & G that looked nearly the same, he flipped out giggling!  Here they are in their matching MUSTARD sweatshirts!

Christmas 2011--Part One (Our family)

Christmas was a true joy this year (as it always is, really).  Jack was so fun as he got the concept of Santa and presents and even the true meaning of Christmas, Baby Jesus' birthday.  Luke was able to open (some) of his own presents and he enjoyed his new toys.  As always, we had a very busy schedule!

December 23rd I was off school.  Jay worked a last day before he was off for TEN DAYS!  Natalee babysat for the morning while I ran last minute errands and wrapped last minute gifts!  That even we were set to have our family Christmas with our family traditions of homemade pizza, Christmas cookies, family PJs, gifts and Polar Express.  Unfortunately that afternoon I got some sort of migraine that had me hanging over the toilet while the boys watched!  I wasn't able to enjoy our pizzas, but I did start to perk up for gifts!

Making homemade pizzas:

Brotherly Love!


Gifts:


Family PJs:



Getting Santa's snack ready:


Jack's note to Elfie as it was his night to return to the North Pole til next year.  Jack was genuinely sad he wouldn't be leaving our family for a year!

Presents Santa left before the boys dove in!

Elfie's personal message to the boys!


"Christmas" (eve) morning:


Jack's new Razor scooter!

Luke's new vacuum (that he didn't put down for days)!


New traditions! Christmas morning caramel rolls!  YUM!