Holiday Fun....

This photo of Alec and King Tony sleeping during 'waking hours' is vivid proof of just how busy our holiday schedule, as well as how the preparations, anticipation, and excitement of just a few short weeks took a pleasant toll on the Kingdom.

We hosted lots of visitors and guests, enjoyed more than one special visit from Santa Claus and did our part to help others in need during the joyous season. The grounds of the Kingdom in New England are now elegantly decorated in mountains of powdery white snow and we're beginning to wrap up Christmas, New Year's and King Tony's 40th Birthday celebration.

It goes without saying that December was a bittersweet month in several ways due to the passing of several special people in our lives. Yet, we embrace the joys we have been blessed with and forge ahead to bring to our children an equally special and memory-rich life.

Happy New Year to you all....and Happy 40th Birthday to our King, our rock, our super-duper man of the castle, King Tony!! :) We love you!

Santa brought Alec a Cars racetrack--and King Tony no sooner saw it and sat right down to compete with his 2-year-old son to see who could win! Boys will be boys!!!

And then, after gaining some skills at the 'wheel,' Alec takes on Abby's Godfather, Uncle Peter...who is not only spry and sexy, but even better at racing given his former career in the ranks of the Massachusetts State Police! :)

Princess Abigail walks around with her most favored gift--CHOCOLATE!! Need we say more?

Aramis just loved that Santa brought a doll house. He can now destroy not just one house per day, but TWO!! :)

Princess Abs walks into the living room to find that Santa brought everyone some special treats--her most favored is the chocolate that Santa filled her stocking with--of course!

Uh oh...Aramis found the liquor cabinet....!!!

..and he's not giving it up....just like his Papa!

"Whatcha doin' mama?"

"Making gingerbread ornaments, sweetie. Why don't you, Abby and Alec help?"

"Okay Mama...I don't mind getting my hands dirty! (Notice the small liquor bottle in the bottom left corner. It was the only way to get him to put it down--distraction works like genius!)

Alec gets in on the action--painting stars silver and gold!

Abby was an incredible helper as she MADE these wonderful creations (hand cutting, baking and painting) as gifts for her teachers, friends, and classmates at school. She's amazingly bright and is a wonderful helper!