Christmas 2013....

Sadly, it is already MAY 2014 and we are just now getting to five months of back posting given our super busy schedules. When all our kids were babies, it was busy--but in a different way. We always had time to blog and post about family life, but now that we're truly living a hectic and harried life juggling two businesses/careers, three kids and tons of philanthropic/community service, well...the result is...limited posting.  So, we'll do our best to catch up. 

In short...the 2013-2014 winter in New England was pretty brutal (AND long) this year.  We saw a ton of snow--all the way through April/Easter--and the kids (as evidenced above) seemed to enjoy it just as they always have. Who doesn't like a shift in seasons? We hosted holiday guests, enjoyed friend sleepovers/Mickey Mouse pancake breakfasts and of course, Santa was, as always, super good to the royal kidlets.

Aramis with Santa

Friend Colleen showcases her Mickey Mouse Pancake w/Alec

Cookies were eaten, mile drunk and carrots nibbled by St. Nick!

And, after the holidays and as the winter continued on, the royals found themselves searching for new ways to enjoy the white powdery stuff. This year, we added 'danger sledding' to the mix. Now, this form of sledding isn't just about sledding down a hill. It's about adding a complete factor of danger with every slide down--be it a steep grade, holding hands with other sledders, going head first into a barrage of other sledders, or...gulp...going over ice mountains---all of which really happened. Fortunately, there were no injuries. Whew!! 

Can you ever get enough sledding?

By early January, we were celebrating King Tony's big 4-4! He specifically asked for a German chocolate cake--and would not settle for anything other than homemade! So, that's exactly what he got. Thank goodness Wendy knows how to cook/bake! :) 

And what was his FAVORITE gift? Swear on a stack of Bibles...this chatting Dave (Despicable Me) minion.  UGH!

King Tony proudly shows off his new 'Dave!' 

The holidays are always more fun with company, and fortunately, we saw all the Godparents, imbibed, ate and celebrated...BEFORE the big trip that Santa gifted the kids this year. By late January, the family was off on their first trip to Walt Disney World! Santa booked a first class trip, and while we planned to enjoy our travels alongside the Tennessee cousins, a lovely ice storm (you know, the one that SHUT DOWN ATLANTA for 3 days)...left them stranded on the highway for 28 hours with no food or water--just chips and 7Up!  We're hoping for a major do-over before the year is out. More on that next post! :)

Abby reads with Uncle Peter

Mama Ama snuggles with Abby and Auntie Abra. Just hangin' with the girls.