Christmas Party At Grandmoms

Gatherings at Grandmom’s house have always been legendary! There is always a TON of her amazing food. Literally you show up late morning and just eat all day long. There are games and kids and always lots of kids! As my generation (which spans from me the oldest grandchild to Daniel who is 9) gets older, there had been a missing element of babies and small children but as my Uncle Bobby started a family and Chip and I started adding to ours, that element is once again present. It is rare that my crew gets to enjoy these gatherings living so far away and this was the first time for the twins so it was really a special day for the Cypress Parishes.  My family is so loving and sweet with Elijah and they welcomed the twins into the family with enthusiasm and open arms.

This Christmas and trip was made even more special by the new arrival of my littlest cousin Nikky who was welcomed just a couple weeks before our arrival! Oh how I loved getting to snuggle our littlest family member. The newborn season is so special and I am so happy I got to meet Nikky when he was so small. He is already at ten pounds so no doubt he won’t be little for very long. His Mama is doing an amazing job feeding him!

Another new family member I got to meet was my cousin Jenn’s new puppy, Sierra. What a sweetie pie! Most puppies are hyper and too excited to be around kids but this one was so well behaved and AMAZING with my littles! Elijah loved playing with her outside and the twins had fun playing with her and her toys indoors.

We had a fun game of Family Feud…the new Coppolino favorite game to play! It was just an awesome day and jI wish we could have more of them together!

I really wanted to get a couins pictures. I have a “Cousins” frame and wanted a new photo to put in it. For some reason Nikky is missing from the picture which kind of bums me out. Also missing from festivities that day are my cousins Little Steven, James and Eva (who I haven’t gotten to meet yet. )

Rory had fun playing with some fridge toys that have been on Grandmoms fridge for decades.

The kitchen is always the heart of Grandmoms house.

Elijah was excited to dig right in to some appetizers. Buffet style is perfect for this preschooler.

Elijah and his new friend Sierra

My adorable little cousin, Nikky!

Chip and my Aunt Donna

I loved getting to cuddle my newborn cousin. Sigh. Babies.

Jen is always so good with my kids.

Sweet Patrick giving Uncle Bobby some snuggles

Two handsome guys.

The kiddos had a blast playing in the basement.

Oh my gosh. SO CUTE! Say Cheese Sierra!

Elijah adores his cousins.

Nursing Mamas.

Jen and Elijah had fun taking Sierra outside to play.

Me and my cousin.

Elijah and his Mimi

Chip enjoyed playing Host as we played a very colorful game of Family Feud.

Elijah was really into the game.

Johnny trying to get points in the Lightning Round.

More puppy cuteness!

Papa John and Patrick having a moment.

Puppywearing. LOVE. IT.

A Day In The City and Radio City Music Hall

Right before our trip up North, Papa John called and asked if I would be interested in taking Elijah to Radio City Music Hall to see the Rockettes’ Christmas Spectacular Show. He knew that this was a tradition with Grandmumsy and Pop from my childhood and thought I would enjoy taking Elijah. He was right. The older guys that day were going to a bowl game and so Mimi, Aunt Brianna, Elijah an myself headed to city! We had fun walking down 5th Avenue, window shopping and going into FAO Schwartz. Elijah was beside himself in the glorious toy store! He was still recovering from the flu but he came alive when he walked in and was so excited at all the cool toys and fun things he saw.

Rockefeller center was pretty busy and so we didn’t get close enough to see the ice skaters but we did get some photos with the big tree in the background.

I had not been to Radio City since I was in high school and it has not changed. It is still amazing as you walk in. You really feel like you are stepping into a fabulous movie taking place in the early 1900’s.  It is just breathtaking really. The show was just awesome and Elijah was amazed taking it all in. He loved seeing the “pretty girls” and the fireworks in the show! He loved the Santa Clauses and the snow and especially all the music and dancing. (My little muscian).

It just so happened that Brianna’s cello teacher played in the orchestra and so after the show, she gave us a back stage tour! It was so cool! I had been coming to Radio City since I was five years old and it was so neat to see the inner workings of this place that had been such a large part of my childhood. It was really such a magical day and I am so grateful to have shared this experience with my oldest son.

The family before we parted ways and they headed to their game.

We stopped and watched some really cool street dancers.

Me and my handsome guy at Rockefeller Center.

Sweet little boy kisses.

Elijah (feeling so much better) happily danced around the ladies sitting area at Radio City.

The Radio City Music Hall Lobby. Gorgeous.

Me and my sister

I’m not sure how many times I watched the Rockettes perform on that stage but coming here felt like Christmas for real.

All ready for the show.

This was such a great day.

Let the show begin!

Such a magical show!

This number dates back to the very first Christmas Spectacular show!

This was a really cool shot of the end of this number. I was really excited how cool this turned out.

This was a new number to me and I really loved the costumes and the cool effects!

Elijah loved the Santa Clauses!

The living Nativity always moves me to tears. So beautifully done. You really feel like you are witnessing a miracle.

Elijah (with Mimi) in awe.

Later, backstage, we got to meet the camel from the Nativity!

Elijah and Mama on stage. Elijah was pretty much ready to go home at this point. It had been a long day for a recovering two year old.

On the way out I wanted to snap one last picture….behind me you will see the big striped prop from the Toy Soldier number that I photographed earlier! That was so cool!

Christmas Visit To Papa John’s and Mimi’s House!

On the evening of Christmas we boarded a plane from Houston bound for New Jersey to visit Papa John and Mimi in Tenafly New Jersey. It had been a little over two years since we made this journey and we were traveling with two more kiddos in tow! The plane ride was……interesting….but totally worth it as we got to spend twelve awesome days with family and friends of the North.

We arrived at the house a little after midnight and pretty much went straight to bed. When we woke up the next day it was like Christmas all over again and Elijah had so much fun opening a whole new slew of gifts that would keep him and his brothers more than entertained during the down time over the next 12 days……so many cool things that we actually had to shipsome of them home!

Our time with Mimi, Papa John, Uncle Johnny and Aunt Brianna and all the other Coppolino clan was long overdo and so much fun. Everyone enjoyed seeing how much Elijah had grown since they last saw him…for some it had been TWO YEARS! And the babies had grown since Papa John and Mimi had seen them and of course everyone else was meeting them for the first time. Since a picture is worth a thousand words…..here is our time visiting with Papa John and Mimi through my favorite medium…..PHOTOS!

Our Rory always full of laughs as Grandmom (who requested not to be photographed) played patty cake with him.

Playtime with Mimi!

Tickle time with Papa John

Elijah working hard at lining up his new matchbox cars

Opening his truck with Mimi

Elijah adores his Aunt and Uncle!

One of Elijah’s favorite things to do was play with Uncle Johnny’s drum kit!

Apparently Rory is the boss. Yeah, I pretty much knew that already

Of course Patrick immediately bonded with Mya, the family dog.

Yeah they do! But I’m not sure that will fit on you Daddy.

Patrick looking so cute in his new beanie!

Rory oh so handsome

Elijah checking out his stocking!

Mimi cuddles!

Rory getting a little snuggle from Grandmom…I am pretty sure I won’t get in trouble for this photo

There are always a lot of games played when we visit the Coppolinos. Here Elijah, Uncle Johnny and Mimi are involved in a heated game of Jenga.

Love that tiny face!

Chip and Grandmom have a Gin Rummy tradition that began at our OCNJ trip in 2012.

A lot of fun was had jumping on the bean bag beds in the basement!

Our little performer enjoyed singing into the microphone.

Hands and heart…always full!

Elijah looked so cute in his first pair of basketball shorts.

Who needs pants? Not this guy!

Patrick loved his private music class with Mimi

There was lots of fun with Play Dough

Okay these last few are just too cute not to share!