Friday was your first real introduction to Christmas this year. We have been talking about it since Thanksgiving and the ads and movies have been on TV, but we hadn't yet gone to any real events. On this night I went to a UNH Hockey game with Chris, Chad, and Ashley. I have to say for hockey being my least favorite of the major sports, I thoroughly enjoyed watching this game. They played UMass Lowell, and for the whole game I wasn't quite sure who to cheer for. Being from Mass I kind of shifted to that end of things, but in the end UNH won. The stadium probably only seats about five thousand people which surprised me, but there was not a bad seat in the house. It was nice to be that close to the action.
While I was at the game Mom took both of you to a, "Christmas Stroll" right down in the center of South Berwick, where you met her friend Leanna and her daughter. Here you both made ornaments for the tree, played in one of the stores, and even met Santa. Mom told me that JD's eyes opened wide when Santa came by. It was literally freezing cold on this night. Adam was in his snow suit (VERY reluctantly) and Mom and JD were also bundled up tightly. JD, you talked about this night for most of the next morning.
On Saturday morning while we were getting ready for a Christmas Parade in Berwick, JD and I noticed bird outside that we
didn't recognize. JD immidiately ran upstairs to get his bird book. We found that it was a, Downy Woodpecker. We must have watched it for about an hour while Adam was sleeping. We even got this picture.Mom and Grandie were working at a craft fair in Eliot so the three of us went over to Chad and Ashley's for a cup of coffee before the parade. Now this day was even colder than the night before. It was 25 degrees with crazy wind...totally freezing. I thought for a minute about not taking you guys, but decided to give it a shot. Once again Adam was thrown reluctantly into his snow suit for this trip. JD thought it was funny that we had to where two pair of socks and many layers of sweatshirt tops under our jacket!
After our coffee we walked about a mile to the center of Berwick for the parade. It was SO fun! I have never been to a more "Maine" type of event since living up here. We determined that ANYONE could have been part of this parade, anyone at all! There were some cool floats like, trains, fire trucks,
and even a band. Then there were the backwoodsy floats, tractors, some decorated riding mowers (not kidding), and some people that were doing absolutely nothing. Needless to say we got some great laughs out of the whole thing and will not miss it next year. This will be a great winter tradition to help get us all in the spirit. Ash was big help when Ad decided he didn't want to get back in the stroller, helping me walk it all that way back to the house.
After the parade we went back to their house for some snacks. Mom called just about the exact time we got back and she was home from the fair. I left you both with Chad and Ash while I went to pick up Mom.
Both of you adore Chad and Ash. They are very realistic people and have excellent idea's to keep you guys entertained. Ashley decided it would be fun for you to make ornaments and decorate a small tree she brought out special for you and Chad broke out the video games which JD loved!
By the time Mom and I got back, Chris and Tara weren't too far behind. They arrived and we put together our plan for the evening. We have all tried to get into a Sunday dinner routine, maybe one or two times each month. Mom and I did dinner a few weeks ago and Chad and Ash volunteered this week. We had also planned to pick out our Christmas trees together on this night, something JD had been looking forward to all week!
It was about 5:30 by the time we all got out to get the trees. Now it was pitch black and FREEZING. So cold that my big gloves couldn't keep my fingers cold. Addie, you guessed it, back in the snowsuit! This was by far the coolest experience I have ever had getting a tree.
We drove to a tree farm, right next to JD's school and looked to be closed. No lights or signs or any signs of life. Mom decided to get out and knock on the door to find out if they were open and luckily they were. The guys working it told us that it was 18 degrees out, and that was without the wind! We had saw's and flashlights just in case because at this place people cut down there own trees rather than just picking them out at a lot. We walked way, way, out back. Chris had a head lamp and JD had a big flashlight to guide us on our way. Adam, you walked by yourself and followed the crowd as best you could. We finally came upon a forest of Christmas trees. The trunks were about four feet tall and they all varied in many shapes and sizes. Mom and I agreed upon a tree after barely looking at it. It was so cold we just wanted to chop it and get out of there! We never actually found out exactly what it looked like until the next morning. It was BY FAR the best tree we have ever picked out! It is the perfect height and so full!
After we left the tree place we went back to dinner at Chad and Ash's house. It was a great day. We all enjoyed spending time together and the food was excellent. Toward the end of the night, "Crazy Adam" came out. Ad, you were dancing and jumping, wrestling with Chad, and pushing around Chris. You were very tired and laughing at everything, we all got a kick out of you!
Sunday morning arrived and JD got us out of bed early. JD, you wanted to put up our Christmas stuff and did not want to wait! After we did some cleaning and Mom went shopping, sure enough it was time. Both of you went up to the attic with Mom to grab the decorations. We have about 4 large boxes of Santa's, snowmen, and all sorts of other stuff.
After you both put up the Santa 's and stuff we decided to tackle decorating the tree. Mom had tons and tons of ornaments from her childhood so she went through the box and pulled out the pieces she wanted
to put on the tree. You both have many ornaments too. Adam, you did a great job for your first time decorating the tree. JD is now an old pro and I would say the this is one of his favorite times of year!
Later in the evening, before bed, we watched one of my favorite Christmas movie's from when I was a kid, "Emmit Otter's Jug Band Christmas." We sat around with the tree lights, and the window lights on and truly enjoyed the end of the weekend together.
Monday was a surprise for JD as his school was cancelled due to snow! We got about six inches overnight and it was nice heavy, wet, snowball snow! Mom took you both outside where you threw snowballs at each other and went exploring around the yard. Adam, you loved your first snow adventure as a walking person! JD later in the day you even got to skiing outback down the small hill. Mom has been great in encouraging you do to this and she is a great skier herself. Hopefully this winter will bring many more fun memories!
