FLORIDA!

We managed to escape D.C.'s blizzard of 2009 (with only hours to spare!), and headed down to Florida on Alex's birthday, December 18 for some well-earned rest and celebration.

The first celebration was the Hanukkah party.

Here are the boys examining their gifts


G.G. with Cooper modeling his new Thomas shirt


A family shot


With Aunt "Ayene"

The four guys - Jason, Cooper, Connor, and Ben

The next day, which was Cooper's birthday, we hung out with the cousins

Cooper and cousin Mark

Running with Connor

A goodbye hug

The following day, we celebrated the birthdays with the family

Aunt Carole and Uncle Jay

A shot of some of the family

The 3 birthday boys - Arthur, Cooper and Alex - modeling their hats

The matriarchs of the family

Getting ready for cake

The happy couple

G.G. and Cooper clowning around

Lorraine with Connor

The next day we headed to the beach. Cooper made great use of Mama's new blackberry.

We met up with Ben and Jason (and Art and Michelle) at the beach

Playing in the sand

Brrr! It was a bit chilly!

Saying goodbye to cousin Jack

A toast to a great vacation!

Thank you for another wonderful vacation, G.G. and Pop Pop!

Happy Birthday Party!

Cooper's birthday party was Saturday evening, but he had three days of fun!

On Friday night, Cooper got to celebrate with Clare and Jim and Aunt Bebe and Uncle Larry. Fun!

Opening Clare and Jim's gift of....


Paper! (Ok, he also got a great T-shirt)


I love that book, Aunt Bebe!


Aunt Bebe, Uncle Larry, and Cooper reading some new books

Surrounded by his new Thomas books

The next day...here was the party spread

Happy #2!

Playing around with Pop Pop waiting for the guests

Saying hello to Jenn and baby Sydney

Babies Leah and Emerson checking out the fun

Coloring with Taylor, Zoe (and mom Jacie) at our new table - thanks Grandma and Pop Pop!

Enjoying our birthday cupcake!

Cheese!

Lorraine, Jenn and baby Emerson catch up...

while Cooper, Holden, and Taylor have fun running up and down the stairs

Saying goodbye to Taylor

Cooper and Holden playing with airplanes on the new table

Opening presents!

Scott and Jodi taking part in the fun!

Cooper loves Aunt Jodi!

Opening presents with Grandma and Pop Pop

And loving the box!

Sunday morning, Cooper awoke to his fully assembled kitchen, a great gift from Scott and Jodi

Wow! A lemon!

Later that day, Cooper got to play with his new railroad crossing from Holden and Emerson

Thanks for a great party and gifts, Grandma and Grandpa! (says a very serious Cooper)

Happy Hanukkah!

This year, we were fortunate to have friends and family in town to help us celebrate the first night of Hanukkah.

Here's Cooper modeling his Thomas blanket wrap hat


One cool guy with his toilet paper


Playing with Pop Pop


Buried under a stack of TP

Lighting the candles remotely with GG and Pop Pop

Opening GG and Pop Pop's Hanukkah gifts

Whoa! I love this one!