Holiday Break Week, Go-Go-Go!!

This is the post I write so that if in two weeks somebody asks me if I had a good Christmas break & what I did, I can actually remember.

Sunday- Christmas (goes without saying & already blogged about here!)

On Monday, we had the reunion of all reunions.  Kim, my sister's best friend from graduate school who has been in China for the better part of a year and a half, returned to visit the states & the Kroms.  George & Amanda also came to see everyone :)  Kim & the Knoxes pulled into the driveway at the exact same time so it was a VERY exciting reunion & a little sensory overload for Roxy, but she recovered well.  We had a wonderful time at my parents bar, enjoying some of Kim's favorite american foods & drinks.  My father put George to work & had him in the basement doing an electric consult.  It was the first time Amanda saw my baby bump- the last time I saw her was at her wedding when I was only 10 weeks.  After leaving my parents, we took the Knoxes back to Jones Terrace where we taught them how to settle Catan & had nice meal.  George won his inaugural game which was very exciting.  Riley really enjoyed having his Maine mommy & his new favorite addition to the family, George or "the man companion" as he likes to call him.

Amanda & I (23 weeks)

Here's the plan:  We take this same shot next year,
I have the flat tummy & Amanda is preggo!!

The makings of a fantastic evening

Man friends.

Adorable animal onesies-
Thanks Aunt Amanda & Uncle George!!

The next day, John left for practice early, per the usual.  I somehow managed to drag myself out of bed & huffed and puffed my way through pre-natal yoga.  It was not pretty, but I finished it & I am very determined to do it as many days a week as possible.  Ta, you were right- it takes a lot of motivation to actually get through it, but your body does feel soooo good after!!  For lunch, we took Ryan & Jakki to our favorite little dive diner in Ellenville, Ricke Lens.  We had a great time & laughed a lot.  Jakki had to go back to school the next day, but it was still nice to her see this break.  After lunch, we settled in for a long winter's nap- well John did.  (I did three loads of laundry, emptied the dishwasher, & did the dishes.)  The Knoxes came over after dinner & we played two rounds of Catan- I won the first round & John the second.

Wednesday,  I headed to Middletown with my mom & sister for a girls day.  We enjoyed some shopping & lunch together.  This day was also a very sad day as we heard news that a family friend I went to high school with passed away.  He was only 30 years old & leaves behind a fiance and many, many friends and family.  Such a tragedy & really makes you take a step back an re-evaluate what's important.  

On Thursday, we celebrated my Dad's birthday.  He turned 63 but you would never know it.  Amanda Sue also turned 28 & George took her out for a nice birthday dinner.  John toiled the day away in the basement with his father, my father, & our furnace service guy building more shelves for storage and finally getting our heating system up to par.  Friday, we spent the day in Narrowsburg, exchanging gifts and visiting with the Eicks and John's parents.  Emma & Baby Frank were adorable and so fun, as always.  It was funny- I was feeding Frank a bottle & our baby was kicking baby Frank in his little bum.  Not strong enough for Frank to feel through his diaper (and even if he could feel it, he's pretty focused while he's eating haha).  We also got to see John's Aunt Judy who we hadn't seen since August.  It was a wonderful visit.  :)

With Baby Frank
2 Notes to Self-
#1 No more pictures while seated & pregnant!!  WHOA.
#2- This POST shirt while awesome because it supports Jakki, makes you look like a linebacker.

Jess

Sibling Love

Aunt Judy, Baby Frank, & Emma

Frank & Emma dig into some presents

Baby Tenbus scored even MORE gifts in Narrowsburg (this is getting insane):

From the Eicks

Two must-haves according to many moms I've talked to-
wipe warmer & diaper genie- thanks Margy & Terry

From Aunt Judy

So we are celebrating New Years this weekend & then heading back to school on Tuesday.  It was a busy (but the good kind) week & we enjoyed spending so much time with our family and friends.  We are so blessed to have such loving, wonderful people in our lives.