The Hope Family

The Hope Family

Saturday, December 31, 2011

10th Anniversary in NYC!

















John and I decided to take a trip for our 10th anniversary. It doesn't seem like it has been 10 years since we were married. We have been extremely blessed through all of these years and are excited to continue the future together. We had gone to New York City on our first anniversary, so we decided to go back for our 10th! The weather was really good and we just love the city. We visited St. Patrick's Cathedral, Battery Park, Wall Street, the 9/11 Memorial with the new Freedom towers being built, the Statue of Liberty, and also went on a cruise around New York Harbor that really was spectacular. It showed the full skyline of Manhattan and was absolutely beautiful! We had such a wonderful time but were also happy to come home to our wonderful kids! Thanks Nan and Da for keeping them so we could get away!

Wednesday, December 28, 2011

More Presents.....










Nan and Da came over and after talking with several other family members on the phone or via computer, we began opening more presents! The kids got more than needed, but it was so much fun to watch them this year. Hudson was really into it this year, and of course, Reagan was too! We had a wonderful meal and celebrated Jesus' birth. The kids continue to play with all of their toys!

Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Santa leaves lots of presents!













John came home a little early on Christmas Day so that he could see the kids wake up to Santa's presents. Amazingly, they both slept until nearly 8 AM which never happens!! When they awoke, they were both very excited to see all that Santa had left. He had even left a note that I read to them both. What a wonderful way to celebrate Christ's birth! Both the kids played for a long time with their gifts, until the next round of opening presents started.....

Monday, December 26, 2011

Letters and Cookies for Santa!









The kids and I came home from the fire station on Christmas Eve, and decided to get everything ready for Santa! They both wanted to write a quick letter, (I wrote down what they told me to write) and then both signed their letters. Reagan made sure that Santa had plenty of cookies, and Hudson set out some Reindeer food for the reindeer! They were very excited, and I wasn't sure that I was going to be able to get them in bed, but they finally settled down. Since John was at the station, we decided to all snuggle together with me downstairs, (that way I could keep a better eye on them!) and finally fell asleep!

Christmas Eve Ornament Exchange!








John worked on Christmas Eve, so we headed to the fire station for our traditional Christmas Eve ornament exchange. The food was wonderful and so was spending time with our second family. The kids got to participate in the ornament exchange, and after some quick moves, Hudson somehow came away with two ornaments instead of one! We so enjoy the laughter and company that comes with everyone at the station. What a wonderful way to spend Christmas Eve!!