Christmas (Missed) by the Sea

I had such a great weekend.  I started it off by having a delicious dinner with Danny at a new Italian restaurant in town...

Then I headed up to Ogunquit for our annual Christmas weekend. We missed the official "Christmas by the Sea" which was last weekend so we decided to create our own Christmas weekend!  We had a great breakfast at the house followed by decorating a tree in the backyard with pine cones covered in peanut butter and bird food, orange slices and cranberries...

Then we went shopping down the center of town and Perkin's Cove.  There was practically no one there this weekend so we had most of the stores all to ourselves which was really nice...

The stores were all decorated so beautifully...

There was snow again this year which makes it all look even more seasonal and beautiful...

Then we went to a restaurant overlooking the sea for some adult beverages and appetizers.  It was soooo good!!

Me and my awesome nephew Tyler. I'm so incredibly happy he's home from the Marines and has moved up from Florida to live with all of us...

Cheers!!!

So many laughs ("Run from the Germans!!")...

Then it was back to the house for games by the fire and some sappy Hallmark Christmas movies...

This morning we went to one of my absolute favorite stores Pallian.  This is where I bought my cigar ornament last year in memory of my Dad...

I thought this little guy was so cute!

We ate our traditional Sunday lunch at the Merriland Farm Cafe.  The food is delicious.  I can only dream of living up there in the woods. It's so beautiful and peaceful...

And...I found more J-O-Y...

It's snowing!!

It's been snowing and I couldn't be happier!!  I love snowy Decembers!  Around here that doesn't always happen so I'm very grateful.

My siblings and I took my Mom to see a "Rocky Mountain Christmas" John Denver tribute concert last weekend.  It was really good!  My Mom has always loved his music so we grew up listening to his music as kids.  I still listen to his music today.  It was very fitting that we had a snow storm that day.  The snow looked gorgeous with all the Christmas lights...



I grew up in Norwood.  It's a beautiful town and I'll always consider it my home...

When I got home after the concert...I saw this...

My cozy little house...

And this morning it's snowing again...

It really helps with the Christmas spirit...

And these two little guys...

Not quite "friends" yet...but they're working on it...I think...

We're all set for Christmas here...

and I'm really looking forward to my annual Christmas by the Sea this weekend!!

J-O-Y it's everywhere

They're baaaaack!!!!

Jessica, Jeremiah, Jenny, Jeanette, Jackson, Jedi, Jasmine, Julie, Jamie, Joy, Jaeger and Jada.

My heart is happy!!  The Willis Clan is coming back!!  They've had a very difficult year to say the least but on Thanksgiving they posted this on their social media...

"We have so much to be thankful for today. This year has brought so much change for us and has been challenging in many ways but we are grateful that we are able to make new memories together. We hope you are having a blessed Thanksgiving weekend with the family and friends you hold dear. Official Willis Clan news is coming soon. In the meantime, have a Happy Thanksgiving!"

- The Willis Family

They are fabulous musicians, dancers and performers.  They play Irish music, country and pop. I just love them!!  If you don’t know them....they’re a family of 12 siblings who rose to fame on America’s Got  Talent. They also had a reality TV show on TLC for two seasons.  Check them out. Here are some of my favorite videos...

Music Video

Julia and Gianna shot a music video this past weekend. They posted this little clip of the filming on the choreographer's Instagram page.  Julia's the one in red (Gianna wasn't in this part). Can't wait to see the finished product!

New member of the family

Gianna has been volunteering at our local animal shelter for a few months now.  She fell in love with a cat named Eli so what's a Mom to do? 

He's very cute...

and about 6 months old...

He loves her already...

Hockey Banquet

Last night was Nicholas' Midget hockey banquet. Good food, good company, and a really nice group of boys...

Mom's birthday

We had a fun birthday party for my Mom yesterday.  She's turning 83 on Monday and you'd never know it by looking at her...or spending time with her. The best word to describe my Mom is silly...

It's so nice having the whole family back together again...

Joy

Today I choose joy. 

I'll focus on my family 

and not let the negative in.

Saturday night road trip

When we were at nationals at Mohegan Sun, Gianna and I discovered Chick-fil-A.  Oh my...so so good!!  The Chick-fil-A sauce is to die for!  Ever since, Gianna's been begging me to find one in our area.  There aren't many around this neck of the woods I can tell you that.  So Saturday night it was just the two of us for dinner as Julia went to a Sweet 16 party and Danny took Nicholas to an away hockey game.  It was a perfect time for Gianna and I to take a little road trip to the closest Chick-fil-A in our area...about a half hour away.  When we got there the line was out the door!  But thankfully it moved quickly and we were able to find a table to enjoy that delicious food...

YUMMY!!!!

When we were in the parking lot I happened to notice this store...

I was so excited!! I had heard all about it!! Gianna at first wasn't looking forward to it and I promised her we'd be quick.  But when we walked through the door there was a HUGE Christmas section and the store was playing Christmas music.  My girl loves Christmas so it was a hit!!  

They have a HUGE selection of pictures which I'm a total sucker for...and I'm thinking about heading back there this week to pick up this one...

and I love this one too...

and I love all the colors in this one...

My favorite word is everywhere when it comes to Christmas...

I'm also considering getting this little side table for my living room.  But there are so many great ones to choose from...

We left the store empty handed but I have plans to head back there for sure! We ended the night with a frozen yogurt.  It was such a fun night with my Gianna Mae! 

Here are a few pictures from Julia's friends Sweet Sixteen party.  Julia looked absolutely gorgeous...

She's getting so grown up!  It happened in the blink of an eye I tell you.  

And last night was Nicholas' last North hockey Midget game of the season.  They only play a half season so the kids can get ready for high school hockey.  So needless to say it just flew by.  

Halloween

Halloween 2017...hey that rhymes! 

Gianna loved Julia's costume so much last year that she wanted to wear something like it this year....so voila...so cute and perfect for her...

This was all Julia's idea.  So creepy...

Gianna had a great night with her dance friends...

And Julia had fun with her friends too. (I'll have to check her phone for pictures.)

Like I said...Julia's costume was so creepy...