Christmas in Canada 2016

This year, we wanted to go somewhere special to celebrate  Christmas and Little Bear's 10th birthday (and Papa's 31st!). Since the two birthday boys love to ski, we decided to go somewhere that they would be able to spend a day skiing together. We chose to go to Quebec City, Canada in the hopes of experincing a "Winter Wonderland" for Christmas. It did not disappoint!

We left on Friday morning (Dec. 23rd and the first day of their winter break) and drove to our hotel. It took about 11 hours due to nursing, diaper/potty, and gasoline breaks. Our first night, we got settled into the room, took a quick walk throughout the inside of the hotel to find things like the pool and where breakfast would be, and went to bed pretty early.

Dec. 24th- -Christmas Eve- We slept in and then went to the hotel's breaskfast buffet. Then we went for a walk to see some of Old Quebec.

The kids couldn't wait to get out into the snow!

 

 

It was gorgeous and there were Christmas lights everywhere. 

 

Checking out some of the cannons

 

 

Norte Dame church

 

Pudge wanted his picture in this chair because it was like the bear was hugging him.

 

They were in awe of the wolf's teeth

 

Trying Maple Taffy

 

Nursing Cuatro while he was bundled and in the Onya carrier

 

We walked around for quite a while and looked at some of the Christmas Lights. When we got back to the hotel, the kids made our Christmas tree out of the hotels notecards. They filled them with their favorite things from 2016. "Going to Abuelo's", "The Beach", "Chicken", "Canada", and a picture of a heart with our family names inside were among the cards. (Elf was playing on both tvs.)

 

Before bed, the kids left butter cookies and a bottled water for Santa.

Dec. 25th- Christmas- 

Christmas morning was a lot of fun. The kids woke us up to let us know that Santa had come. So we had them all brush their teeth and then open presents. 

 

 

Pudge was so excited to receive Cody the Code-a-pillar that he was holding back tears. It was so sweet. 

 

Little Bear was very excited about his new sweatshirt that had pictures of Messi (his favorite soccer player) on it.

 

Pequeño loved his pop up pirate tent

 

Cuatro enjoyed ripping all of the wrapping paper and got a Disney blanket with his name on it like the older boys received from Santa a few years ago. 

 

Afterwards, they all played together for a while and then we went to brunch at the hotel where Cuatro got to try banana . He loved it!

 

We spent most of the day playing around in the room and then we went for a walk around to look at some of the lights. (Unfortunately, my phone kept turning off when we were outside due to the cold so I don't have a lot of outdoor pictures)
 

5 months old

Somehow Cuatro is 5 months old already! 

 

Tree Hunting 2016

This year, we stuck to our Christmas tree hunting traditions from the past few years. So we spent the day looking for a tree at Beck's Christmas Tree Farm. The kids saw Santa as soon as we pulled into the parking lot so our first stop was to see him. 

 

The kids didn't sit on his lap this year or ask for anything but instead told him "Merry Christmas" and Pequeño told him that he liked his glasses and gave him a hug. 

It was pretty busy so we waited a few minutes for a tree cart and then headed out to find a tree. 

 

Even though we knew which kind of tree we wanted to get, the kids still wanted to explore and look at  all of the trees. We were warned by a family while we were walking up the hill to keep a hand on our cart because theirs had been taken while they were cutting down their tree. So, Papa and the boys occasionally left Cuatro and me to stay with the cart.

 

Cuatro slept most of the time

 

 

Found it!

 

 

Next, we dropped the tree at our house and went to dinner at the German restaurant that we go to each year.

 

 

 

then home to decorate!

 

Wet Head!

Pudge received a game called Wet Head from Aunt N for his birthday. The kids all really wanted to play it even though we tried to convince them that it would be a better outdoor (and warmer weather) game. Eventually, we caved and filled it with warm water and played until every person got soaked. The kids loved it and can't wait to play again!

 

 

 

 

 

Pudge turns 6!

He woke up to his bed covered in streamers

Little Bear gave him a book that he had wanted

 

Family gift was a Creature Power Suit and an animal adventure projection toy (both from Wild Kratts)

 

In the afternoon, we went to Toys R Us where they gave him a birthday crown and balloon. He also picked out one toy (a deer stuffed animal which he named Rudolph) and then we met Abuelo, Abuela, and Grandma at the movies to watch Moana in RealD 3D. We all loved the movie and the kids wanted to listen to the soundtrack immediately after.

 

Then we went to Abuelo's house for pizza, hoagies, and  birthday cake.

Happy Birthday, Pudge!

Thanksgiving 2016

We were very lucky this year that we were able to spend Thanksgiving with so many family members. Cousin M was at Abuelo's again this year so the kids were looking forward to getting to see her. Last year, she was there to celebrate with us when we announced that we were pregnant with Cuatro so it was extra special that she was able to meet him this year. 

 

Pudge made a new buddy and was ready to fly home to Puerto Rico with him. He requested this picture and has asked multiple times since we left when he would see him again.

Mema was feeling well enough for a short visit so we brought the kids down for a little bit. 

 

This was the first time that she was feeling well enough to hold Cuatro. ❤️

 

 

 

 

We had Thanksgiving lunch at Abuelo's and Pudge volunteered to give grace. We visited for a little bit longer and then drove to Grandma's house. 

The kids were able to spend time with their great grandparents there too!

 

 

After dinner, Grandma gave Pudge his birthday present so they could play with it that night.