Barbag and Beyond

The pre-winter break festivities began with a childless trip to Washington DC to celebrate cousin Zachary's Bar-Mitzvah. Mommy and Daddy had a great time catching up with lots of family and even some friends (if only the trip were a bit longer, they could've met up with even more friends...oh well, next time)!

One last wave and kiss goodnight before Mommy and Daddy left for their trip.

Adam had some bonding time with Pequod. Thanks, Aaron and Eric for letting us stay with you! It was too short and lots of fun!

While Mommy and Daddy were in the snow...Bubby and Zaide were having fun with Derek and Josh:

Josh's personal clown.

Marble Run!

The boys had a nice treat with dinner and dessert at Jaxson's!

Zaide filled Josh's tummy with grilled cheese!

Good to the last bite!

The ice cream was bigger than Josh!

But there's always room for ICE CREAM!

Rides after dinner!

The CUTE kitchen sink.

Holiday lights.

Derek wanted a shake!

Let the sugar high begin!

Fun, fun, fun for all!

Nothing better than a bath to wash off the layer of ice cream.

Last day with B & Z before Mommy and Daddy head home:

Bubby wore these boys out!

We came home to two enthusiastic boys! They had lots of fun spending the weekend with Bubby and Zaide (thanks B & Z), but were also very happy to sleep in their own beds, again!

Yummy breakfast at home.

Josh waits for our return!

Both boys were excited with the Bar-Mitzvah goodies we brought back from the celebration:


Derek wanted to brush his teeth in his cool new shades!

Both boys chillin' with Daddy in the morning.

Josh does not want to be fed, he only wants to feed himself. Not a problem...but a mess! He is getting better, however.

Josh feeds himself yogurt.

Want some?

Let's be real...it's way more fun to play!

Don't you agree?


At least he cleans up well!

Derek, does, too!

Over a year ago, we had this cute shot of Derek, just as he began walking:

And here he is today!

We all had one last week of work and school before we had family visit us over winter break!
Mommy's school had an ugly sweater day for the last workday before break. Naturally, she picked the ugliest sweater she could think to pick!

Don't worry, she borrowed this ugly sweater from a students (she wouldn't spend a penny on Noles gear, otherwise). She also thoroughly washed after...since her skin was crawling all day long!

Then, family arrived! Uncle Ari, Aunt Rachel, Laila, and Adaya joined us from Raleigh. Uncle Brian and Aunt Shana joined from Orlanda. Bauby M and Zaidy Shelly came from Chicago. Uncle David flew in from Los Angeles. Auntie Janet came in from Chicago, too! And, even Uncle Alex made an appearance! It was a lot of family and a lot of fun!

Josh enjoys a bottle, while everyone else naps!

The cousins played well together.

Snacked together.

Road bikes together.

And were silly together.

Derek is just about tall enough for his green bike!

The first night everyone arrived, we had a pizza party at our house!

Derek imitates Harley and Bailey napping.

Shabbat dinner and sleepover at Bubby's and Zaide's house (so Mommy and Daddy could enjoy the work holiday party)!

All the little pups together.

Special Movie Night: Finding Nemo!

Fun with Aunt Shana!

Kissing cousins.

Yes, they actually slept in the same room together!

Breakfast all together.

Morning Story Time.

bum bum butz!

A boy and his dog...

A preview of things to come?!

All of the cousins!

The majority of the trip, we spent in Hollywood. We had tons of fun at Bubby's and Zaide's house (and even made a trip to the beach)!

Dressed and ready to go to Hollywood!

Resting up for a day of fun!

Arts and Crafts with the cousins!

Cousin Laila and Uncle Ari acting silly!

Mmmmmm, ice cream!

Snackin' on the beach.

Fun in the fountain!

Sand castles!

Even Auntie Janet got in on the action!

What a good sport!

Sweet revenge!

Josh was unsure of the sand, at first, but really enjoyed it in the end!

This is the life!

Then we headed back to B & Z for some more cousin fun!

Tickle, Tickle, Tickle.

Josh helps clean up!

Tech time with Auntie Rachel.

Another rest for another day of activities (notice Josh's snack all over him)!

We knew these cousins would love each other, but they truly couldn't get enough time together!

Adaya even shared her favorite lovey with Josh!

Josh reads Bubby a book.

And teaches her some piano lessons.

It was SO FUN being all together!

But, I think Josh's favorite visitor was Zaidy Shelly! With the amount of time Josh went to Zaidy, I'm surprised he didn't need a massage or back manipulation before his trip back!

He also loves to play "bum-bum-butz" with Bauby M!

The cousins had great fun playing Follow the Leader:

"Walk, Walk, Jump!"

Since we had lots of family in town, we were able to get Papa to help us take some family photos!

First we had to get all of our playing out of the way.

And the goofiness.

Here's the newest family shot:

Grandparents with their grandkids (and granddoggies).

Derek took these shots:

Then more fun playing inside:

Another Derek shot:

This is the view of everyone trying to get all of the kids to look at the camera!

Future photographers?

Analyzing the family shot.

There was also a great brunch at Bubby's and Zaide's home:

Lots of great food and family.

Accompanied by a "curly hair concert!"

One of the last days of everyone's visit, we went to Lion Country Safari! We began by driving through the African Adventure (both Laila and Derek had a chance to drive us)! We saw sooooo many different animals and then enjoyed the park, too!

First stop, the flying elephant ride:

Bubby took Laila.

Derek took Daddy.

Josh pointed out everyone to Auntie Janet.

Oh, there's Laila!

Joshua navigated our trip for us:

Where to next, Josh?

Oh, to feed Mommy, okay!

Derek and Laila took turns on the Bauby M ride!

Next stop, the hot air balloon ride! (Bauby M sat out on this one...she said she'd had enough Hot Air Balloon experiences for her lifetime)! :)

All aboard!

On to the next adventure.

Then it was off to the carousel!

Laila picked her horse!

Derek chose a Lion!

Here we go!

Fun for all!

Naturally, the next stop was to play mini-golf! (Yes, this place had it all)!!!

Bubby teaches Derek and Laila some techniques of her own.


Hungry, hungry...Bubby?

Practicing their golf game.

Derek enjoyed riding on the automobiles, too!

We got home, put both boys in for naps...and then less than 10 minutes later, our friends Jen and Justin arrived (Jen is a dental school friend and they were both visiting from NJ)!

Jen and Derek.

Silly faces.

Justin and Jen with the boys.

Silly noises!

Josh can't get enough.

The next day....

The boys get ready for a walk.

Josh really wants the phone!

Did Josh destroy his ice cream, or was it the other way around?

Nothing like a good book after yummy ice cream.

It sure was a great winter break....but soon it's back to reality!

Thanksgivukkah, the celebration of the overlap of two holidays; Thanksgiving and Chanukah. It was a rare coincidence that these two holidays would overlap and will not occur again for another 79,811 years.

The first night of Chanukah was at Grandma and Papa's house (they had everyone there - Grandma, Papa, Safta, Aunt Susie, Roberto, Mommy, Daddy, Derek, Josh, Bubby, Zaide, Aunt Shana, Uncle Brian, and Harley & Bailey)!


Harley was so upset Derek stole his "cone" from him!

Josh did his best to stay awake through the late night events!

Jelly Dooooonuts.

Pass the (jelly) baby.

Derek helps light the Menorah.

Presents on the first night!

So much fun, Derek couldn't even bother "wasting time" to pull up his pants.

What better way to end a fun celebration than with OREO cookies! (Zaide Shermie, this one's for you)!

On the 2nd night of Chanukah, we also celebrated Thanksgiving! Yes, this was a huge deal...but, we didn't host as many people as we had last year (the time when we had Joshua's bris and a large Thanksgiving feast all in the same day). Regardless, it was a great time and fun was had by all!

Of course, since we were celebrating Thanksgiving and the festival of lights, Grandma, Bubby, and Mommy made special "Illuminating Fascinators" to help light up the celebration!

The "Girls" in their illuminating fascinators.

Turkey anyone?

Happy to not be part of the "carving" this year!

It's always nice to enjoy a feast with family!

Derek wanted to sit next to Aunt Shana.

Derek handles the 2nd night of candles.

More presents?!

Joshua is loving it!

These two were inseparable! Josh really took a liking to Zaidy Shelly.

Marble Run! Who's more excited, Derek or Uncle Brian?!

Sweet cousins eating sweets!

Puppy love.

Unfortunately, everyone got really sick for the few days following the feast...but, it still was a great time!

Thanksgiving also meant a break from school and work. Derek was able to set up a play date with his friend Tyler! He also helped Tyler celebrate his birthday later that week.