Sorry it's been so long since the last post but things have been busy around the Kolenik house! I plan to post a few times this week so hopefully that will actually happen!
We had a wonderful time in Spartanburg over Christmas, that is, once we finally got there. The East Coast blizzard managed to cancel three flights and delay our arrival by about 36 hours but we finally managed to get down South on Sunday night. The early part of the week was spent with Mary Pat and Victoria catching up on their cousin play time and some last minute Christmas shopping with Aunt Shay Baby and Uncle Knox!
On Wednesday, we headed to NC with Nana and Victoria to ride on the Polar Express. Mary Pat and Victoria loved riding the train all the way to the North Pole where they got to meet Santa Claus! Mary Pat liked Santa from afar, but was not very happy to see him up close this year.
We had a wonderful night and a great stay in our very own cabin at the Hemlock Inn. The next morning we got to enjoy the beautiful mountain views before eating a delicious family style breakfast. Mary Pat tried cheese grits for the first time and LOVED them! After breakfast we headed back to Spartanburg to celebrate Christmas Eve with Nana's side of the family. We had a great lunch and lots of fun with the family secret santa!
After Christmas Eve mass and a delicious steak dinner it was time for Victoria to sprinkle her reindeer food outside so that Santa could find our house! It must have worked, because Mary Pat woke us up at 6am on Christmas morning to go see what Santa had brought. Both girls got everything they wanted including a pink Barbie jeep for Victoria and a kitchen for Mary Pat. It was a fabulous Christmas! The rest of the trip was relaxing and great to spend time with family. The girls had a blast playing with all of their Christmas presents and the entire family enjoyed playing with the Wii! We can't wait until our next visit to Spartanburg when we will have a new baby brother in tow!
Here are (a bunch) of pictures from Christmas.
Here are the pictures form our Christmas card photo shoot!
All aboard the Polar Express on the way to the North Pole!
The girls were ready to see Santa in their matching pjs.
Victoria got her ticket punched.
A little tickle fun on the trip to the North Pole.
Family photo
Nana and her girls at the Hemlock Inn before breakfast.
Victoria sprinkling her reindeer food in the front yard.
Santa came!! Mary Pat's presents are on the left and Victoria's are on the right. Not so sure where we will fit Baby Brother's presents next year!
Victoria in her Barbie Jeep a.k.a "the only thing she ever wanted"
Mary Pat playing with her new kitchen.
The blender was her favorite part.
Checking out Victoria's jeep.
Ready to go for a ride (too bad it was raining outside)
Mary Pat with Tickle Me Elmo
The family watching Victoria play Wii
The cousins brushing their teeth together.
Two weeks ago Mary Pat started swimming lessons! She loves the water and has been doing great in the classes with Daddy. Most of the kids in the class are older (2-3) except for Mary Pat and a six month old little boy. She is one of the only ones who doesn't cry at all! So far her favorite things are kicking her feet while on her back, watching Daddy blow bubbles (and trying to blow some of her own), and staring at all of the other kids of course! She also has enjoyed being dunked and liked "jumping" off the side this past weekend. The class continues for four more weeks so I'm sure there will be more pictures to follow!
Mary Pat and Daddy ready for their first lesson.
Learning to kick while resting on Daddy!
Daddy looks like he's having all the fun here.
Mary Pat LOVED kicking on her back!
Practicing her "pull" stroke.
Holding on to the wall after swimming across the pool.
This is SO MUCH FUN!
Trying to blow bubbles like Daddy (and mostly swallowing water)
Almost
Singing "The Wheels on the Bus" with the rest of the class.
Enough pictures Mom.
Coming up after her first dunk. She really seemed to like it!
Practicing her "jump" into the water.
