1st Haircut

Before the holidays, we took Cian for his first haircut. This little guy has a head of hair! It was getting a little long around the ears so we needed a little trim. Cian was such the little trooper!



Update: So, the 2nd time getting a haircut didn't go so well. Cian screamed and it took both Brian and I to hold him down. It was horrible. He might have long hair for now on....

Army Navy 2012

Cian ready for his first Army Navy game! Although he enjoyed it from G-ma's warm house while we all froze in the overcast rain. At least Navy won!

Cian and Uncle Jeff

Dad's big birthday surprise!

For Dad's 70th birthday we pulled off quite the surprise. Leslie, Jason and I all flew to California to surprise my parents for a long weekend. The idea and planning (and money) credit goes to Josh- he pulled everything together. I think it was the first time in almost 20 years that it was just the 6 original Elciks without spouses and kids.

We all arrived on Friday, November 30th and headed to Disneyland Hotel where we hid out at a bar. The craziest waitress waited on us, and she was AWESOME! She even managed to take a picture of us that resulted in Josh looking like he weighed 600lbs. See? (excuse Josh's horrible pedophile mustache for "mo-vember". We made him shave it that night)

Then we all got dressed up, met up with our parents "adopted kid"  Eileen and Dave and met Josh's girlfriend. Then it was off to our parent's favorite restaurant, The Napa Rose, for the big surprise!

  

The big surprise. Not the best shot, this is what happens when you ask a waiter names Saucy to take a picture. And we tipped him.

The Elciks by the Christmas tree

The entire group enjoying breakfast the next morning.

Celebrating Dad's birthday

And Leslie got to celebrate her birthday at Disneyland too!

Christmas in Disneyland!

Our first visit to DisneyWorld in 1978

And us trying to recreate that picture in 2013.... Obviously mom couldn't hold Josh...

Of course in rains in California while we are there!

Practicing our photo bombs!

You are never too old to ride the carousel with your dad!

The last night of our trip. Hanging out with Santa. We were a little drunk. 

That's a lot of fruit in a grasshopper.

annnnddd, that drink belonged to Jason. Who then spilled it.

Learnings from the trip: always clean your hairbrush (leslie!) cause you never know what your brothers will do ....

school picture time

It's that time of year again - school pictures! We really don't know what is worse: "daycare" school pictures or the photographer. But Brian and I keep buying these, because we love how cheesy they are and of course, Cian's expressions.

 

Here we go:

 



Cian is not impressed. Or tired.

 

Ahhh, the fig leaf pose. Gotta keep it PG at daycare...

 

Cian is old enough to have props in his photos!

 

And we saved the best for last. The collage of photos, complete with the sepia tone portrait. Its awesome and we bought it.

Thanksgiving

Well, I suck. Cian's first Thanksgiving and I took one picture. This one:

I was too busy enjoying the day and my family. Cian loved Thanksgiving. We got to enjoy a nice warm day outside as Brian grilled the turkey. And Cian enjoyed mashed potatoes, stuffing, carrots and cranberry sauce. You can picture it in your mind... cause there are no photos. (hand smacking forehead)

I hate sewing

Only took me one year to make these damn curtains for our bedroom... the seams aren't pretty (so no looking up close) and they may be the last time I make curtains. Ever. 

And the word "sewing" is a lie. Its 99% ironing and measuring. 1% sewing.



Our bedroom before

And after. I think I like them. It warms up the space.

Before

After

And a couple more after shots

Family Pics

Trying to get a jump on the holidays and got some family pictures taken of us for our holiday card. Here are couple of cute ones:

Such a cute little head of hair. And look- Cian is wearing shoes!

"My crops are dead, I've got no money, I'm a poor Irish lad"

Cian's cute reindeer hat!

 

Our Christmas card shot!