We can relate

The tradition continues

Eight children between the ages of will-be-two next week (Daniel) and turned-five-last-August (Joey) enjoyed ice cream sundaes, playing in our playroom, and watching Melbourne, Australia ring in 2015.

Happy New Year ice cream sundaes

Just like "Frozen"

Belle's necklace has a picture of Disney's "Frozen" Queen Elsa and it reads "Big Sis." Emily's has a picture of Princess Anna and the words "Lil Sis."

The Walking Mom crew

(On the top of the couch, L - R) Marc, Charlie
(On the couch, L - R) Aaron, Marielle, Belle, Emily, Daniel, Jenny, Dorothy

525 love

Little Charlie always used to end up on my lap when we played together or went to music class together the first year of his (and his twin Marielle's, and of course Belle's) life. At today's Walking Mom reunion, the same. This time, Emily gravitated to Charlie's mom Dawn. So much love.

Playing!

We had a bit of a Walking Mom reunion today. Here, (from L to R) Marielle, Belle, Charlie, Aaron,and Emily play in Marc's room.

Sister love

This morning, Belle was being silly and "hiding" under our dining room table when she bumped her head. She crawled out from under the table crying and came to me for a hug. While I was comforting Belle, I thought I heard the refrigerator door open, but figured that I was mistaken. That is until Emily came running over to Belle with a teething ring. She offered it to Belle to be used as an ice pack and said, "Belle boo boo." Belle appropriately hugged Emily (and I may have shed a tear). Emily must have heard Belle crying, opened the freezer for and grabbed the frozen item for her sister. I didn't even know Emily could open the freezer door! What a delight these girls are. I hope they always help each with ice packs and hugs.

But now I love my unique name

And thank goodness for the Paint Tube near Fort Lee, NJ which afforded me (via my grandparents) wonderful personalized treasures, many of which I still enjoy today.

Ceplers and Gibs

Belle, Sam, Mia, Emily

Playing with the Gibs in NJ

Belle played nicely with Sam, and Emily got a kick out of another little girl named Mia (just like Cousin Mia).

Seren on the slopes

Craig and some cute girls

Down on the farm

Craig and the girls joined Joanna, Noah, and Mia on a sleigh ride at a Vermont cheese farm today.

Hello from VT!

Craig and Belle on the slopes

Shopping and lunch at the Outlets

Napping little girls

It's exhausting watching others ski. 

Ski bunnies!

Belle prepares to try skiing for the first time

The non-skiers

Emily and Mia had fun in the lodge!

Ready to hit the slopes!

Cousins Noah and Mia are as excited as Belle.

Emily and Mia

They can't wait to go to bars together (in 19 years).

The Perfect Wife

Craig and I celebrated our engagement at The Perfect Wife in Manchester, aver not in August 2006. Here we are, back a second time, but as a family of four and with our cousins (Uncle Jeffrey, Aunt Joanna, Cousins Noah and Mia). So, this time, it was a table for eight!

Happy Hanukah

Amazingly grown-up and caring Belle

On Saturday, our synagogue brought out individually wrapped Twizzlers at the end of the children's service. Belle asked me if she could have one, and I said yes. I watched kids take handfuls of candies, but Belle took only two: "one for me, and one for Emily."

Later, at the kiddush luncheon, I offered to get the girls something to drink. Belle volunteered to take care of it. So, Belle went solo to the drink table and returned with two small cups of apple juice: one for her and one for Emily. I was particularly impressed that Belle carried the two cups of apple juice across a crowded room with grace, and she didn't spill a drop.

I didn't ask Belle to get candy and apple juice for Emily. Belle seems to instinctively know to take care of her little sister. I encourage and praise it, and hope that it lasts forever; that Belle will always look out for Emily.

Belle and Emily are joys.

More cousin fun

Mia, Emily, Liam, Scarlett sing and play and smile. SO CUTE!

Belle and Noah = cousin love

Cousins dining and being silly

Belle, Noah, Emily, and Mia eat dinner and play on the window seat at Cousins Diane and Michael's house. Fun times!

Happy Hanukkah

Emily and Craig

At our synagogue Hanukkah party. 

Date night at the Nassau Coliseum

Go Islanders.

Hanukah treats

Fun arts and crafts from Uncle Joe and Aunt Carla, and lollipops (and giggles) from Grampy.