We (somehow) found our seats (no usher? SMH!) and began to examine the (hastily designed) schedule (which was not in military time!).

As the lights lowered (barely, is this absolute dark? OMG!) the projector sprung to life.

(Animals, so predictable)

Good times. 10 short animations. All well chose. I highly recommend it (even if Kate had to drag Noah and I there).

On the other hand, I don’t recommend going shopping with Kate after.

On New Year’s Day we got together with Kate’s side of the family. This year Kate’s cousin Ed and his family joined us. Ed’s daughter Vienna dressed Declan as Santa.

Nana T. and her fancy, flashing, flamingo necklace.

Lisa and Santa.

Ed’s youngest daughter Raisse with Noah.

Noah’s new tent!

Superwoman®

Cousin Michelle helping Noah get ready for the ride home.

Had to check out the red giraffe.

Noah tried to smack the smile off this suns face.

Sizing up the competition.

Magic carpet ride.

Almost ready.

“Where is that 60 foot kicker?”

That might not have been exactly how it went, but Noah gave it a try three times that day and seemed to get the idea. Kate would walk in front of us and while still holding holding his hands I would have him go towards her using either his toes or his heels.

High 5′s to Grampa Holt.

Apres snowboarding with a little juice and watching some Diego, who just by sheer coincidence was snowboarding in the episode that was on my phone.

Auntie Mindy brought out the 4-wheeler and Noah wanted a ride.

Careful in these woods, people are out to get you.

(The next few photos are by Kate)

Snowboarding, so hot right now.

Helping Aunt Mindy pack.

Bath time with Nana.

Especially on Christmas Day!

Noah opening everything in his path.

Including a stuffed falcon…

…and his first snowboard!!

…and a horse cake that he asked Aunt Mindy for over Thanksgiving.

Friendly dogs.

Gear testing.

Later, at Uncle Wayne and Aunt Patty’s.

Back at Nana and Grampa’s house, two little monkeys jumping on the bed.

Jaycee!

Celebrating Nana Holts birthday.

Winding down.

(note – Not my best photos, I took the seat of a proud parent for this)

First up, the lil’, lil’ ones.

Proud parents everywhere.

The second group (the 2 year olds) kind of fell apart.

Intermission. Twin violinist, the daughter’s of Ms. Shameka who works in the office.

Next up, Noah’s class.

Group song.

The girls were snowflakes.

The boys were elves.

Noah cheesing at us.

His well practiced bow.

A quick vid of the elves performance.

They closed it out with the big kids (4 year olds).

Noah was proud of himself, or maybe he was proud of the red turtleneck he had to wear. Either way, he was happy to see us.

Then we met up with this girl…

…and Nana and Opa for a trip into the city to see Santa.

The sun was bright and the line was long..

But we made it inside right before Santa took a break.

Derbs!

This was Noah’s 4th year visiting Santa at ABC, the excitement showed on his face.

Faker.

Then, a little something for me.

This might be the year…

Leo got to the party late too, so he helped us figure out where everyone was.

Heavy petting.

Making hats.

Working with Zion’s mom.

Brodie and Zion.

Mia Mae.

Amelie.

Leo.

Birthday girl!

Clio and Amelie.

Laila with her dad.

Questions.

A quick run around the zoo with Zion after the party.

Prospect Park Carousel.

Park looking good.

Thanks to Audrey for inviting us to her party!

Savannah was so excited to see us that she ran around the corner and fell.

In Savannah’s building people just left buckets of candy outside their door. Some people poke their heads out when they hear us outside, but mostly it was a free for all.

Of course, some people smartly left instructions.

Derbs when as Gwyneth Paltrow’s kid… Apple (I got bad jokes for days).

Maxine went as Supergirl.

Amelia

Tragedy struck when Noah’s bag busted.

Then Savannah wrecked again.

Seamus kept it together, even if he took off his costume.

Them girls…

The last raid before we went back to our building.

As we walked up to our apartment, Alexa on the first floor came out eager to give Noah a treat, and as we thanked her Honey came out of her apartment asking us to knock on her door.

Honey had an entire basket just for Noah.

Filled with amazing things like whoopee cushions.

And 3-d Glasses.

Honey even had tricks for Kate and I.

So sweet. Thanks Honey! And thanks to Andy and Aransas for inviting us to trick or treat with them.

Nana and Grampa brought a present from Nina and Jasper.

Some great new clothes.

Nana and Grampa brought a present too.

Outside with Grampa.

Singing Happy Birthday to Nana T.

Chelsea skatepark.

The carousel at Chelsea Piers.

All of the animals on the carousel are native to New York State. Noah chose the falcon.

Kate chose the skunk.

Noah’s second choice was the fox.

The Richard Serra show at Gagosian.

The elevator up to The High Line.

After The High Line we had dinner with the Savas’.

Always great to have Nana and Grampa in town.

Declan was having a good time.

Party!

Cake! (Made by Kate)

Nicole with the boys.

Presents!

Rescuing animals, so hot right now!

Declan relaxed in knowing that the following weekend would be his christening and he would show up “mr. seersucker shorts”.

Thanks to Emmett and Lisa for letting us make a mess of their house, and thanks to everyone for the great presents.

Wild 3 year olds doing dances for their Nana.

Wild birthday deliveries (they do that in Maine?) from generous Aunt Mindy.

WILD!

It was so wild at the house, that Kate and I went for a hike. Just the two of us. I’ll recap a little.

Our car, growing smaller.

The hike getting steeper.

The view getting better.

The sap, getting sappier (and the bugs, to the left of Kate, getting hungrier).

Our post hike lunch.

Back at the house, wild boy grew another tail.

At the playground in town.

Dinner.

The typical mid-meal distractions.

Dessert!

Presents!

While I got cleaned up Noah grew a tail.

So far the people in Maine seemed nice…

My parents (Nana and Grampa) met us at the house we rented.

Noah has so much to learn…