Happy New Year

We were home this New Years for the first time since we moved to Boston.  It was a low key night but so much fun!  Our friends, the Ouellettes hosted us at their house so the girls could run around and play.  It was so nice of them to have us over, they are such great friends.  We also learned that it is a tradition to have Chinese food on New Years Eve, go figure:)  It was a delicious dinner and of course we had to toast with some wine.  I think we did a little to much toasting because before you knew it, it was 11:30 pm. The girls were just having to much fun:)  So when we got home Ava stayed up to watch the ball drop in her jammies (another first).  We think she was excited, except once the ball dropped she says, "now can I go to bed."  Oops!!  It was definitely a wonderful night to end 2013 and ring in 2014!  Here's to a happy and healthy 2014, God Bless!

Wises Family Year in Review 2013

Holiday greetings!  We hope this letter finds you well.

Reagan had an exciting first full year.  She turned 1 in July, inviting her friends to a party on the Melrose Common.  Reagan started walking this year and loves to follow Ava around and do what her big sister does.  We found out this year that Reagan is allergic to many foods, with eczema being the reaction to most of them.  Fortunately, she is an extremely happy and sweet little girl who doesn’t let anything get her down.

Ava’s year was non-stop with several trips, hosting visitors (aka, babysitters), and a full slate of activities.  She turned three, throwing a party at The Little Gym, where she goes for tumbling classes.

If Reagan had an “exciting” year, and Ava had a year with “non-stop” activities, then Marie must have been very busy.  And she was.  Marie does a great job keeping the girls active.  She also had some fun herself, including going to a New Kids On The Block concert.

Cary had a full year with work, weddings and trips.  Keeping up with the girls (all of them) takes everything he has.  Cary is approaching five years at BAE Systems and living in the Boston area.  Marie is only a few months behind.  It’s amazing how time flies.

Congratulations to all of our family and friends who tied the knot this year and invited us to participate in the celebration:  Cara and Keith Redding, Ashleigh and Adam Brewer, June and Zach Craun, Jenn and Sean Mulready, and Anna and Chris Duffy.  We had a great time at the weddings and were honored to attend.

Our family, in various combinations, made several trips this year.  The entire clan stayed with Aunt Nancy in Del Ray Beach, Florida to visit with her and Brandon and his family.  We met some of the Brewers in Hershey, PA to, ride roller coasters and eat chocolate.  A gracious friend of Aunt Nancy’s offered her house on Cape Cod, so the four of us and Nick and Ann hung out on the Cape for a weekend.  Cary went to Atlantic City, NJ for Sean’s bachelor party.  Marie and the girls stayed in Ohio between Thanksgiving and Christmas for a nice extended visit. And finally, Marie and Cary were also able to take a couple of trips on their own due to Ava and Reagan’s wonderful grandparents babysitting.  We had a fun year visiting our family and friends!

Happy holidays and a blessed 2014 from the Wises:  Marie, Cary, Ava and Reagan.

Brewer Christmas

This year all the Brewers came over to Mom and Dad's house for Christmas dinner and to celebrate Jesus being born, our Savior.  It was a great celebration and delicious dinner.  The main course was pork with sweet potato casserole, broccoli casserole, and so many other foods.  After dinner we finally got to open gifts with the kids going first.  It was like a tornado hit Christmas, I think it was all over in 15 minutes:) We got the kids this year all books.  They seem to enjoy all of them!  Then it was the adults turn and like all the other years it was not a dull moment.  From Mike giving us t-shirts that he got for us 2 years ago to my mom surprising us with her shopping skills once again.  We ended the night with amazing dessert made by Carrie, it was so good!  But before the night was over we had to play with all the fun toy, kids and adults:)  It was truly a Merry Christmas!

Christmas Morning

It looks the girls were good this year because Santa left them a whole bunch of great things.  From Daniel Tiger to Mickey Mouse race track.  They were full of excitement and laughter as they opened their gifts.  We got to share Christmas morning with Grandma & Papa, Aunt Bonnie, and Grandmom.  It was so nice to have them there while we had our Christmas.  One of the best parts is to see your children open something that makes them so happy.  This year Ava was so excited to get a doggie purse and I think Reagan was just excited to be there.  She would not stop moving and by the end she wouldn't sit still to unwrap gifts.  Cary had a great Christmas and finally got a working coffeemaker.  We say it every year but we were again blessed to have a wonderful Christmas with so many people that we love and cherish.  Merry Christmas!

Santa Coming to Town

There was lots of things to do to get ready for Santa but the most important was making cookies (and eating them).  This year we made him star sugar cookies with icing.  Ava was such a big helper and a great ice-er.  I'm pretty sure she licked her fingers after each one.  Reagan helped to by watching her big sister to see if she was doing it right.  After we made the cookies we put them down by the fireplace with some raspberries for the hunger reindeer.  They have to eat too!!  I think Santa loved them because they were all gone in the morning.  He knew the special ingredient, love from our sweet girls!