All we want for Christmas is...

the Wii. Luckily, Santa secured us a Wii this year. Since it was the only item on their list, they were very happy to receive it.

Everyone here as well as Grandmommy, Grandpoppy and Brigid have created their Miis (mees) to play the games.

Jess is a wicked bowler and Nicole has a slice in golf. Of course, Nicole loves her Hannah Montana game and even had Grandpoppy learning the moves!

Trip to the Mission

Jessica's religion class, taught by my dear friend Tracy, wanted to visit with families who did not have as much as we do. All the children brought presents to the mission. In addition, they sung songs and helped served lunch.

Tracy organized the event and emphasized to our children how similiar we are all.

It was a great start to the week of Christmas.

Junior Holiday Party

Nicole's Junior troop put on a holiday show for the families. It was all about how different cultures and countries celebrate during December.

Here is their version of Rudolph. Nicole is in the back right and is Dasher.

Meeting Mickey

Part of my training was to do publicity shots and videos. Here I meet the mouse that started it all. I like this shot because Jim thought it was hysterical that I have all the professional equipment on site.

What else would you expect from Disney?

Christmas in Magic Kingdom

One of the benefits of my winning was having Jim, Jess and Nicole experience the Walt Disney World Resort at Christmas. I have to admit they look happy even after waking up at 4:00 am to take the 6:00 pm flight to Tampa, drive across the state and then go to Mickey's Christmas Party at 7:30!

It was a remarkable three days for the Three Calballeros as they like to call themselves now.

Lunch with Royalty

Disney rolled out the red carpet for us. Everytime we turned around we had another surprise. Here Brett, myself and Heather meet Princess Aurora during lunch at Cinderella's Royal Table. Afterwards, we got to visit Cinderella's suite. It was truly a place to stay and you have a butler on call for you.

So it begins

As you know, I won a contest with Disney which will have me providing travel tips to families visiting my favorite place.

Here are some of the people I have the pleasure of working with: Beatrice, Kim, Michelle, Heather, Laura, Darcie and Brett.

You can start emailing us at http://www.disneyworldmoms.com on January 7.

Dancing Elves

If you have not done this, you are missing out on some laughs. This is our family. Happy Holidays!

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1343472773

Finally One Spot

After looking for a tree and wreathes for the houses, Jess, Brendan, Nicole and Kelsey get together for this shot. It is the only one we have of the four of them.

The day was a lot of fun - being cramped in the car for over an hour each way, freezing in the snow looking for a tree and chasing four children in 4 different directions is a tiring way to spend a Sunday.

However no major battles between spouses over which Christmas tree to pick - priceless!

Away in Jess and Brendan's Manger

Jess and Brendan wanted to know what it was like to sleep on branches like Baby Jesus. Plus they were tired from searching the hill for their trees.

The James Boys Moving Trees

Brendan James and Jimmy carry our tree down the hill. I am sure Rick would have liked the help with his tree even if it only lasted as it took me to snap this picture.

Kelsey's Tree

Kelsey liked this little tree. She may have to wait a few years before she gets to bring it home.

The Nichols Family Tree

This is the tree that will be residing with Kelsey, Erin, Brendan and Rick.

Brendan was happy to finally be able to pick the tree.

Rick was happy that the saw worked.

On Top of the Mountain

For the third year in a row, we have journeyed to Jones Family Farm in Connecticut to cut down our tree. This year we went with our cousins which was a lot of fun.

Brendan and Jess climbed a big rock in order to scout our trees.

Finally my Cupcake!

At the end of the party, she finally had her sixth and finally birthday cake.

Oh to be 9 again!

Too Many Chefs?

Chefs Kara, Nicole, Christine and Kaitlyn do not look happy. Maybe their dinner is burning?

Chefs in training

Chefs Caroline, Jessica, Olivia, Emma, Nicole and Hannah show us their creations.

Yum-o!

Cooking School 101

Nicole had a cooking birthday party this year. She and her friends decorated aprons and then made pizza and cupcakes.

Here Nicole, Meaghan and Brigid decorate their aprons.

Locks of Love

Jessica grew her hair for many months only to have it cut off so she could donate it to Locks of Love. Locks of Love uses the donated hair to make wigs for children who have cancer.

We are very proud of Jessica's patience as she grew her hair for a great cause!

Nicole and Grandmommy

Nicole and Grandmommy before they start to eat cake!

Happy Birthday in Pennsylvania

Nicole had her fifth birthday celebration at Grandommy and Grandpoppy's on Saturday. Smiling are Aunt Kathleen, Nicole, Ryan and Jessica. Nicole had to share her party with Aunt Kathleen whose birthday is December 1st. In true Grandpoppy fashion, each girl had their own cake.

Mohawk Man

Justin grew a yellow mohawk as we left Philly. This hat is very funny and easy to spot in a crowd.

Too Cool for Santa but Never for Ice Cream

Jess and Alex may thought they were too cool for Santa Claus but they are never too cool for ice cream sundaes.

Ice cream for moi!

Nicole and Zachary smile at the yummy birthday sundae Nicole got for her 9th birthday.

Rock Stars for their Birthdays

Nicole and Alex turned 9 and 14 this weekend. We had lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe and they had to go to the center of the restaurant to have "Happy Birthday" sung to them. I do not think they were amused.

Yuletide Train Ride

We rode the Yuletide Train from Woodcrest, NJ to Philadelphia with our cousins. Here Justin, Zachary and Nicole are waiting for Santa to arrive and handout treats. The train was filled with balloons and carollers entertained us between stops. We then went to Macy's to see the Holiday light show and Santa.

I am Going to Disney Again

With some encouragement from family and friends, I entered a contest sponsored by Walt Disney World Resorts. I was chosen to be on the first ever Moms Panel to help families plan for their trip to Disney. I am one of 12 moms who will answer your Disney questions by email. Disney chose me out of 10,000 other entrants.

Thanks to all of my family and friends who have listen to me give you advice on how to make your Disney trips fun. I guess all the practice paid off.

I will be in Disney from December 8-11 with a photo shoot in front of Cinderella's Castle. Disney at Christmas-what fun!

We Need a Rest

After makings signs late on Saturday night, and getting up early Sunday, and then traveling all over the City and waiting, Thing 1 and Thing 2 (Emma and Nicole) take a well deserved break in the hotel room as the guys get ready to go home.

Training Buddies Reunited

After training many months and enduring long weekends together, Jim and Ken finally celebrate finishing their first NYC Marathon with the kids.

I do not know who was happier it was over-them or the kids?

Hugs from the Cheerleaders

After finishing with a time of 4:19, Jim meets up with his favorite cheerleaders-Nicole and Jess.

Nicole is holding his medal.

Team Schlectherberry

Not even a cramp can stop Ken from finishing his first marathon. Here he is with Harry, Hannah, Peggy and Emma. He should be proud of not only finishing his first marathon but raising money for Fred's Team for cancer research.

Finally Jimmy

Finally at 12:30, Jim crosses the half way point. He looks good and relaxed but the battle of the goo would sap his strength.

Waiting for the Dads

With mere minutes before Jim was to cross the half way point-Emma, Nicole, Jess, Harry and Hannah get their signs ready. They have only been holding them for about an hour.

Here We Go

Team Schleterberry (Emma, Hannah, Peggy and Harry) and Team Choisezberry (Nicole and Jess) are on the 9:38 for a ride into Jamaica, then switch to the Woodside train and finally the 7 train to Queens for viewing at mile 13.

We look so excited before we started our mini marathon.

Enough candy already

After being out for over two hours, the girls are ready to call it quits. Christine, Emily, Meaghan, Nicole, Jess, Kara, Kaela and Brigid are still smiling.

Spooks on Daisy Avenue

A burglar and two grim reapers were lurking on our street. Where are Mark, Eric and Jess?

Girls Night Out - Halloween

Little Red Riding Hood(Nicole), Gabriella (Emily), Belly Dancer (Christine) and Kabuki Dancer (Brigid) get ready to head out for some candy.

Time for a nap

Ever the good dad, Rick shows Kelsey the fine art of taking a nap after eating.

Kelsey goes for the food

Kelsey is all business when it comes to dessert. This little one learned from her favorite - Nicole who is showing her to just eat the icing!

Jessica' third party

Being Jessica means having 3 parties! This is the final party with the NY family. Brendan is just waiting for the song to be over so he can eat his apple crisp.

Jessica's surprise birthday party

Jessica's surprise party was at Benihanas. She picked the friends, date and time. The surprise is that she forgot to tell Jim and I that she invited all of these girls!

We are still not sure if everyone who was asked came but she had fun.

Apples in 5 minutes

After getting bad directions to the apple orchard and sneaking in just as it closed, we did manage to get a bushel of apples.

We had enough apples to make the apple crisp for Jessica's party and for the family to take home apple crisps as well. Lucky for Brendan, I forgot to hand them out so he got two apple crisps to go!

What a great gift-Aunt Kathleen

Having a world traveling Aunt makes it difficult to see her. What a special treat to have Aunt Kathleen at Grandmommy's and Grandpoppy's for my birthday.
Where is Chloe?

Boy is it hot and we are tired

Grandmommy, Jess and Ryan looked beat after walking around William Penn's house. Where is the air conditioning when you need it?

William Penn's House

Jessica and Grandpoppy are sitting on a bench at William Penn's estate. All buildings are replicas as nothing survived to the 1800s.

Jessica turns 11

Jessica is celebrating her 11th birthday. She is worried Nicole is making bunny ears but the joke is on Nicole!

Jessica's class at Old Bethpage

This is Jessica with the girls from her class -Gabby, Katie and Jasmine.

Jess in a sack race

Jessica is getting ready for a sack race. Her class visited Old Bethpage Village during their annual fair.

I don't want to go to school

Alas, after having spent 12 days in Disney this summer, Jess and Nicole head back to school.

Need a fork

The Whispering Canyon's restaurant is know for being crazy. If you need a fork, this is what you will get. Never ask for a refill on soda!

You have to ride Dumbo

Jess and Nicole get ready to ride Dumbo with their friends Brigid, Emily and Patrick.

Headstrong

This is the starting pose for Headstrong. Sorry it is blurry as I should have adjusted to action.