Christmas in PA!

This year we headed to Pennsylvania for a family Christmas with my Grammy, Dad, Sandy, Heather and Shane. What a time we had! There was no snow, but the 22 acres of woods left Brenden's imagination completely stimulated! We went on many walks around the "forest" talking about the wild animals running around, we searched and found animal tracks and even found time to go bowling for the first time as a family! Annie is in love with Grammy! She loved sitting and reading the phonebook (yes, I know) with her! The memories made have been tucked down deep into my heart.

Christmas morning was amazing! However, I am very proud of my Brenden!! He told Papa, "It's not about presents. It's about being with family and God!" There is no gray with my son...it's all very literal right now. Black or white that's it!

We all had a great time and can't wait to get together with the family again!!!

Making cookies...

My little man loves to bake!! So, we pulled out the time honored cookie recipe from my childhood. Over a long weekend we made the dough, let the dough chill, rolled out the dough and made the cookies, and then FINALLY iced the cookies! It was a really fun time with Bren. To those of you who know, check out Brenden's tongue while rolling out the dough...Kovalak genes at work!

First Snow in Boston

This was a fun start to the great amounts of snow we got a couple of weeks ago! It started off really pretty...then the wind picked up and it didn't stop snowing for 3 days! I even got an early start to my Christmas vacation!! What a change from Chicago-the city that NEVER cancels school for snow!!

Annie loved it UNTIL the wind started blowing!

Brenden has had a change of heart and now loves playing in the snow.

Congratulations Roo!!!

For the past 27 months, my sister Heather has been working her butt of getting yet another masters degree! She graduated last weekend with a Masters of Science. Now she is a Physician Assistant!! She loves her life as a PA! I am tremendously proud of her!! She has completed a rigorous program and has come out without too many scars. In a few weeks she will begin her career as a PA in an urgent care facility.

Heather's story is not unusual. What amazes me is how she's carried herself along the way. She has pushed through some pretty awful moments along the way, but she's still pushing forward. When most sane people would have broken down, Heather has risen to find the greatness that is so her. Her story reminds me daily of what everyday people can achieve. I am so proud to call this amazing woman my sister and my best friend. Congratulations to you sister. I love you.

Annie, Papa and Brenden all behaving!