Merry, Merry, Happy, Happy!!!

It's been a very exciting past few weeks. The holidays zoomed right on by but not without some fun partying and family time celebrations. We kicked off the festivities with the annual Novoa holiday party in Connecticut. Mother nature tried to stop us by throwing us a winter blizzard but that didn't stop everyone from coming. It was a smaller party than usual but uniquely intimate.

Oliver got lots of practice walking up and down grandma and grandpa's stairs.

Oliver also got to see his very favorite little man, Jordan. We couldn't keep Oliver away from him. He kept wanting to give Jordan hugs and kisses. It was simply precious.

Oliver joined in the traditional carol singing. He learned a lot while studying the score with his grandpa.
After learning the music with grandpa, Oliver felt brave enough to get up in front of everyone and sing with his grandpa.
A few days later we returned to CT to celebrate the Christmas holiday. We started our evening by taking our annual holiday pictures in front of the tree.

Oliver got lots of presents including a rocking horse and his very own fold out couch.
The greatest gift Oliver got was to spend lots of time with his grandma and grandpa. He really loves them!

Poor Gizmo only got this box of raisins for Christmas. Better luck next year pug!

First Snow

This past weekend we had our first real snow fall of the season. Technically our very first snow fall was in the beginning of October but that was just a passing shower. This, on the other hand, dropped legitimate snow that stuck to the trees and the ground. All this was just in time for Oliver to try out his brand new snow suit that his Grandma and Grandpa got for him. I'm not sure what was harder for him to navigate; walking in the snow or walking in the snow suit.


That same day Oliver's new snow suit was put to the real test when Oliver and Jennifer went to the banks of the Charles River to support me in yet another 5K road race. Were we crazy?...ummm yes! It was about 10-15 degrees colder by the water with something like 20 mile per hour winds. All this made for ideal weather for running and even greater weather for spectating...Not! Oliver's cozy surroundings were the envy of all the racers. Fortunately, running 3.1 miles made me pretty warm but I can't say as much for my poor wife.

Coming down the final stretch. Trust me when I say I tried to beat this kid but damn his 12 year old legs! That's right, 12 years old!