The New Party Scene!

More New Year's Highlights! Our friends, the Stanos and Becks came over for THE party of the year. We danced, ate and had a blast. 9pm is the new midnight--unless you're Elsa, in which you almost make it and then immediately crash on your mom! Here's to another year of happy and healthy memories!

That was soooo last year.......

Blogging, I mean....Just kidding! Laura here, to update and get back on track!

Since Thanksgiving, lots has happened, so let us begin....
First, we had Elsa, Emma and Ella over to play with Colby and played "How Many Toddlers Can You Cram into the Front Hall before Someone Gets Hurt," which incidentally is 10 minutes, Ella took a spill and Colby took the corner of the door to the face--endless fun and danger :)

Christmas was hectic and crazy. We had Auntie Carrie and Uncle David in town to spend time with and be merry. Then, the we dashed off to NH to see Grandma Nennie, Grumpy, Kate and Barry and Arlo. THEN, on the way home from NH, we had the wonderful opportunity to visit Mommy Mags and Tess. Sorry Paul, we missed you! Now for the pics!

Snow Day: Colby imitates Randy from A Christmas Story.

Not a fan of the frigid cold and unappreciative of the lovely picturesque snow, Colby stayed for one photo op and then it was back inside the house.


Saag Aloo and some Garlic Naan, anyone? Colby helps Auntie Carrie and Uncle David order some delcious pre-Christmas take-out.


"Jingle bells, Batman smells, Robin laid an egg....." Colby played the piano on Christmas Eve to get the festivities going! On Colby: a Grammy Collins original. On Joe: clothes he usually wears for meetings ;) hence, his discomfort.


Hugs are good! Cousin Arlo, "the Snuggle-Bug" gives the cutest, cuddly hugs. Colby loved them. And so did Arlo's Auntie :)



Two smart cookies: Holiday Inmate #1 (Arlo is #2!) making gingerbread with her Grandma Nennie during Cooking Time.


Here are Colby and Arlo being pulled in a sled in the driveway of the October House. Arlo was assuming a more laid-back stance, while Colby tried to decide if she liked sledding or not....

Next is another Colby and Arlo picture. We were trying to get the "cute grandkids" shot, but this one was funny. I think they were looking at the upside down Christmas tree that Grandma and Grumpy rigged. Is it going to fall? It is suspended by magic--who knows?!

And here they are at the Dover Children's Museum. They had a blast. Colby is thinking, "Yes, we can share Cherrios, but I will be needing the snack cup back...."

And last but not least, here is the Collicki Family with the newest member to the McMorrow Family. Cute baby Tess, she was such a trooper, even when we made her Mom bundle her up like a sherpa to take us to the airport!

If you're noticing something strange....Yes, I have dyed my hair dark brown. I love it. Just wanted to mention it if it was on the tip of your tongue.

Lots to be Thankful for this Year!

Thanksgiving was fantastic! We had lots of family over during the long weekend. Guest stars include, Grandma Nennie, Grumpy (Michael), Grammy and Poppi Collins, the Stanos with extra special guest star Brighton Sawyer Stano and of course, us Collickis.

Joe conducted arts and crafts, which lead to lots of crayon smears on the furniture and eaten paper. Fun all around!

And then Elsa and Colby had some fun at the new art table as well....

It was a great day had by all! Thank you to everyone who came to dinner and the lovely and tasty dishes you brought! This has been such a wonderful tradition. Carrie and David, you were missed greatly, we love you.

Mama's New Job

Hello! It's Laura and I just wanted to again highlight that I am fully employed at Dulaney High School. I was not super specific in the Halloween post. I am a Paraeducator in the Special Education department, in a classroom with students with a variety of special needs, ranging from high functioning kids with mild MR and Downs to kids with ADHD and Autism. It is a great job and I love the classroom and staff. Plus, the school is right near where Colby goes to daycare and the hours are great, so it is win-win all around! So no more, "When I get a job....." that day is here! There will be no newsletter in the holiday card, so consider this your newsbreak!

*Side note: the title of this post is a shout-out to Grandma Locken, who had this book in her collection of the Berenstain Bears series!

Here is a picture of Colby, cheering for her mom's new job and sweet insurance plan! Go Pats :)

The Stano GIRLS :)

So I know we are late to the party, but WELCOME BRIGHTON SAWYER STANO! Brighton was born on Monday, November 9th at 2:07pm with relative ease, stressful planning notwithstanding ;)
She has been here for just over two weeks, but those two weeks have been super busy! I (Laura) started my new job (full-time BCPS Employee, no more subbing--HOORAY!) at Dulaney High School working in the Special Education Department, but still found time to hang out with Elsa while her baby sister was being born. Here is one adorable pic that we took when Elsa was helping take care of Brighton. These girls are such cute little sisters, I hope Colby doesn't start asking for one! Actually, she burst into tears when Joe and I took turns holding Brighton, so I am pretty sure Colby is not ready to be a big sister. More soon!

Halloween is Fun!!!

Halloween is the best holiday yet! First it is Daddy's Birthday the day before so the party starts early. He introduced me to the wonderful world of Pizza Hut pizza and the just as good next morning Pizza Hut pizza. Mom also got Dad this awesome cake. I didn't eat any, but it looked to cool to eat anyway.
The next cool thing is getting to hang out with your friends in funny costumes. For Halloween I played with my friends Emma and Ella. They were the best looking Bee and Ladybug on the block. I was a duck. We had so much fun showing off our costumes to the neighbors and our parents. Here are a few highlights.

After the trick or treating we played on the slide and had a dance party. Dad is working on the music video from the party. You will have to wait for that. That's all for now. Time for bed. Please give me some comments and let me know that you are doing well.

Boo at the Zoo!

Yesterday, Mom and Dad took me to the Maryland Zoo at Baltimore for the Zoo Boo Halloween event. My best friends Aunt Jen and Elsa were there, and also Uncle Brandon ;) We had such a good time! We saw birds, turtles, polar bears and farm animals, mostly goats and cows. It was delightful--I wore myself out. The minute we got in the car, I fell asleep!

When's the last time you saw Elvis and a duck riding a turtle?! Well, you have now!


This is me and Mom walking around the barnyard, just us girls....