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HINT: To find Gabby in the videos, look for PINK tape and WHITE socks!

Hard to say who was more excited!

Arrived at Hockeytown in Saugus, MA.

Geared up!

First steps onto the ice with a stick in her hands!

She did great as the first in line for skating drils.

Then her first time with a hockey puck, and she hit the bucket several times!

Then some pair passing. 🙂

They scrimmaged a bit at the end, but I didnt get any videos. They did play “socce-y” which was a pretty natural cross-over for Gabs. HA

We also grabbed a couple of hockey balls because wanted to practice her stick handling.

There’s something really amazing about walking past her room and seeing the pads laid out to dry. <3

Gabby’s so excited to get out on the ice with a stick in her hands! Her fitting (included in the program) was today!

First stop was to get signed in and grab her jersey, then quickly over to helmet fitting!

Then along to shoulders and elbows.

Then pants.

And skates and shins!

Daddy taped up her first stick. 🙂

Blades came by for a high-five and photo!

Then grabbed a lanyard and stickers on her way out!

Ready for her first hockey ice time!

On Monday we celebrated at home after school with Gabby’s dinner request (tortellini with butter and cheese) and birthday cake.

Thank you to friends and family that sent sweet birthday messages and FaceTime calls. She was such a happy girl and loved all her gifts!

This weekend Gabby had her birthday party at Altitude Trampoline Park!

These girls are tough! 😆

They all loved the foam pit lol

Time for cake!

Finished with time in the hurricane simulator lol Thanks Mr. Carl!

Thank you to all who came out to celebrate! Gabby was feeling the love 🥰

Gabby made Shaun a “Birthday Boy badge!”

She pulled it out all by herself!

We attempted to make our friend Kedar’s spicy potatoes recipe. 🙂

It turned out pretty good, but we did forget a couple of things. Whoops!

Our first time cooking potatoes in the pressure cooker. Worked pretty well!

We also never cooked with Green Chilies before … so Shaun tried one before chopping. Long story, short, yes, they’re definitely hot!

Other ingredients were tumeric, olive oil, salt, ginger, and garlic. And cilantro, which we forgot!

Much more authentic naan from the Indian market down the road. Very yummy.

About 10.5” in Burlington, MA. First real storm in about two years.

The kids were super excited!

By the way .. No, we did not get a puppy, despite what Sammy seems to be suggesting at the end. HAHA

Stockings!

Unwrapping together!

Then …. there was a special pair of gifts for the end.

Gabby got a brand new iPad Mini! (Sammy’s tablet is the one they’ve always shared, but in a new case and with everything setup for just him.)

Building Daddy’s gift … a Land Rover Defender LEGO! <3

While waiting for the Christmas Day tradition of monkey bread to finish in the oven!

Off for a walk since the weather was so nice!

And back for some mini hockey! Sammy loved it.

And Gabby played with ~2-3 gifts, simultaneously, for the remainder of the day!

Finally, a lovely traditional-ish Christmas Day dinner prepared by Mommy. (Ham, Buffalo-style Cauliflower, Yams, Corn, Mac and Cheese, Kings Hawaiian Rolls)

First up … look at this handsome ho(w)liday hound!

Gingerbread houses!

Gabby and Daddy:

Sammy and Mommy:

Timelapse was going well … until it took a dive off the top turn-buckle. Some Kings Hawaiian rolls knocked it off. 😂

Family tradition! Mommy’s lasagna on Christmas Eve. 🙂

Cookies and milk were out for Santa. <3