2011 Memories: Video Slideshow of Geller-Cheney Family

Happy New Year! We hope that you enjoy this video slideshow that chronicles the many adventures of our family during 2011.  

You can watch the video HERE (dare you not to cry!) 

Overview of 2011

2011 has been another wonderful year in the Geller-Cheney home.  On March 26, 2011, we welcomed Noah Daniel Geller-Cheney into our family.  Over the past 9 months, we have fallen in love with Noah's sunny disposition, full belly laughs, adventurous nature, easygoing personality, and affinity for cuddling.  Noah adores his big brother Sam, despite Sam's sometimes not-so gentle hugs.  The boys frequently read books together, sing songs, attempt to share toys, and take turns waking us up early in the morning.

Sam has adjusted quite well to his role as big brother and is a wonderful helper, when he is not getting into mischief.  Sam will turn 3 in March and is full of personality.  He speaks in full sentences and is quite the social butterfly.  He loves his music class, swimming in the pool, cooking in his toy kitchen, dancing, riding his tricycle, painting on his easel, playing on our new swingset, jumping in puddles, and loves any toy that has a wheel (trucks, cars, buses, trains, etc).  Both Sam and Noah thoroughly enjoy harassing our wonderful dog Lucy, who is in denial that we have brought another child into our home, which is now completely full of toys!

With two young children, our travels have slowed significantly.  However, we have enjoyed trips this year to Kiawah Island, Wisconsin, North Carolina, Boston, Nashville, Chicago, and Lake Tahoe.  Brad continues to enjoy his job as the Director of Legislative Affairs at the Mortgage Bankers Association.  Rebecca has left her law firm and launched her own consulting company to help small businesses develop (please visit her website www.silverbrooksolutions.com to learn more about her new business venture).  Between work, kids, and volunteering in the community, we lead a happy and busy life!

We hope that you have  a happy new year!

                              

Hanukkah 2011

We had a wonderful time celebrating the 8 nights of Hanukkah with our families and friends.  Between the many holiday parties and gatherings, it was a busy week!  The boys had a great time lighting the menorah, making Hanukkah cookies, playing dreidle, and of course - receiving presents (although we worked hard on buying very few gifts this year). 

Mixing the cookie dough with Pa & Mimi

Rolling out the dough with Mimi

Noah wanted to join the fun with Sam & Mimi!

First Hanukkah as a Family of 4!

Noah loves pulling Uncle D's hair during our Hanukkah celebration

Uncle D gave Noah a fun new stuffed animal!

Jenn helping Sam unwrap gifts - check out the awesome new Hanukkah wall-hanger to help us count the days of Hanukkah!

Noah likes his new Jack In The Box, but he prefers to play with the tissue paper more

Sam said WOW!!! Train table from Mimi & Pa!

Sam made a special hat for Mimi at the synagogue Hanukkah party

Pa gave Noah his first bite of latkes

Silly Rabbi!!!

Moon bounce ended = Sam jumps on Pa!

Singing songs and stories with Rabbi Aft

Enjoying his new train table

Noah's first night of his first Hanukkah!

Second night of Hanukkah at the Papkins' Hanukkah party - Sam Geller-Cheney helping Sam Papkin light the menorah

Lighting the 3rd night with Pa

More fun with Uncle D

Fourth night with buddies Brooke & Brayden.  It is dreidle time!

Geller-Cheney family photo!

6th night of Hanukkah in Boston with the Dame-Cheney families

Noah with Aunt Suriyah

7th night of Hanukkah

Brad lighting the candles with Sam in Boston - last night of Hanukkah

Sam's homemade menorah = delicious!

Sam LOVES the train menorah that Mimi & Pa bought for him in Israel

 This year Sam learned to open the chocolate gelt (gold coins) before eating the chocolate inside.  Last year he was a bit over-eager and ate the gold foil too.  Sam learned most of the words to the Hanukkah prayers and enjoyed the rituals associated with the holiday -- and the train table too.

Hope that you all had a wonderful Hanukkah too!