Merry Christmas!

Last night we opened our presents with our kids. We were supposed to get all dressed up and go to the Christmas Eve service but it was cancelled because of the snow. So instead, the kids hopped in the bathtub after supper, in their pajamas and then we opened presents! This was the first year that Kendra really "got" the whole present thing and was VERY excited!! Owen wasn't really that interested, until he got his train set - then it was kinda fun!! It was a cozy night with the snow falling and a nice warm house. I just felt very blessed!!

Kevin reading the Christmas story before present time.

Owen very excited with his train set!
We got Kendra an easel for her present but it was too big to put under the tree. So, we just wrapped up the markers and the chalk. She was so excited to get those I don't think she even needed the easel. However, once she saw it, she thought it was pretty cool!

Hilda getting a badly needed new pair of slippers!

Snow, snow and more snow!

Okay, so we wanted a white Christmas but this is enough already!! For the past 2 days it has pretty much been snowing non-stop here. This year is officially the 'whitest Christmas on record' in the Lower Mainland. As much as it does put a wrench into travel plans, it sure does look beautiful! I think we may just be spending a quiet day at home, in our warm house, just the 4 of us! Merry Christmas to everyone! Enjoy the day remembering the special gift we received over 2000 years ago!

The back yard.

The small bump on the left is one of the kids' ride-on toys, completely buried!!

Making "gingerbread" houses

When I was little, my mom always had all the grandkids over and we each got to make our own little "gingerbread" house. (Actually there are made of Graham crackers) So, I decided to carry on this tradition with my own kids and invited my neices, Karla and Jenna and their kids, Sydney, Berlin and Carson, over to make houses. This year I pre-made the houses before they came and that worked better! The oldest 3 kids had fun icing and decorating their houses while the younger 2 were content to just play on the floor. I'm sure their houses will get eaten by someone in their home!!

Getting a little help with the icing.

Owen watching Karla very carefully!

Kendra, Sydney and Owen - talking, eating and decorating. Does life get any better? :)

Once Owen figured out what this was all about, he didn't want to stop! Pile on those candies!
Berlin and Carson, just content hangin' out on the floor together!!!

SNOW!!!!!

We finally got some snow so of course we had to play in it!! I know for some people who have snow all the time, this is not a big deal but around here it is! So, I pulled out the snow pants and the mitts and toques and we headed outside. Owen wasn't too sure about all the stuff he had to wear but I think he appreciated it once he outside. Kendra was a little dissapointed that it wasn't very good snow for a snow man but she soon found other things to do with it!!
Ready to head out into the snow!

Kendra helping mommy shovel the driveway. This was just the first small dump of snow. The bulk of it came later and then daddy shoveled the driveway again!

Freaky Santa!

Last week we went to Phantom's Christmas party for the kids (Kevin's work place). The kids had fun drawing and colouring, eating snacks and playing with the other kids . . . until Santa arrived. Both were pretty freaked just looking at the big man in red. But, of course, we still had to try get them on his lap. That didn't go over very well. Maybe better luck next year, Santa!!

New camera, first picture!

We bought ourselves an early Christmas present last week - a new camera. The old one was doing funny things and just not taking clear pictures any more. However, with a new camera come trying to figure out what it can do. Here is the first picture we took on it - Owen in a time-out (for what I can't even remember anymore!) As you can see, he was trying for sympathy and taking a peek to see if it was working!!

Fun at Gymnastics!

Every once in a while, if the kids are getting a little restless at home (or are just driving me nuts!) we head to Twisters for an hour of drop-in gymnastics. For an hour, the kids have free reign of all the equipment in the gym. They have so much fun just running and jumping and exploring different pieces of equipment! There is a great coach there as well who goes around and plays different games with the kids. A great way to spend a rainy morning!
Playing "follow the leader"!

Kendra did a great job balancing on the balance beam. Owen wasn't too sure about the balance beam!

Kendra taking a break in the foam cube pit!

Oh Christmas Tree!

This weekend we put up our Christmas tree and the rest of our decorations to make our home look a little festive. Kendra was beyond excited and just kept running back and forth between me setting up the tree and Kevin setting up the winter village. After a few hours, the house looked quite nice, with lots of white lights, a decorated tree and a few snowmen here and there! 24 more days till Christmas!!

When Owen woke up from his nap, he had to check everything out too! We'll see how long the ornaments actually stay on the tree this year!

Almost finished!

A little later, Kendra discovered that I had pulled out all the Christmas books too! That kept her busy for quite a while!

Happy Birthday Owen!!

My little man is now 2 years old! Owen had his birthday on Sunday and he really wasn't too sure what was going on and what all the fuss was about. However, after opening his first present, he realized that there might be some good stuff in those funny packages. We had a good day celebrating with family. Now the trick is to get it through to Kendra that the new things are Owen's toys and not hers!!

Owen is not sure what a birthday card is all about!

Checkin' out his "Things that Go - Puzzle book". This present thing isn't so bad!!

The motorized CAT tractor/loader was quite a hit!

I had quite a bit of fun making his Construction birthday cake. He thought it was pretty cool too!

No nap today!

Kendra has decided over the past 2 weeks that she no longer wants to take a nap. Up until now, I was getting a nice quiet afternoon with both kids sleeping. However, it was getting much harder for us to get Kendra to go to bed and even longer for her to go to sleep. So, as much as I'll miss both kids sleeping in the afternoon, it is better at night. But, tonight at the supper table, Kenda was kinda fidgeting at the table (nothing new). After a few minutes of her being under the table and us being distracted by Owen's wonderful eating habits :), we had a look and this is what we saw! Zonked right out!!

Tea party with Gramma

My mom is visiting us before heading off on her Hawaiian cruise! She had promised Kendra that the next time she came, they could have a 'real' tea party. So, true to her word, they did just that. Gramma had found very pretty tea party dresses at her store for both of them and so they both looked very nice for the afternoon occasion.

Here Kendra is setting the table and getting things ready for her party.

Owen was not really invited but he decided to wake up early from his nap. He had a pretty nasty cold so he didn't look quite as pretty as his Gramma and his sister. He did, however, get right into the party, serving tea and drinking his own.

Thanks for the great party Gramma!!

Pumpkin surprises!

Today we finally got to carve out our pumpkins that we collected at the pumpkin patch. Kendra had been waiting for this day for a long time. She was so excited to cut off the top and see what was inside. However, she was quite disappointed to see that it was "all messy and yucky" in the middle! But once I got it all scooped and cleaned out, it was all okay again. We attempted to carve a face in each one, although this is definitely not one of my greater talents! Good thing little kids aren't critical of artistic talent! We put in a few little candles and set them outside, ready to greet little trick-or-treaters tonight!!

Mayne Island weekend

We had a very relaxing weekend on Mayne Island with my sister Sylvia and brother-in-law Sid (and Pepsi the dog). The weather was beautiful and we enjoyed crisp air and all the fall colours. The kids enjoyed everything about the weekend, from the ride on the ferry boat to throwing rocks in the ocean to walking in the leaves.

Kendra sitting with Auntie Sylvia on the ferry, watching and counting the cars come off at Galiano Island.

Owen watching all the seagulls at the ferry terminal.

Checking out the tree house in the yard.

Owen having a great time filling up his basket with chestnuts!

The beautiful tree in the middle of their yard.

Swinging on the tree swings attached to the big beautiful tree!

They both loved throwing rocks into the ocean water and looking for sea-shell treasures!

I think I could have made another whole blog post on scenic pictures. Everything is just beautiful there!

Walking through the Japanese gardens. Very pretty!