Life continues on

Things around the deWolde household have been fairly calm for the past few weeks. January was not an easy month for our little family and so we just kinda laid low for a while. However, life does continue on. And everyday I am reminded of that and of just how blessed I am by my two little miracles. Every child that makes its way into this world, truly is a miracle of God. Even on days when they may be driving me crazy, I love my 2 gifts from God with all my heart!

They decided to take all the pillows in the house and their blankets and curl up on the floor for a little snuggle time!

A favourite thing to do in our house - READ! Here Owen is sporting his new bath robe, given to him by his Auntie Sylvia, which he loves to wear after his bath!

Owen sitting on the potty!! We haven't had any "action" on it yet but at least he likes to sit on it!

Kendra and her daddy enjoying a little "T.V. time"! (Probably a Scooby-Doo!)

Candle sticks

Just in case anyone else happens to see this, I can't get my e-mail to send pictures right now so I'm posting these pictures of my new candle holders for my mom to see. I know the vase in the background is too small and needs to be chunkier and taller, but I tried!!

Enjoying Christmas presents

Kendra received an easel from us for Christmas and it turned out to be quite a hit. She uses it everyday to create new masterpieces! However, this does mean that I don't get quite as many paper creations during the day. This is a good thing as I was already running out of space to put them all but now I don't have a record of some of her drawings. So, I thought I would take pictures of some of her good ones. This is a drawing she did of her stegasaurus dinosaur eating apples from the apple tree. Not bad for a 3 year old!

The New Year - but still a little Christmas!

Yes, I know it is the New Year, but last Sunday the kids finally got to wear their Christmas outfits for the first time! Because of the snow, all our Christmas services were cancelled and then they were sick so didn't go to church. So, last Sunday, we finally pulled them out. The tree was still up so we even got a picture in front of the tree. Christmas - a few weeks late!

This was a close as I could get to a picture of the two of them together!!

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!!!