Great to Get Together

Well, after recovering & lots of play time on Boxing Day it's been getting together with other friends and family.

On Thursday, Nancy, Joan, Mom and I met for lunch. It was great to get caught up from our last luncheon & hear about everyone's wonderful Christmas.

Friday we had Deb & Donnie over for an afternoon visit. It's always great to see them & laugh about all our adventures.

Dad, Grandpa B & Curtis even found some time, here and there, to put an ice rink together. Can't wait for the weather to get cold enough for the 'paddling pool' to freeze!

Saturday was dinner at Uncle Al & Aunt Becky's with the whole gang. We marvelled at all her wonderful decorations, enjoyed a scrumptious dinner & made sure Matt lost many rounds of Guitar Hero. He promised he would practice for next time!

Sunday was our final full day with Grandma & Grandpa B. They treated us to a tummy filling brunch at Mother Tuckers. Way too much food! We spent the afternoon watching some movies and of course, a game or two of Deal or No Deal. It's hard to believe their week is almost up already. It was fantastic having them here.

Monday morning was an early rise to get Grandma & Grandpa B. to the airport. They will be missed very much!

It's Christmas!!!

The countdown is finally over & the boys woke up around 8:00 to find out that Santa made the trip. He got them some games for their PS2 and a memory card for their game cube. Way to go Santa!

It was real special to have Grandpa O and Grandma & Grandpa B here to watch everyone open the mountain of gifts.

We hosted Christmas Dinner for the family. We had Grandpa O, Grandma & Grandpa B, Uncle Al, Aunt Becky, Matt, Aaron & we even met Holly (Matt's girlfriend) for the first time. Our neighbour Deb joined us too. It was lots of fun and everyone seemed to enjoy the yummy food that everyone contributed to.

Thanks to everyone for all the wonderful presents. We hope you liked yours too!

How Many More Sleeps?

The serious countdown has begun. The boys had their parties at school this week. Curtis was a cute but shy reindeer during his concert.

Oh yes, and let's not forget the crafts in class afterwards! We made a stocking for the tree, a gingerbread man with real cinnamon smell, and a tissue Christmas tree. We even had a little time for a quick puzzle and a tour around the class. Thanks Curtis.

Friday night Uncle Steve, Aunt Sherry and Sarah came for a visit. We had some last minute shopping to get done on Saturday and then a little get together with the Ellinghams, the Sherren's and then Wally, Lori & Andreas came over for some Christmas Cheer. The night was full of fun with opening some presents and a few matches of Deal or No Deal. Where is Howie when you need him.

Sunday was filled with hockey...tie game...some Christmas Pudding baking (thanks for your help Curtis) and trying to get everything done before the next batch of guests arrive (laundry, house cleaning, playing with the new games & of course, some groceries)!

Now how many more sleeps do we have?!?!

Another Week Closer

It's another week closer to Christmas and we still feel behind. We managed to get some shopping done this weekend but not wrapped & delivered yet.

The boys had hockey practice on Saturday and we got hit with a big snow storm on Sunday. Grandpa, Uncle Al and Matt made the trek in the snow to see the boys play their game but unfortunately they lost. We had a nice lunch together and then is was outside to try to dig them out as the snow was still falling. The weather network is predicting it is to be one of Ontario's worst storm. I predict a snow day tomorrow!

It's a really good thing Dad got the snow blower from Grandpa's yesterday!!!

Lock Down

This week has been a very bad week for illness. Spencer was home most of the week with the flu and the rest of us were battling a cold. We stayed in all weekend and got plenty of rest to get ourselves healthy. This meant we didn't even get out to get our shopping started...another week behind! We did manage to find some energy Sunday afternoon to get some decorations up and the tree decorated but that's about it. Hopefully next week we can get back on track.

First Snow Fall!

Yesterday's practice went well & then we were off doing a bit of shopping but not too much as we were feeling the cold bug making it's way to our house. We certainly didn't want to be sick for the Loyalty Children's Christmas party tomorrow!

Instead, we woke up to a snow which had been dumped on us overnight. Rather than risk the roads and possibly be late for our hockey game, the kids decided to go play in the snow instead.

First Spencer cleans off the step...

Curtis comes to inspect...
Then they make their way up the stairs...

And try to clean off the deck. Curtis even found some Halloween that hasn't made it's way to storage yet!

Then the camera shy guys notice they are on candid camera...

And are not shy about telling me how much fun they are having...

Practice went great and the game, well let's just say that our defense needs work and the other team was really strong. We lost track of the score but the kids all had fun & that's really what it's all about.

Curtis in Goal and Grandpa O's Birthday

Curtis was more than thrilled to have his turn at goal this week. We were optimistic when the equipment seemed to be about 4 sizes too big for him as he had such a positive attitude.

Can you see the grin on his face...

He started out OK...
But then it was fall after fall after fall & poor Curtis got a whole new appreciation for what a turtle goes through.

Coach was on constant watch to help him back up.

He did his best but part way through the game, he realized the equipment was hurting him and just too difficult so he packed it in. It wasn't all bad as the other team didn't have a goalie either so it kind of helped even things out. All in all I think they may have still won but no one knows for sure.

Then we were off to Mandarin to celebrate Grandpa O's Birthday with the family.

Here is Spencer enjoying what everyone comes to the Mandarin for...the lemons!

Is that Grandpa in amazement that they are bringing him more food...his Birthday dessert?!!Hope you had a great birthday Grandpa (even if Saskatchewan won the Grey Cup)!

Niagara-On-The-Lake

It was our annual trip to NOTL where we pick out our decoration for the year. The day started with the boys at hockey practice and then we met up at the truck stop with Steve, Sherry and baby Sarah; Natalie, Fe and birthday girl Brooklyn; Anne and Adams.

The kids each picked up a Webkin (Brooklyn a Reindeer-even though we all kept calling it a moose, Curtis got Climber the Koala Bear and Spencer got Coco the dog). They were valuable additions to our troop this year!

After we got all full up it was a convoy to the Christmas Store where we met up with Nancy and her mom, Jane. We all took our time finding just the right ornament.
Spencer chose a hockey playing beaver (symbolizing his year of hockey and being in Beavers), Curtis picked a guitar (for him to remember this is the year he got his guitar), and Mom & Dad picked 4 Christmas frogs on a lilly pad (for recognition that this certainly seemed like the year of frogging). We got our names and the year put on our decoration and they will be proudly displayed as soon as the tree goes up!

Then the kids led the way to all of our favourite stops...

...which included shopping for cool (and very cheap) glasses...

(yes, it was a dare)

Can you tell Curtis insisted on dressing himself this morning?!

After a very full afternoon of shopping we were off to the Spaceship for dinner & then home to bed. What a great day it was to see all of our friends we haven't seen in so long. Thanks for making this year an extra special one!