"There's no place like home for the holidays!"

This past Christmas Holiday was one of the best EVER! It started with my sisters, Maria and Sarah coming into town. I pulled the boys out of school the last two days to start the holiday fun. We celebrated Winter Solstice again. Definitely a worthwhile tradition.

We headed out to Salmon Arm for a delicious meal at my sister Ardie's place on the 22nd. My parent rolled into town that night as well.

The 23rd was designated as the day to celebrate Maria's bday. (she's a Christmas Eve baby). I spent most of the day preparing the meal for 27 people. I made bread bowls and Caribbean Pumpkin Soup and salad.

Mom performed "What's the Good of a Birthday"! Always a favorite.

Then we quickly took down the tables, cleared the meal and dishes and set up for a sing a long with friends. At one point I counted 55 people at our place. It was so much fun. Another tradition worth keeping.

Christmas Eve day we headed up the mountain to go snowshoeing. At bit of a nightmare with a tired and grumpy 3 year old. :)

Even Ryan's truck was decked out for the festivities.

That evening we headed over to my brother's place for another great meal. APPIES!!! yum!

I also baked Maria her one of her favorite pies, Peach Pecan.

That evening we came home and opened one gift... pj's. Ryan couldn't be happier. :)

Ryan then spent the night throwing up. FUN! We opened stockings and gifts and made it to church in time for me to sing in the choir, sing a song with my sisters and for Joe to sing a duet with his cousin. (SO ADORABLE!!!)

The day was finished off with another feast at my brother James'.

The reenactment of the Nativity was done Christmas Eve. Greta was an angel, Edwin was Joseph and Joe was a wiseman.

The next week was filled with skating, hiking and relaxing. There wasn't much snow but lots of wind at the lake for our hike.

New Year's was a quiet affair with only 10 of the family gathering to play games. Then we headed to the theatre to watch "Tintin". Ryan took the kids home to bed and I headed to a friend's to ring in the new year.

The snow finally fell this week. Ryan and the kids quickly made a snowman which is now a puddle.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all!

More Greta Quotes

We went to see "Arthur Christmas" last weekend. ( really funny!) All the actors have English accents. When the little girl began to speak, Greta turned to me and whispered, "mom, she's speaking spanish!"

Yesterday, I settled Greta into her car seat and hopped into the drivers seat. Greta promptly declared, " it smells like donkey feet in here. It's making my eyes burn!" (?) I didn't smell what she was smelling. Perhaps she didn't like the perfume I was wearing. :)

Ballet Recital

Greta just finished her first semester of ballet. Of course, she adores dancing. Her teacher is amazing! We were allowed to come in and watch their final class today. I took about 100 pictures and let the boys miss school to come and watch. Here is a little glimpse of what you missed. :)

This look of glee is almost constantly on her little face as she prances around giggling with the other little girls.

Toothless Trauma

Recently, as I went to pick the kids up at the school, I couldn't find Joseph.

Could he be in detention? No!

Could he be REALLY taking his time? Possibly!

Could he be hurt or sick? Definately!

Upon entering the school, I saw Joe walking out of the sick room with his teacher holding ice to his mouth. The poor guy had slipped on the snow and fallen against the metal of the slide and landed on his two front teeth! He thought he had lost his newly grown in adult teeth. But on further inspection he realized he had just chipped them. Thankfully, Daddy is a dentist. We rushed over to the office. Ryan smoothed the rough edges and made a treatment plan for veneers in the future. :)

For now, this is his smile. Note the butterfly effect of his front teeth.

Edwin lost another two of his baby teeth within days of each other. He has now entered the mangle mouth phase.

Spectacular at Seven

My little blonde toddler has turned 7!!!

If you recall from an earlier post we celebrated with friends back in October. For his actual birthday he had 18 family members over for a "seafood feast".

Here is Ryan ( who just had his 33rd birthday but was once again sick for it so we have no pictures of his party... or lack of) adding the finishing touches to Edwin's Tres Leches Cake.

Happy Birthday Super Ted! You are such a talented, kind hearted, smart, funny, generous, athletic, passionate, goodnatured,wonderful son! We love you!

Seattle 1/2 Sale

Ok, all my running or want to be running friends. You haven't missed out on signing up for the Seattle 1/2 next June. Still tons of time to train and if you sign up this Friday, Remembrance Day, Nov 11, 2011, you save $20. Let's do it!


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Thanksgiving and Halloween

I took the kids and 3 of their cousins to the pumpkin patch just before Thanksgiving. The kids had a blast! The weather was gorgeous, the field full of pumpkins of all sizes and what's better than playing with cousins. I began to regret my decision of bringing 6 kids all by myself when I had to haul their pumpkin of choice to the car. Of course the boys picked the BIGGEST and HEAVIEST pumpkin they could find as far away from the car as possible. My arms had a really great workout that day. :)

We had a big Thanksgiving dinner at our new house. It accommodated the crowd quite nicely.

My parents have been able to come up fairly often this fall. We spent an enjoyable afternoon at Davidson Orchards.

Impromptu barn dance. :)

My mom finally reach the height she has always imagined herself to be. :)

We went to a fun adult Halloween party at a friends house. It was so great. There was a fear factor eating challenge where I almost puked just watching. Prize goes to anyone who can guess who we are......

We went trick or treating right after work... here is Ryan brimming with enthusiasm at the night ahead.

Edwin the zombie....

Greta the witch with butterfly face....

Joseph the centurion...

The spoils....

The next day poor Edwin fell against the window seat. We jokingly told him his addition to his costume was a day late.