Happy New Year!

Season's Greetings and hello!

It seems like December came and went in a blur. We have been slowly recovering from a very busy month and enjoyed Christmas 2005 immensely. There is something about experiencing the holidays through the eyes of a three year old and an 18 month old!

Since it was our year to host the Klassen family Christmas, we enjoyed a holiday of no travel. Sort of a relief to not have to lug around gifts, two tired kids and a belly that just won't stop moving and growing! Joel's family arrived on the 23rd, just in time to celebrate his birthday. We all had a fun time over the three days they were here and I think that Naomi and Lilah really enjoyed the time spent with their cousins (Lacey and Mackenzie), grandparents and Papa. Naomi's favorite gifts were a very large stuffed horse, a bunch of little horses, a dollhouse and a flashlight that looks like a tiger and growls when you push the button. This is the first year that she really gets the whole Christmas idea (Santa, baby Jesus and all) and it's a lot of fun to experience it through her eyes. Lilah's favorites were her tickle trunk and a boat from Discovery Toys that has 4 balls you hammer on. You should have seen her eyes light up when she opened that -- finally the kid has something to smash. We've been battling with her over the fact that when she's annoyed or angry all she does is look for something to pick up and hurl. :0

I had such a sentimental moment on Christmas morning thinking about the blessings that have connected us all as a family. I am so fortunate to be the one who hears Naomi and Lilah excitedly chattering away, watches them dancing and singing, and experiences their complete joy. I can't imagine a bigger gift!

On the 28th, we enjoyed catching up with my mom & John, my sister's family and my brother (who has recently returned from the Phillipines and is anxiously awaiting the arrival of his wife, baby Maui and Venrique sometime in the next year). The kids had a blast together and we enjoyed hearing about Bryan's trip. Naomi was particularily smitten with her new cousin, Lauren.

The 29th brought about Naomi's third birthday and Lilah's halfway day (18months). We celebrated by heading to the bowling alley, where it took nearly 2 hours to bowl one game with two lanes of 4 little kids! I was suprised at how well Lilah can toss a bowling ball around. We then headed to Naomi's favorite restaurant for lunch, old "McDonalds". Our friends Gavin and Sara joined us in the evening for a Spagetti dinner and chocolate birthday cake (decorated with a happy face and Heffalumps). Naomi was so delighted to have a special day all of her own!

Not much else new, except I am starting to get uncomfortably big and am suffering from insomnia (which is torture for a gal who loves her sleep). Myles is a busy boy so far. My bladder seems to have become a trampoline and my ribs a catch-net. I think he's preparing to keep up to his sister's! Now that my belly is much more pronounced, Naomi enjoys lifting my shirt and feeling for Myles. She LOVES singing and talking to him, and will ask if he's asleep or awake. Lilah is catching on, except that she's in for a rude awakening when she realizes that the freckle on my tummy isn't the actual baby! She lifts my shirt, points to the it, smiles and shouts "mydes mydes mydes"! ;)

Well I should sign off for now. Hope you all have enjoyed a holiday season full of family, friends and good times! Wishing you all the best for 2006!