Thursday, January 22, 2009

Whoopee!


This is our idea of winter paradise! These photos were taken mid-January, after 2 days of snow dumping on us.





Seems that we've hit the jackpot this year as far as winter weather goes! Snow is piled as high as the hot tub on our back deck. The snowbanks at the end of our driveway are as tall as I remember them seeming to be when I was a kid (10 ft at least - no need to travel to a tobogganning hill, we've got one right here). The rink is FANTABULOUS (thanks to Daddy's dedication and hard work) and the kids are skating nearly every day. I LOVE WINTER! Whooooohooooo!



Ok, I'll admit that it's been a little colder than I'd like and I'd appreciate the seeing the sun a bit more frequently - but what the heck - it's winter and it's Canada and at least there's snow to play in.




I'm including lots of pictures of the kids enjoying our winter wonderland! Some of them include a visit from Papa, Uncle Bry, Aunt V, Vennie and the Mighty M.








































Friday, January 09, 2009

Holidays and birthdays

Whew, it's Friday of the first week back to school. We made it through the first week after the holidays and we're heading back to a more regular routine. I say that with tongue in cheek because a part of me is longing for an organized, scheduled, familiar routine. But another part of me has really enjoyed this holiday season. Nothing makes Christmas better than seeing the wonder of it all in the faces of kids!




We've enjoyed the opportunity this year to relax a bit. The King got our outdoor rink up and running just before Christmas, only to have it melt again over the holidays and then refreeze in time for New Year's Eve. I think this is the first year that we've been successful this early. We've all been having lots of fun on it and the kids skating is really coming along. Baby Blue Eyes has decided that he's a hockey pro now and doesn't need a skate buddy. Froggie Princess is skating well and on her own for the most part. Dino Princess is going so fast, someone needs to teach the kid how to stop!






Not only did we celebrate the birth of Jesus, but also the birth of the King (I'm not getting biblical here - just referring to the big bald "kid" who lives here) and his Dino Princess. While the King's birthday was a quiet one, we did manage to throw together a Rudolf cake (where the kids got that idea I don't know, but they had been talking about it for weeks). And if you really want to know how much of a kid he is, zoom in on the cake!



And while the King celebrated quietly, Dino Princess's SIXTH birthday was a full blown animal party. She and her groupies all enjoyed the company of some furry, some slimey and some downright scaley friends. And I have to admit that it was the most sane kid's party we've ever hosted (well up until the last 15 minutes). If you're from around here and looking for a birthday party idea, I will give a glowing recommendation to Elise over at Travelling Critters. She really knows how to put animals and kids together so that everyone has fun. I'm sure that the pictures will tell the entire story!








So as we now firmly plant our feet into 2009, we are looking forward a new year full of love, laughter and good friends!

Hope you will join us. ;)