Christmas Day

We enjoyed Christmas dinner at the Schoyen's house this year.  It was really nice.  Everybody brought a few dishes and helped out where they could.  The children (mine) were wild.  Luckily there is now a playroom downstairs.  Matthew still resorted to hitting with a stick (time out, again), David threw up outside on the lawn and Clive didn't want to leave.  Aaahhh, good times.

This year has not been the easiest, but hopefully we've learned a few things.

Falling Behind

My intentions were good, but I have definitely fallen behind with this blog.  Clive has cleverly avoided my camera shots, but he was with us.  And I WILL get him!

  The last week before Christmas was quite enjoyable with my boys and little Chloe.

On Friday she showed up dressed similarly to her twin.  We walked to the beach and watched our fine weather disappear. 

Christmas Eve was a trip to the big city of Victoria.  We had a look at the Gingerbread House contest, the Bear Wears, and the Christmas Trees.

Just walking through these hotels was an adventure for the boys.  Numerous trips in the glass elevators never got boring.

Of course, we ran in to the Schoyen's and had a little visit until hunger pangs to them to a restaurant and us to the gardens of the Empress.  I packed a rather fabulous lunch which we enjoyed in the sunshine while the boys ran around the little pathways overjoyed at this new outing.

This was one of the bears dressed as Prince who recently performed here.  The person beside him is NOT a prince.

Bev looked fabulous as a professional should.  This picture doesn't do her justice, but she looked lovely.

I don't know if these hotel ducks were on strike, but they did not move.  At first they didn't look real.  Not one duck moved.  Ever.  Day of the Ducks?

Can't walk past a dog without a cuddle.  After this photo all the other kids wanted to find out what was so great about this statue.  I pulled Matthew to safety and we moved on.

The flower and the bee.  I could go on and on....

Look what came out of the tree!

I was trying to capture one of the many incredible views we get from this house.  I need to learn how to use my camera better.  Some days I can't believe how breathtaking the view is whether it be beautiful or mystical.

Gingerly Gingerbread

Winter holidays with glorious sun and warmth.  This is too good!

David is helping!  He just decided to help, no writhing on the floor, sales pitches or disappearing tricks, just helping to make dinner.

Bright Angel park had some brightness over the river, otherwise it's fairly dark.

Clive caught a couple of fish while the others found cool rocks to paint later.

Decorating the Gingerbread House.  Would've been more fun if not for Meltdown Matthew.  Boy was he in a bad mood!

Here he is caught with the sprinkles.  Shortly after he was in bed.  Christmas takes a toll on these kids, there is sooo much excitement.

The boys wrapped gifts for each other.  Clive decided to hang David's present.  I can't believe our tree is still standing for all it has put up with.

This little dancer has brought much joy and giggles to Matthew who lies under the tree and looks up at her "bum bum".

The finished product.  War torn gingerbread.

My little boys

My big boy playing with the computer with Forest.  Clive is still learning how to use the computer.  I thought it was very sweet that he took Forest to school on Friday for pyjama day.  Thankfully, he is still a little boy and oh so lovely!

Here is one of those rare times that Matthew is clean.

On our way in to town, we decided to stop for a play at Bright Angel Park.  Pretty fun, especially when we were the only ones there.

Are these trees big, or is Matthew tiny?

Nothing could be better than all three playing together happily.

It was actually quite warm, though Clive and David love to keep their hoods up.  They were all searching for treasure.

David found some excellent rocks which he brought home and painted.

This view of Matthew makes me want to eat him up.

We finished Christmas shopping, went home for lunch, then headed out for a bike ride to the beach.

David still won't ride down big hills, but he tries really hard.  I will take them to some flat locations and he will love it!

So happy to have finished the Christmas shopping.  Looking forward to a kid filled week!  I will have my three boys and one little girl who fits right in.  I'm planning some hikes, crafts and baking in between the general chores of the farm.  So far, this is the best Christmas yet.

Calgary

Needed to get this gingerbread glued together before the boys fly at it with candy.

Here I am being Martha Stewart.  Seven hundred pounds of icing later, the roof is on.  My homemade house is coming together.

We have been blessed with sunshine!

The boys can play outside until their fingers are numb.

Notice there are no coats here.  I wonder why you are so cold?  Apparently you can't jump on a trampoline wearing a coat.  I'm just the mum, what do I know?

Matthew helped to make these little Christmas trees from marshmallows that were older than I care to say.  We had fun....they disappeared.

I had a great trip to Calgary.  Fell in love with Gary. (see above)  He is aDORaBLE.

Spent Saturday morning at Heritage Park.  I loved this place as a child and still do.  I have never seen it in the winter though.

Shack bought candy.  The line up for the bakery was insane.

Beautiful sunshine, no wind, a perfect day!

The boys would have loved it here.

The next day was mum's 75th birthday party.  I forgot my camera, my speech, my boots, my head.  She said she really enjoyed it though and almost 40 friends showed up through a snowstorm.  I think it was a success.  What are the odds that all three children would do a great job?  I took the fall.

My brother Clive's dollhouse.

He built both of these.  You should see the GARAGE up the road.  It is the preface to the mansion soon to come.  Wow.  Stay tuned.

It was a whirlwind weekend, though I felt I had a break.  Could do with a break fairly regularly I think.  I was happy to know I was missed, though.  That makes everything seem worthwhile.

So, I'm back into the swing of things, with the help of my wwoofer.