12.29.2012

Merry Christmas

We had a really lovely Christmas. Grandma and Grandpa came out on Christmas Eve for our finger foods/picnic, and stayed overnight and through Christmas Day for presents, a great breakfast, and Christmas Dinner that night.

Just a small glimpse into our Christmas...
Opening one present for Christmas Eve

Christmas pj's and a book!
They were all so excited about their new books, we had total silence in the house for a good half hour while they read! Whoa!
the tree after Santa visited - and Grandma and Grandpa too!

Opening gifts!
Josh found a 'jaw harp' for Isaac - he's really wanted one since we saw Fred Penner!

Levi had a box of 'angry birds' stuff

Including a new touque!

Daddy and Levi both got new hats! (Zech and Isaac did, too... but I haven't got a photo of those yet, I guess!)

Santa brought Ruthie a 'Maplelea' doll - looks just like Ruth! "Taryn" helped Ruthie open all her gifts (need to get a better photo of them, too!)

12.24.2012

On Sunday the 16th the older kids sang a few songs at church - we don't have a "real" Christmas Concert at church, but this was a nice surprise for everyone!
(Isaac in front row, Zech behind him, Ruth back row)
"It's Christmas"


"We Wish You a Merry Christmas"

Christmas Eve!!!

The kids are very excited today - only one more sleep! We've got a lazy day planned, sitting around playing and watching Christmas shows. Tonight we'll have lots of "finger foods", and we'll picnic in the living room! The hardest part is waiting for the yummy foods and treats!

We have had a very busy week leading up to break:
(not this week, but just levi - always blurry - he never stays still!)
The Saturday before last the kids stayed with Grandma and Grandpa while we did a big grocery shopping trip. They had more fun than us - they went skating at the oval in town!
Isaac & Levi

Zech & Levi

Zech

Levi

Isaac

Gwumpa (Grandpa) & Levi building a fire
Tuesday was the first day for skating lessons in town, and we had to work the canteen. Josh had an appt in town and Zech had karate, so they went there - but that left me working the canteen alone and still having to watch Levi, Ruth, and Isaac at the rink!
Wednesday evening was the colony concert. We were all invited to join Josh there, and Josh played his guitar for 2 songs with the choir.
Thursday was our concert here in town - the kids did great! They all knew all their lines and words to songs, and just did a great job. Among everything else they did, Ruth had wanted a choir this year and the music teacher agreed to lead one if someone organized it. So, Ruthie made a sign-up list and organized practices. Though a lot of kids signed up, when they realized they would have to practise at lunchtime once a week a lot dropped out... leaving only Ruth and one other boy! Then the music teacher was sick and missed a bunch of days in the last couple weeks of school, and they weren't sure they'd be able to sing at all at the concert. But they showed the principal they were ready, practising even with the teacher not there, and so they were allowed to sing their 2 songs! They did a wonderful job - and I've heard that Ruthie may be asked to sing "Oh Canada" at the Ice Show (for skating) this year!
Then Friday was, of course, the last day of school and thus everyone's Christmas parties! They all had a good day, lots of fun with their friends and classmates. Friday evening we had been invited to our friend's work party, so Grandma and Grandpa came to stay with the kids and we were able to go for a lovely dinner and dessert buffet, and watch a magic show! Nice to have a night out, just us!
Saturday we worked the rink canteen again for public skating in the afternoon, and Isaac lost his first tooth!


and "take a picture of me too Mom!"


oh. and then Levi got my camera. again.

Sunday was church and a few errands.
Now we're home... and not going anywhere for at least a few days!

(There are MANY videos to come from the concerts! I'll post those in another one, though!)

12.14.2012

oldies

It's busy around here with Christmas shopping and getting ready for concerts and parties! I've got no new pictures to share, but here are some old ones that were on my camera, but never made it on the computer until now!
August - Mommy & Levi on the beach




What happens when the 2 year old gets hold of mommy's camera!
Zech

Levi

the downstairs bathroom??

Isaac


Snuggles with Daddy


Levi models Daddy's shirt


Levi blowing up balloons for Grandma's birthday


a certain 2 year old in Sissy's make-up!



Isaac picks the most interesting sitting spots to tie his shoes!

And now we're all caught up!

12.04.2012

it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

After all the birthday and halloween busy-ness, we're finally able to relax a bit and start getting things ready for Christmas!
Before we got into that, though, Josh and I had a weekend in the city a couple weeks ago, a late anniversary gift for us. Grandma and Grandpa came to our house and stayed with the kids, we went to the city for some shopping (I guess it was partly getting ready for Christmas after all!) and spent the night in a hotel - in a room with no bunk beds!

Last weekend on Friday and Saturday we were in our church's "Bethlehem Live". It's a lot of fun to be a part of, and always draws a great crowd - this year we had over 1,000 people come through! Thanks to Grandma and Grandpa, Levi didn't have to put up with all the shows, and Zech was able to attend a special karate session over the weekend as well. We were all there on Friday night, though, and I remembered to get a photo of the kids all dressed up!
Bethlehem Live 2012


2010
The kids all did great for the shows they were in, and Levi had a good day with Grandma and Grandpa on Saturday!

I snapped this photo yesterday of a flock in our yard - hen pheasants?

We got our Christmas tree on Sunday - a real one this year! Yesterday Josh and I got it brought in and put up while the kids were at school. It wasn't quite opened enough last night for decorating, but tonight it was! The kids had a great time trimming the tree!
Now we just need to get some Christmas photos done of the kids - wish us luck with that!

And - we're all very excited - tomorrow we're going to Josh's colony school to see Fred Penner!!! The kids have no idea who he is, but Josh and I certainly do!

11.11.2012

Ruth's Birthday - and some snow!

Ruth's 10th birthday was on Friday!
Since it wasn't a school night she was able to have 3 friends over actually on her birthday, for a sleepover! They came over late in the afternoon, we made our own subs for supper, had presents and cake, the girls made their own face masks (banana + honey), I painted everyone's nails (fancy "french tips" and stickers!), and we had a movie night (watched "Mirror, Mirror).
I think everyone had fun, and Ruthie was happy about it. It did make for a late night (Levi was in bed around 10pm, the boys went to bed after the movie at 11pm, and the girls, Josh said, stayed up until between 1 and 2am!), but it was worth it. And in the morning, we had homemade waffles with fruit and whipped cream - yummy!


Levi was very excited to give Sissy his present - he couldn't sit still!



Ruthie asked for a black forest cake for her birthday cake this year - the same as I'd made Josh the week before!

They were calling for a big snowstorm to hit us Friday afternoon, but nothing started here until after 9pm. Once it started, though, it made a mess - snow through the night Friday, some freezing rain Saturday afternoon, and more snow overnight last night.
We haven't been out of the yard since Friday, and weren't able to make it out for church this morning. Josh and the kids got outside to get the driveway shovelled after lunch today.

Levi helped shovel the front steps (taken through the screen door)


and he got a ride in the big scoop, too!



"Hi Mom!"

I love the snow - so pretty - but I sure am glad I'm not the one who has to shovel us out!