Merry Christmas 2008

Here is a Christmas time family photo.  It would have been our Christmas card shot, but I thought the one of the kids was cuter.  We copied this one for some people who have not seen us in a while and do not check out the blog.

Here is the Christmas card shot.  It was hard to get a photo of Emily without her thumb in her mouth.  The colors on the originals are nicer than with the mass copy.

Here is Andrew enjoying a cookie he decorated at Once Upon Christmas at Heritage Park.  

Swinging Santa at Heritage Park.  This was at the end of November, before we had much  snow.

The kids always love playing on the fort made of hay.

Here comes Andrew.

The little maze was Emily's favorite.

Here is Emily dressed as an elf for her music Christmas concert.  We sang Jingle Baby Jingle.  Emily is pretty shy and reserved in class, but really shone at the concert.

We went to a  Health Region party at the Zoo.  We took in ZooLights, had dinner and a visit from Santa.  Matthew was a bit apprehensive, but hung in to get a truck to build.  

Andrew told Santa what he wanted, and was lucky to receive a truck that night. 

Here is Emily after being traumatized by sitting on Santa's knee.  She was screaming and arching, unfortunately Bruce didn't capture it.  She soon recovered after opening her piggy flashlight that she was thrilled with.

Matthew built a pretty big faux snow fort, before kicking it all down.

Here is Andrew enjoying snacks at his much anticipated preschool Winter Celebration.

We have been having fun making gingerbread people and candy houses.  Who says you can't do it in your Halloween costume?

Andrew is putting on ample icing.

Emily was really quiet the other night, and then came out of my room after putting my makeup all over herself.  I hope she gets better at applying it closer to her teen years! 

Here is Santa Emily.  Her cheeks are red from mommy scrubbing off the makeup, not the cold at the North Pole. 

Nov and Dec Adventures

Here is Emily eating a Cinnamon bun from the Ladybug Bakery at the Farmer's Market.  It covered her whole face when she brought it up to take a bite. 

The Science Centre is a favorite place to hang out. Matthew and Bruce had gone skiing,  leaving us to find our own fun.  Here Andrew is planning how to build a dam in the river.

Emily likes scooping and pouring. 

Here is an ant big enough for both to ride.

Emily was willing to load bricks for Andrew at the wheel.  

They always rush for a turn in the little pretend store.  Emily was cute taking each item out of her basket and banging it on the "self scan" pad, once or sometimes twice.  She has been with mommy many times to Superstore, and knows all about this, including what to do it it does not read the first time.  

Emily was pleased to get a long turn on the plasma cars, though at her age could not get the hang of not using her feet.

Strong Andrew is pulling himself up with the rope.

Emily looks like quite a lady with her pearls that she would not part with.  

Halloween 2008

This year Andrew went as a very sweet looking pirate, not too fierce at all. 

Matthew was a little more sinister as a Ninja, posing here with a schoolmate dressed as the Grim Reaper.
Emily was a penguin, and boy did she get into the Halloween thing in a hurry.  She has always loved a costume.  We could barely catch her racing up driveway after driveway, and she lugged a heavy candy bag with her.  

Penguin Close-up.
Here she is at music class with all the others in their costumes.  

We are all set to get out Trick or Treating.

Emily holding her loot, while Matthew has some of his spread out on the floor.  He counted something like 130 treats.  He still has a full bag, even after we have removed all the peanut/nut things.

This pirate is pleased with his treasure!

Eight is Great!

Matthew was lucky to have a Family October Birthday party in conjunction with Thanksgiving, cupcakes just with us on his actual birthday, and a kids party the weekend before his birthday.  

He has been really interested in magic this past while, so we decided to do a magic theme.  He got right into the part.  We had fun making bunny cupcakes, and had little construction paper black hats for them to pop out of.  

Andrew is now really into doing magic tricks too and is saying he wants a magic theme for his next birthday!

All the boys had a chance to be assistants for some of the tricks.  Here is Matthew helping out.  

The white bird appearing out of a balloon was a real hit. 

Happy Birthday to our now 8 year old boy!

The finale was the rabbit in a hat pinata, followed by a soccer game.  We were lucky to be able to get outside with the mild fall we have been having.  

Hockey, Hockey, Hockey

I guess hockey is really part of our culture when I look through at the latest pics of the kids.  

Emily is getting into the fun with Matthew's goalie mask and ministick.  

Matthew has been enjoying a 12 week hockey program run by the City.  

Andrew is starting to join in on the street hockey games. 

Here is Matthew getting ready to play.  He has the white helmet, red jersey and is facing the camera.  It does remind one of the story in "The Hockey Sweater", except the sweater to have in this town is the red Flames jersey.  

Emily turns 2!

Well our Emily turned 2 at the start of October.  We didn't have to think too long and hard to decide what kind of party she would like.  She is a Curious George fanatic through and through, so a Monkey theme it was.   

We had the party in the Kinderroom at the nearby leisure Centre.  It has an indoor playground climber/play area, attached to a kitchen and bathroom.  Everything a bunch of young children need for fun.  Here we are pushing up a cart filled with all the party supplies. 

The monkey cupcakes were a hit with the kids.

Emily was pleased with all the party snacks.

She blew out the candles, with a little help from her friends.  

Fun at the start of the playground climber.

Lucky Emily also took part in a family October birthday party in conjunction with Thanksgiving.  Andrew feeling a bit left out being the only spring birthday, was ready and willing to help her open presents.