New Years 2012

Happy New Years!

Our New Years Celebrations were held at home.  I find it so much easier to do this right now with young children.  Going out and being up all night and then in a terrible mood the next day isn't worth it to me. 

This year I was debating if I should sign up for the Resolution Run that takes place where I live.  It happens fairly early on New Years Day and would be a great way to bring in the New Year.....with a healthy focus.  But my plans changed when I realized that New Years Day would be on Sunday.  So maybe next year we can do it.  Spencer and I could have done it on our own but I really wasn't that motivated to go for a chilly run.....

So we had fondue for our dinner; we tried a Chinese broth fondue which was nice.  We found out that the missionaries in our ward didn't have a place to go, so we last minute invited them over, which worked out pretty good, but they had to be back in their apartment by 6pm.  We didn't start eating until 5pm.  So it was a quick dinner with them.  Then we sent them on their way with a few games that they were able to play. 

I bought some of those Christmas Crackers for 50% off.  That was such a good deal.  We'll definately keep that tradition.  The kids had a blast and were bugging me all day....once they knew what they were, if they could open them.  They had to wait until dinner.  Megan was also eager to break into our Sparkling Apple Cider. 

Our only constraint for the night was one fondue pot for 7 people and we each only had one fondue fork to use.  Next year at least two pots and a few forks each.  I'll also make more side items to eat as I feel the only good thing to really fondue/cook is thinly sliced meats.  We tried to fondue vegetables but it just wasn't the same.  Anyway after the missionaries left and the kids were done.......

Spencer and I sat around and polished off the rest of the meats!  By this time we stole our kids forks and Spencer was even using a regular fork to get the job done!

The rest of the night consisted of watching some tv, playing wii, playing with those punching balloons, and we cracked a bunch of glow sticks and went outside for a brief sparkler display. 



My boys were tired at the regular bedtime and I was only too happy to put Aaron to sleep, I stayed up until 10pm and then wished everyone else a Happy New Year and went to bed.  Spencer soon followed.  Megan and Evan tried their very hardest to stay awake...but spencer ended up taking Evan to bed when he went to bed.  Megan wanted to stay up until midnight and we said that she could, but that right after she needed to go to bed.  She was trying to celebrate the new years with her character on the Wii game Animal Crossing...hoping to get some special new years prizes. 

Well I ended up waking up at 3am with the hall light on, so I went to check on everyone...boys sleeping in their room, check....Spencer beside me, check.....Megan, room light was on but no Megan.  So downstairs I went and there I found her asleep on the couch huddled under a thin couch blanket that we have.  I woke her up and helped her up to her room.  She cried the whole way -- she had actually fell asleep before midnight and missed out on her Animal Crossing celebration.  She tried travelling back in time to retrive her prize but that didn't work.  Poor girl.  She tried so hard, but it just didn't work out.  Maybe next year she'll have parents to support her in her quest to stay up all night. 

Cheers to 2012!



Christmas Celebrations!

Our Christmas was really good.  We enjoyed each others company, the activities, food, weather and of course opening presents on Christmas Day. 
Since Christmas Eve was on Saturday, we did have a few momements in the morning to clean and tidy up a bit for the big day.  The children spent some time playing the Wii then with such nice weather and the ponds outside finally frozen and safe to be on Spencer hauled us all out to do some ice skating.  This was a first for this winter season.  The ice surface was a bit rough but we managed and skated for about 45 minutes.  We brought along a folding chair for the children to push around and then after that we pulled them around in our sled.  Megan got the hang of it again, Evan struggled a bit more and Aaron was doing great since he has 4 bladed skates that strap to his boots.  This will definately have to be a monthly activity for us so we can continue to hone each of our skills.  Megan's word to the wise....remember to wear long socks; that go up past the skate boot; for a more comfortable time. 

It was so nice out that eventually I had to take off my winter coat and Evan's scarf that I'm wearing for him....but not the toque...once a toque goes on my head it can't come off #1  I like it, #2 it keeps my head warm and #3 my hair always look terrible!

We headed home and I hid the pickle on the tree.  Then sent the children back into the livingroom to see if they could find the pickle and thus be the one to open the pickle gift.  It was Evan's lucky year!  He spotted it fairly quickly and proceeded to open the gift for the family......Kung Fu Panda 2.   So we settled down and watched that later in the afternoon. 

We then had our dinner of cheese, crackers, sauages and some mexican type appetizers that I heated in the oven along with some sushi.  As I was putting everything on the table I realized that it was kinda a mix of everything and it really didn't go to well together.  We've had similar food in the past but it doesn't really suit my family's tastes.  So next year we will have to try something else. 


We then played some games; I read the Christmas Orange Story and we shared a chocolate orange then Spencer read the Christmas story as the kids put up my flannel board figures.  It went over ok.  We are also still tweeking our Christmas Eve traditions.  They all had showers/baths and  jumped into their first present of some new jammies.

I had fun picking out these PJ's for everyone.  I think that they look great.  Aaron especially loved his buzz light year ones, Evan is good with his woody ones as long as I don't say stuff like..."ride 'em cowboy or Hi there my names woody or look...there's a snake in my boot!"  he really doesn't like that I enjoy his fun PJ's that much.  Megan was in need of new PJ's and was a good sport to agree to wear some Jessie PJ's.  I only wish that they had Jessie PJ's that actually looked like Jessie's outfit like the other ones do but I'm pretty sure that no 9 year old girl would be too into that!

Next it was off to bed with them.  Spencer and I took a moment to sit down and watch some TV before doing our thing. 

Since Christmas Day was on Sunday this year we told the children that they could open up thier stockings and enjoy them before getting ready for church.  So that is what we did. 

Here is Megan going through some of her stocking.  We put in a few smaller gifts for them to open. 

Every  year we write letters to each other about something that we remember about them and their accomplishments or something we appreciate about each other, then we go through and read them out loud.  It is a lovely tradition and you can never be told too much about how much your appreciated.  Then we had to have a quick breakfast and get dressed and out the door to our sacrament meeting.  Our numbers were few since so many in our ward go away to visit other family members at the holidays.  We had our bishopric speak and a few musical numbers and some singing by everyone else too.  I was glad for the focus that attending church on Christmas Day brought to our Christmas celebrations.  

We quickly drove home to open our presents.  We try and do it in an orderly manner....we all enjoyed some really good gifts and some really useful ones too. The children said that they had a really good Christmas.  It think they enjoyed everything they got and all the experiences that we shared in this season. 

 

Here is Spencer with a runner's ID tag that he can attach to his shoe....since he runs alone early in the morning.   This makes me feel better about him being by himself. 

More tools for our handy man.  Hopefully there will be enough to share with my other handy mans'.

These are my babies....oh how I love, love, love to wear slippers around the house.  Especially in the winter time. 

After we opened presents and before our little Christmas dinner, we had some dear friends stop by to help celebrate with us.  We had a few more treats and some hot Christmasy drinks.  More gifts to open and friendships renewed.

Then I proceeded to make our christmas dinner, we had a large chicken (I didn't want all the time and prep of cooking a turkey, I already had my turkey fill at thanksgiving), mashed sweet potatoes with turnips, buns, salad, Savoy cabbage with sage butter and of course cranberry sauce.  It tasted delicious!  The perfect way to end off a perfect day. 

Holiday Happenings...

I feel like I finally have time to write about what we have been up to in December.  Of course we've been as busy as usual....but with a holiday twist to everything this month.

I am referring to my calendar that I keep on my fridge that helps to keep me organized for the most part; as this month has flown....most days I could hardly remember if I was coming or going....

1.  We watched to the First Presidency's Christmas devotional.  We got it hooked up and were able to view it downstairs on our TV as opposed to having to squish around our computer monitor.  New technology is fabulous isn't it?  The messages were really enjoyable and the music wonderful.  This is always a great way to start our Christmas season.

2.  The first of the month included a field trip with Megan and her school choir.  They sang at Service Canada and then at City Hall.  It was a good time and they did really well considering that their pianist fell ill at the last moment and they had to sing acappella and karioke for all their songs.

They even got their picture taken and put up on the Edmonont Journal website...they were all wearing black pants/white shirts and santa hats. 

3.  I had our RS Christmas Party.  Appetizers and desserts with a short program about how sisters in our ward help to bring Christ into Christmas.  Then our Bishop spoke about how to live a more Christ Centered life.  It is always nice to get together and be able to chat with the sisters in our ward.  We get to visit and talk with each other in ways that we don't get to on Sundays.  It was a bit stressful getting everything organized, since my committee was mostly released then new ones called....that sort of thing always happens during a busy time.

4.  Spencer had his work party.  New clothes, good food, good visiting with others at our table, we won a prize, danced a little and got our picture taken. 

 5.  Spencer sang in his sisters ward christmas fireside along with his parents.  It was a nice evening but made for a long Sunday.  Aaron fell asleep on the ride over and remained asleep on the bench for pretty much the whole program.  Evan and Megan were starting to struggle by the end of the evening.  It sure is hard to keep children quite when they need to be after having to be reverent at church.  I wanted to bring them as part of this experience of seeing thier grandma and grandpa sing together along with their dad.  Hopefully we are building precious memories of thier family/extended family.

6.  I brought Aaron along to help out Evan's kindergarden class make gingerbread houses.  The parents donated the candy and the actually decorated empty clean milk cartons.  A perfect idea for young children to be able to do it by themselves mostly.  We had fun being with Evan.  I was feeling bad for Aaron since he had been coming with me on my various errands all month so I took him to Millenium place in Sherwood Park and we played at the indoor playground and he got McDonald's to eat for lunch.  He is such a trooper. 

7.  We visited the lights at the Legislature along with the choirs and some free hot chocolate.  The weather has been pretty nice to be able to go outside and enjoy that sort of thing. 

8.  We enjoyed our ward christmas party the following weekend.  A nice program with various musical talent from our ward.  Santa was there for the children to visit with desserts were served and a fun family dance followed.  A really wonderful christmas party. 

9.  Megan participated in her first piano recital.  It was a great experience.  She was nervous but had her song memorized.  She played a duet with her teacher,  so she wouldn't have to be alone at the piano.  It turned out really good.  She played Joy to the World. 

10.  We had the missionaries and a less active sister over for dinner.

11.  Grandma and Grandpa came over for dinner and to make a gingerbread house with the children.  Spencer joined in the fun.  He really enjoys decorating a gingerbread house it must be from his childhood and all the ones that he has done previously. We once again had a nice visit.  (I almost for got all the family dinners/get togethers that we've had since Grandma/pa are in town).  They are waiting for my signal so they can devour the gingerbread house.  That might not come as soon as they would like, since they are already filling up on sweets.  But I guess that is part of the joy of the season. 

12.  Megan and Evan's school Christmas concert.  Megan had a small speaking part this year that she enjoyed doing.  She did a good job with all the songs and her acting.  Evan was part of the "rock 'n roll snowman" song.  He was singing and strumming his guitar.  I went to the dress rehersal and then to the concert that night.  I was helping the Parent Advisory Council by sitting at the snack program donation table.  Megan was rudolf, she's on the left.

13.  Today was the last day of school!  They got to wear PJ's to school and have parties.  A pretty relaxed day.  I'm looking forward to relaxing at home, visiting with family, hanging out and not having to get Spencer and the children off to work and school each day.  Our schedules just cleared up.....until January 9, 2012 when the routine will start again.

Christmas Eve we'll be ice skating, watching a movie, reading the nativity, eating finger foods/appetizers, singing some carols, playing games and just hanging out.  Our pickle prize will also be awarded to the one who can find the pickle ornament on our tree.  The prize is for the whole family but part of the fun is finding the tricky pickle and being able to open a present before Christmas day.  They will also be sleeping in style in some new PJ's that they can open before bed. 

Merry Christmas!

Super Saturday

Yes our ward had a super saturday....according to our interpretation of what the handbook says, this totally fits along with the homemaking skills that help us beautify our homes and it is usually a pretty good turn out in our ward. 

That being said we didn't have quite the numbers that we were expecting so we altered it a bit.  We started at 9am and went until noon.  We listened to christmas music and had hot chocolate and apple cider and cookies to munch on.  Some people even came just to visit and others to work on projects that they have been meaning to finish.  It turned out really nice.  Here are some of the projects that I completed.

 Here is some christmas Sub-way art.  I found this sparkly red paper at Michaels.  I love it!  It really gives it a christmasy feel. 

Here are some hymn titles on tile.  This will go in a nice stand/holder on the floor by our piano.

Finally I added another letter "O" to my collection.  I mod-podged some pretty paper on to a wooden letter that I painted.  I think that I need to collect some more "O's" and do a collage on my wall.  That would be fun. 

I enjoy doing crafts, but I never usually have the time to sit and plan them  and do them.  So having this activity was a good way for me to get in craft gear and do a little something.

My Little Minions

So if anyone uses a calendar like me you may have noticed that last Sunday was Child's Day....although I told my kids that in this country everyday is Child's Day...since their lives are pretty good.  They didn't quite go for that.....

So a while back I found this cute recipe on another blog and have just been waiting for the appropriate time to use it.  That and I'll find any excuse to celebrate something....so Child's Day it was....

Look at the cute cupcakes.  The kids had fun helping to make them and they especially enjoyed eating them.  

I'm so grateful for my little minions.  They keep me hopping and keep my refereeing, doctoring, cooking, cleaning, book reading, listening, playing, and hugging skills current. 

Christmas Tree light up 2011

Megan told us that she would like to go see them light up the city tree this year.  Since we missed last year we went this year.  Unfortunately I forgot the camera so we didn't capture any photos of us freezing outside. 

There was a little stage set up with singers, Santa was also there and some other media people.  It actually took us awhile to notice where the tree was set up.  I kept asking Spencer where is the tree?  At first I thought that they might be going more "green" and not chopping down a tree but finally it caught my eye.  It actually looked kinda spindly but it is 70 feet tall with over 10,000 lights.  So once they flipped the switch it looked really nice.  Then immediately afterwards there were fireworks that we enjoyed and then we promptly walked into city centre mall to warm up and start to head to the van. 

Did I mention that it was -27 degrees out! Ya, we might be a little nuts.  But this is the official start to our Christmas celebrations....

Cowboy Day

This is as good as it gets in our house when the children are celebrating the Canadian Finals Rodeo.  They got to dress up in western wear for the last part of the school day on Wednesday a couple of weeks ago. 

YeeHaw!