December 10

It has become a tradition, three years and counting, to go to Macy’s in the city and see the display there and visit Santa. This is our third year doing so and the first where Echo really stopped and took everything in… AND sat with Santa WILLINGLY.

As always, we dressed in our best and the kids took pictures in front of the tree. The girls were so pleased to have the opportunity to wear this year’s Christmas dresses for the first time. Last year they wore matching, this year Trinity opted to wear one of her “big girl” dresses and Echo enjoyed shopping around, finally settling on one of the Sam’s Club dresses we saw while out grocery shopping.

So grown up. Thank to Grandma Anna for the dress! Last of the ones we brought with us when we moved!

She especially loved the little sweater over top!

Emanuel

Zander

And Gavin!

The display was much the same as last year but we noticed a few things we hadn’t noticed before… sleeping and hiding cats… Rudolph’s nose glowing behind a stable door… Echo ran back and forth looking at everything.

With Mrs. Claus

In order of age.

After the display it was a relatively short wait to get in to see Santa. I was amazed that Echo was more than willing to sit in his lap. The kids were VERY clear about what they wanted and it was smiles all round.

Our camera

The official photo we chose.

After Santa was done we went into his gift shop to write a little personal note to Santa.

And then the other yearly tradition – lunch at Culver’s!

FROZEN CUSTARD

This is also the second year in a row that Baba was working but we had a blast, our 7 and Nana. Now enjoy the extra photos!

They are growing up so quickly!

Trinity is in love with taking pics with her mom… for now.

The littles.

Zander and Echo

Zander and Gavin

Daddy and his boys.

September 26-30

I absolutely admit to being a garage sale lover. We found a game AND a recorder book… which only makes sense when you realize I bought recorders this summer and intent to start music next year!

We also found an early deal on snowpants at Sam’s Club! 15.00 for 60.00 children’s snowpants. THANK YOU! At the time only Emanuel was with us so we snapped them up for him. I should say, was the only kid with us that needs them. Once I find the winter coat bucket the girls are only down boots. Of course with all the sorting of things I am unclear WHERE that bucket is (fingers crossed the weather holds until I find it!).

We are still totally missing the sidewalk we always had wherever we lived in Alberta… road safety has become paramount as has Mommy’s obsession with watching how fast people drive down our street and at what times. We don’t do too badly but it seems some evenings the speeders come out to play.

On Saturday we had our numbers swelled to 9 kids! Jeffrey and Evan with big brother Nathan joined us for half the day or so while mommy was away at quilting class and daddy out hunting. The kids love having them over. Echo and Evan are best friends and the twins and Nathan are always off playing leaving the rest of us to enjoy wee Jeffrey.

Sunday was Sunday school and probably one of our last chances for shorts and pretty jackets. Where has the season gone??

We set the kids to work prepping our garden fresh carrots as well. I love how our canning and freezing have become a family activity.

Our big excitement for Monday was a visit over at Aunty Judy’s and Uncle Jim’s… or as the kids call it – Robbie’s house! Any excuse is a good one for a visit and this time our visit was based on Emanuel selling his wreaths for Scouts. He has done quite well doing so. So many lovely friends and family willing to help us out with our first real experience with fund raising.

Add in school and such to our week and that is the end of September! Our October is shaping up to be a month of Halloween learning. Lapbooks, stories and crafting I plan. So be sure to check up while I recount that… hopefully in a more TIMELY manner!!! I simply MUST get the blog up to date!

After the VBS half day…

July 14-17

We had so much fun at our church’s VBS that our afternoons were not overly busy.. a few runs to Sam’s club… the odd errand. Miss Echo, especially wanted to do her Gammie mail and practice her colouring, tracing and other fine motor skills.  I really wanted to share the beautiful handwriting I see on so many of my packages and letters from Gammie herself. I love seeing my name in cursive!  Thursday evening we packed up the kids to go and cheer on another of our favourite soccer players – AIDAN! He plays on the same team as a few of Emanuel’s other scout buddies so it was fun to run into the other parents and say hi.

Aidan played a good game and the kids ran off with Alex and played at the park so we managed to see all the action. They don’t play for score but for the experience. It was fun to sit and enjoy another game with Darcy. She is one busy lady this summer! And with that… enjoy the action shots!!!

Alex helping out in goal before the game for practice kicks