His, Mine and Ours...

We opened gifts with our own little family on the 23rd and it proved to be a fun afternoon! Kelsey and Connor lovingly saved up their paper route money and bought everyone, including eachother, a gift. It was so cute to see the anticipation in their eyes...will they like the gift I bought?? They both voiced later that day that it really did feel good to GIVE (especially when you've earned the $$ yourself). Amen to that.

Why you should NEVER let a 2 Litre of COKE fall on your toe...YIKES...poor Mags!

On Christmas Eve we got together with Dad, Kevin & Carole, Ashleigh, Jaden, Nicole & Wade and yours truly for an evening of food, games etc.

On Christmas Day went to church, watched the kids Sunday School Program and then my entire side of the family, plus the Cross family, were treated to a gourmet Turkey/Strip Loin Feast prepared by Wade (the Take Home Chef as I call him) It was absolutely delicious Wade (pictured below). He topped the dinner off with Creme Brulle and Cocoa Truffles...anyone want to follow his dinner...Easter??

Ready for church Christmas Day...camera was fogged up :(

Mags and Trent were the Little Drummer Boy(s) for the Sunday School Program. On Boxing Day we headed to Gary and Brenda's for Bri's family Christmas...another nice gathering...thanks for the hospitality and fun day!

Oma and Opa with Matthew and Connor

Kelsey and Courtney with matching hats

Jordan, Brandon, Trevor and Mark all growing up fast!

Aunt Ev, Oma - elated with the puzzles, and Courtney

Auntie Brenda doling out the gifts

The host Uncle Gary

Scrabble Rivals...a tradition

Ornament making

FAMILY CHRISTMAS!!

What an enjoyable evening everyone!! This year we shelved the traditional turkey dinner and went back to potluck (Uncle Nick willingly cooked a turkey for us - which was delicious) and boy was it good...I think everyone would agree! Santa made an appearance after dinner, Grandma was treated well. The picture of her sitting on "Nick's" knee kind of reminds me of the book "I'll Love You Forever", anyone remember that??

Dad, Jaden, Mom, Nicole and Grandma - Mom enjoyed herself and seemed quite content, the evening tired her out though. I couldn't stop thinking that she was the one who for years was an integral part of the planning for all the family functions and now...well you all know the rest of the story.

The newest member of the clan enjoying Santa's lap.

The twinnies happy with their toys...they are going to have sooo much fun this season, at such an amazingly fun(ny) age!

Some of the younger grandchildren

Uncle Henry, Aunt Nancy and family (unable to attend Shelly, Jason, Rob and Troy)

Uncle Arend, Aunt Joann and family

The adults enjoyed our 3rd Annual Trivia Challenge while the kids decorated gingerbread houses and sang with the karaoke machine. We had a nice singsong around the piano (I missed Grandpa's tenor) and sang late into the night. Thanks to EVERYONE for making it such a great time, sorry to all that couldn't be there, work, oceans away, etc....you missed a fun family time! A special thanks goes to Aunt Mare for putting it all together...there was a ton of organizing and we all appreciate it greatly!

It's beginning to look alot like Christmas....?

Yes and no, the weather suggests spring or fall here but the decorations and musicthroughout the house suggest Christmas...oh well we'll have to enjoy a green Christmas! The bright side, safer travel conditions for everyone's loved ones D.V.

Our Annual Christmas craft. Brian, Nicole and I created ten(?) of these decorations for gifts. Simple yet elegant. The hardest part was perfecting the bow making!!!

Kelsey's volleyball officially wrapped up on Monday at the Thames Valley Tourney. Congrats girls...the Huskies were crowned the AAA Champions, great season!

In action

Wiped out before the holidays even begin...so cute, flaked out in our bed

Climbing trees

Connor making a statement (no worries...colored hairspray!)

Beautiful Kels

That's it for now, time to battle the grocery store...Special Christmas greetings go out to all our loved ones across the ocean(s) who faithfully follow our blog in the Netherlands and to cousin Shelly "down under", I'm hoping to post some pics from Friday night's (big)family Christmas so you can take part via pictures! So to them and everyone else....Have a blessed Christmas, may we all reflect on the true meaning...the birthday of our Lord Jesus. Thanks be to God for the most wonderful gift ever given!

Santa, Snow and Shopping...

Extendicare had a family Christmas evening last week, lots of Christmas Carols, food and of course Old Saint Nick and wife came...Mom was really tired, she enjoyed the singing but nearly nodded off, unfortunately the pics of her weren't flattering so we'll post some when she is a bit more awake...

Brian and the kids enjoyed the snow last Friday and created an igloo around the trampoline...pretty neat!

Nic, the kids and I tore down to the States on Saturday after Nicole had kindly watched them overnight so Bri and I could do some Christmas shopping and spend a night away. Thanks Nicole!

The highlight of the shopping trip, lunch and the carousel!

What's Up??

Kelsey's Winter Studio Club Performance

Disregard the water spots on my camera lens...how do I get them off????

Lots going on here...Kelsey's regular volleyball season is ready to wrap up tomorrow. She had an excellent season, they won nearly all of their games and now have one last tourney to finish the year off. We thoroughly enjoyed watching all the games! However, now that the season is over, I'm off the hook for newspapers on Tuesdays...as is Brian!!

Connor keeping the kids occupied...

An afternoon at the Centre

Connor and Jaden

Connor has been busy constructing a toy project for school...a pinball machine! He received his mark last week and aced it, way to go Con...pics to follow!

An early Christmas present...soft and comfy...I don't think I'll ever go back to fabric couches as long as we have little people...so much cleaner! I LOVE it! One problem, now I have the itch to paint the walls...a nice burnt/brick red? Hmmm...nobody tell Bri ;) maybe I'll surprise him!

Sunday at Aunt Mare & Uncle Doug's

WOW Aunt Mare, you treated us all to a delicious turkey/ham dinner once again...mmm, mmm good! It was fun to get together and wonderful not having to cook! Check out her new kitchen decor...pretty snazzy eh? Too bad you weren't down this weekend Kate...maybe next?

Kevy loading up...

others digging right in...

Aunt Nicole and the kids...growing like crazy (the kids that is, not you Nic)!