Happy sledding

What could be better than sledding on a beautiful day? Dad and I took the kids over to a close by hill today for some sledding fun :)

Getting the tree up!

Well, despite everyone nearby running out of trees, we managed to get one at the last minute. Having your floors redone right before Christmas maybe isn't the greatest idea - but after hearing a piece on the radio about how no-one was buying trees this year (from the scouts) I didn't think there would be a run on them. How wrong we were! After a bit of panic and some phone calls we did find a nursery with some trees. Darcy took the kids and had some fun picking it out.

Here are the boys putting up some decorations (all three boys!)... Sam saw some video or read a book where some 'rat' kids get up on the Dad's shoulders and place the final star on the tree. So here we are:
Sam and Max placed one decoration each last night, then Darcy and I did everything else (except the star) after they were asleep.

Cool snow

I don't normally post just photographs of nature on my family blog, but I couldn't resist sharing this shot of snowflakes.

First skate of the year...on ice

It was the first skate of the year yesterday! Now that Matt and Ali live right across from the rink it should be more frequent, but due to extreme cold we haven't made it out yet. Yesterday we make the trek across the field and took the four kids skating>>>

Max feeding Katy video

He was super cute tonight feeding Katy - I love how he opens his mouth to get her to (like we all do!)...

Fun at the mini-gym

I took the kids down to meet Dawn and her five (!) for some mini-gym fun... Here is Max playing hockey in front of the 'Y':
Sam in Net:

Henry:

Max jumping:

Brothers in the snow (-20C):

Brrrrrr...

Yes, it is cold in Calgary! We're supposed to have a high of -24C today, more like -40 with the wind chill. Feels like it too :)

Pre-school Christmas Party

The pre-school Christmas Party was yesterday, and we had the good luck to be able to invite Darlene, Doris and Gerry who were in town. It worked out great, they got to meet Katy, and we all had a good time at the play. The kids sang songs, did a little play, and sat on Santa's knee.

Darlene couldn't believe how much Katy looked like Mom (Maureen)!

Modern Mom

Here is Darcy whipping through the kitchen getting ready for a busy day...

Winter is here!

Darcy and the boys braved the blizzard yesterday to put up the Christmas lights. They actually played almost the whole day (including Rogan) outside, despite the chilly wind. It wasn't really that cold, but wind always makes it a little worse.

Here is Katy getting ready for the car ride today :)

Sam and Max both helped to shovel up the backyard - and make an igloo to sleep in.

Nobody can be this happy!

Here is Katy before a 10 hour ordeal of a car ride:
Here is Katy at the end of a 10 hr ordeal of a car ride:

OK - it is the same shot taken at the end of the car ride, but still... this is one seriously happy baby girl!

Skating at HP

Sam was pestering me with dates and times for our first skate of the year so I committed to Wednesday evening. True to my word I packed the two boys in the car and hustled over the Heritage Park for a quick skate. We were the only ones there! They had lights and some nice Christmas music floating in the air, but otherwise it was pretty quiet. Sam was laced up and Max fitted with some 'Bob' skates on his boots. They both did pretty good - making it across and back a few times. Max refused any help, but Sam eventually wanted to be pushed around a bit so he could go faster :)

Coming home from music/swimming

For the first time in a while, I took Lily and Max to music. Sam and Ro went to swimming with Jacquie... I've loving the new camera - easy to carry, and I can take shots I'm happy with.

Goalie?

Here is a shot of Sam in his goalie gear. I made him the blocker and mask out of some cardboard and a stock photo that I purchased for the purpose... I searched on 'flames' and he picked this one ;) He took them for show and tell on his VIP day at preschool and the kids were impressed. Now that the rink at Heritage Park has opened up he can't stop talking about learning to skate, too. Last night he said: "Dad. You have a key to uncle Matt's house. While we're sleeping can you sneak over and get my skates for tomorrow?"

New rink in town

Heritage Park now has an artificial rink in the town square... I took Sam, Max and Andrew over to check it out today. I was disappointed to find out that it was just plastic, not an artificially cooled one like in Butchart Gardens in Victoria. But then, it is free! Can't wait to try it out... Andrew ran around and around it, while my two just sort of stared at it:

Having the two boys to myself this weekend, it was nice to have Grandpa here as well. The boys waving goodbye:

Hot chocolate from Grandpa

Grandpa walked down to the coffee shop with the boys and got everyone hot chocolate and coffee. Here we are back at Ali and Matt's:
I tried taking some B&W shots with my new camera - I'm loving the square format and blurred backgrounds...

Celebration!

To celebrate my recent photo assignment win, we had a rousing game a Rock Band last night. We put the kids to bed at their regular time, and then rocked out until the wee hours!