Great food, good people, fun times...

We had Christmas, with presents and turkey, on the 24th at my parents.

We opened stockings at our house Christmas morning...


...then headed to Rob's parents for more Christmas, presents, and turkey.



There was some over-indulgence.


This Christmas I have felt so grateful. I am so blessed. Even though we did get some great stuff, I'm so happy that we could spend time with our dear families, stuff our bellies, and make some great memories, while celebrating the birth of our Lord and Saviour.

So from us to you, may this holiday season bring blessings, and may you have joy in the New Year.

Now we're off to Cancun in less than 48 hours so I'll probably not be posting until we get back. I still have to do ALL my packing, plus packing for the kids too. At least the house is clean.

I'm dreaming of a...

I think that snow came about a month too early.

This next picture is about the best I can do when it comes to getting proof of Jayden's walking ability.

Ian helped me decorate the tree. After he lost interest I rearranged them more evenly about the tree. This is our first year without a real tree. Jayden still likes to eat everything and I'd rather he didn't consume pine needles.

We tried to get a nice shot of both the boys together in front of the tree. These are the best we could do. Jayden doesn't stay still long enough, and Ian was just being 2.

See, I told you I had more Christmas stuff on my mind. Now, since I've stepped up and posted more, I think you need to step up and comment more so I know my efforts are worth it.

I LOVE Christmas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You have NO idea how much. Every year I get those butterfly giggly feelings in my tummy in anticipation of all things Christmas-y. Decorations, music, FOOD, time with family and friends. If possible, having kids makes it even MORE exciting. Have you seen the movie ELF? I feel like that about Christmas. "The best way to spread Christmas cheer is to sing out loud for all to hear." Love it!

So work is going really well. Even though it takes a looooong time to get to work and back home, I really enjoy the quiet alone time I get in the car where I can listen to MY music, not necessarily kids music, and definitely not sports talk radio (no matter how much I've come to appreciate Pratt and Taylor). Two days a week seems perfect. After two days I'm glad to spend the next five with my family, and when Monday comes around I'm really looking forward to going to work. Did I change the subject you ask. No. Today was my last day until January 8th. Our office is closed for the same two weeks that schools are closed. I'm officially on my Christmas vacation. Aaaaaand...only 11 more sleeps until we go on a REAL vacation to Cancun MEXICO! On the beach, for SEVEN days, with NO children. As much as I love them, their grandparents really love them too. And I know that they will have fun, and be spoiled while we are gone. Maybe not as much fun as WE plan on having! We're going with our friends Travis and Karen. Oh the excitement, oh the giddyness, oh the capital letters and exclaimation points!!!!

I have more Christmas stuff to exclaim about, but we recorded one of the best Christmas movies EVER, A Muppet Christmas Carol, you HAVE to see it, and I'm going downstairs to watch it because the kids are sleeping, and Rob's at work (he just doesn't seem as excited about it as I am), and I can watch whatever I want to.

:)

(I'm SOOOOOO excited about Christmas and New Year's!!!!!!!)

More Birthday Stuff...

Minutes after birth, red, wrinkly, and a full head of dark hair.
Bonding with Mommy and receiving Canucks indoctrination. You can see a little bit of the orange sleeper he's wearing, which was the one that I wore home from the hospital after my own birth way back in 1978.


One year later, happy, active toddler with an 8 toothed grin.

It's getting hard to fit him on the counter after bathtime.

Birthday party pics. Chocolate cake.
Presents. Can you see the snowstorm out the window?

My Baby Boy!

Baby Jayden isn't really a baby anymore, he's a one year old toddler! (This is so overdue I'm ashamed.)
At 3:14am, November 21, 2005, Jayden Robert was born. He was loud, and very very red. He seemed to be the exact opposite of his brother. Once he became accustomed to our ways, and the ways of nursing, things calmed down and he was shown to be a very happy content, mostly quiet, baby. He learned early to make his needs known immediately since he was competing for attention with a toddler who could scream louder than he could. He was a wonderful sleeper, until he hit 6 months. He was always a fabulous nurser, but did not take kindly to solids. He's a bit sensitive, he takes awhile to warm up to people, won't smile right away, but has the greatest giggle I've ever heard.
He's now walking all over the place. Being constantly knocked over by the bully big brother doesn't seem to deter him at all. He will eat almost anything we put in front of him as long as he can feed it to himself. Holds a sippy cup like a pro and is pretty good at using a spoon to feed himself too. I think it has something to do with doing everything that Ian does. Ian is his most favourite person in the whole world. His little self will is developing nicely as well. He's learned how to scream when he doesn't get what he wants.
This past year I've learned so much more about being a mother. A mother to two different boys. It's the most difficult, yet the most sweetest thing I've ever had to do.
I love you Jay-Jay!