Snapshots

Christmas baking is off to a good start around here- even though I HATE making sugar Cookies- I make them for the kids.

Barker took Remy into his room to do her Home Reading- it was so cute!

Chicken wings for dinner the other day- Barker loves LOVES LOVES Chicken wings- he ate 13.

Young Women's this week-Christmas Service for the mothers in the ward and Branch. The YW and YM Babysat Free for 2 hours for Mothers to do Christmas shopping. The mothers love this service and look forward to it for the last 2 years :)

Suncoast Christmas Party was a good time. We met at the Rec Room for dinner, white elephants and games. Good Job Suncoast!

Sundays

We are still going strong playing games as a family Sunday afternoons!

It was really hard not to get out a new board game that we got for Christmas. Although now like a week and a half later, I can't even remember what we bought.

Justin and I also had a conversation about our 2019 family and couple goals. We are going to stick with out monthly temple goal, and going to add a family service goal.

Starting off our 2019 family goal a bit early we made bread and delivered it to a few women in the ward- the kids were so excited no one could hold still for a quick shot!

Toilet Paper Gun

Saturday morning we split a few different ways. 

The three girls went to the Church with Mom, Dad, Mark and Lindsay and their 2 littles. It was there turn to clean the church, and they had my three play with Arlie and Lena so they could get the church done. Justin and Barker did a few errands and I napped on the couch. Everyone thought they got the better end of the deal that morning- but as a Mom, I can safely say I got the best deal.

By the time Barker and Daddy got home, I was up and at um and had a plan. We needed to make a Toilet Paper Gun to shot Grandma and the girls. You should have seen Barkers face when I told him my plan! He grinned from ear to ear and chatted about how awesome it was going to be "What if's" and "Lets do this"

We gathered the supplies, called Grandma and headed over to their house. They weren't quite finished the church so we told them we would meet at their house, we had something for them. It's pretty normal for us to congregate at Moms and Dads on a Saturday to laugh and drink Dad's Dr Pepper.

We made the gun and tested it out. Barker could hardly contain his excitement- he was tasked with watching out the window for the truck- which seemed to take FOREVER to get there.

Our practice run went great- we made it with Justins leaf blower, some tape and a paint roller. There were lots of laughs leading up to it- it was worth it just for the excitement.

Mark and Lindsay got there first with the girls, we told them the plan and we were all excited! So much laughing and we hadn't even done it.

Grandma and Grandpa and the girls finally showed up!
It took some struggling to get in the house which was almost the funniest part- we videoed it and laughed and laughed.

The gun snagged a bit in the beginning but man was it fun! The girls got in first going "what's the surprise, what's the surprise?!" Then I hit them with the gun!

Good laughs by all- with the exact look on Grandpa's face that we knew would be there!

We hung out for a couple hours at Moms and Dads- eating lunch, drinking Dr Pepper,  the boys setting up Moms and Dads Nativity and Justin fixing the Christmas lights on the outside of the house that wouldn't go on, and playing a few rounds of Anomia.

As usual Grandpa wasn't too keen in the games-  especially after we kicked his butt in the first few rounds- he was fine to hold Lena for the last bit- while we kicked Moms butt too! HAHA

We left Grandma's and Grandpa's and headed out to play in the snow!

We went sledding for a few hours- it was just a fun Saturday. 

Snapshots

Remy reading her Home Reading to the Fish. So cute!

For Craft group this month we made some super cute ornaments- even though I put the vinyl on crooked!! If I hang it right- you can't even tell 😆

Barker was waiting for Daddy to come home one day, he saw our neighbour Rob in the yard working on his Christmas Lights. So he headed out there to chat him up- it was so adorable. He was out chatting with Rob for like 40 minutes- until Justin got home. Justin checked to see if Rob needed saving but he was fine with Barker- so Justin headed in and Barker helped for a bit longer. He is growing to fast for me guys!!

Remy wanted to play in a fort- She was struggling with getting the blankets situated, with a little help all was good. Can I just say it is so delightful seeing all my quilts being used to make forts! I make quilts for many reasons- for my kids to sleep under, play with with and snuggle are the main ones.

Remy and Ray take Chinatown

Remy has about 278 days left before she starts Grade One.

Just in case you were wondering.

Trying to make the most of this year- Lauren and I took Remy and Ray to Chinatown for the morning!

Why?

Cause we have never been there- and exploring local places has been such fun lately.

We stoped at Sien Lok Park, that has beautiful pathways along the Bow River. A Memorial was placed there as a living legacy to commemorate the contributions of the first Chinese Pioneers here in Calgary Alberta. It is beautiful- Remy and Ray pointed out the different pictures on depicted on the monument.

The cultural centre was intersting- the roof was gorgeous. For years every time I have driven by that I have wondered what it looked like inside. Let me tell you the ceiling and little museum in the basement was worth the stop :)

Remy and Ray counted all the While Marble Lions we saw through out our morning- I want to say 8, but I can't remember exactly. These two were just outside the museum entrance.

The museum is full of rare replicas of Chinese culture- like replica of the 8 dinning room pieces hand carved from the Qing Dynasty.  Life sized replicas of the tera cotta horses and soldiers. A hand made tapestry of the four great inventions of the Chinese. A art piece made from Feathers and so much more. It is definitely worth a looksee- I will be taking our older kids this year, probably this summer.

Lauren and I could have read a bit more, but Remy and Ray were done! We looked around the cultural centre a bit more, walked around and then to the little mall. Lots of little things to see and buy that are different from all the other malls in the city!

We had a good morning seeing new things- another local adventure in the books!

Grandmas Tree Part 2

Home Reading for Remy!

She is thrilled- not even sure if that is a strong enough word- ecstatic maybe over joyed.... she is over the moon any how.

This book was read to every person in this house multiple times. It was read to our fish, to the window- to anyone she could nail down to listen to her. And we all loved it. 

Grandma got her lights working on her Christmas Tree- we met at Grandmas after the kids piano lessons, and got started. The kids decorated while I made dinner. Grandma and Grandpa miss having someone to decorate their tree for them- I am sure the kids don't mind decorating 2 LOL

Grandmas Tree

Sunday after church we got busy playing Bananagrams-

it took a few rounds before we gave up, LOL.

No ones brain was working well enough to get anywhere

hahaha

So we headed over to Grandmas and Grandpas for dinner- Grandpa had just left for a business trip to Edmonton. The kids walked into Grandmas and noticed she STILL didn't hadn't her tree up.

The pronounced Daddy was willing to help move all the furniture needed and carry the tree up. 

We got going and in no time the Living Room was rearranged and the Tree had been carried up and put in place. Unfortunately the lights needed some more attention so the decorating had to wait. 

Sunday evenings are for family. We are so blessed to have family near by, and to be able spend almost every Sunday night with them! Both Justin and I have family close that we are able to see often! Mother Teresa once said “If you want to change the world go home and love your family” I love this quote. 

Changing the world starts at home, family dinners, helping your niece find a “U”, playing with cousins, holding a-sleeping baby, working together to decorate for Christmas, giving potty training tips to your SIL and laughing together.

Trims and Beckett's Baptism

Saturday morning on the way into the City we swung by Sam and Joes for haircuts!

Barker was in this, I wanna grow out my hair mood, until the top got so long his mohawk looked funky. Justin finally convinced him to join him in a hair cut. 

I snuck in for a picture and Barker was grinning like a mad man- Justin said he grinned the entire time. We love that kid- he shines a special light in this family that we couldn't do without.

Our nephew Beckett got Baptized Saturday morning- Congratulations buddy- we are so happy we could join you on your special day!

Lots of family headed over to Leishman's for lunch after and we had a great afternoon visiting!

We dropped Kalia off at a Birthday Party in the city and then ran errands for a few hours. Got home, did super, baths and bedtime. Put the kids to bed and then headed out to watch the Hockey Games at the Bennetts- it was a fun evening with lots of laughing.

A whole new world has opened up with having children old enough to babysit short term. A whole NEW world.