Gingerbread house

Here are a few photos from our Gingerbread house making. December has been busy busy busy. I've been making all sorts of goodies for our neighbors, friends, teachers, etc. I think I have made myself so busy that I have not left time to realize how lonely and sad holidays are when I can't be close to my family in Manitoba. So, now that my baking is done and Jake is on school holidays, I have been reflecting on what traditions we should start with our sweet little family- and trying to keep my mind off of what traditions I am missing out on back "home". I think since it has been a whole year since I was home, and there have been 3 additions to the family and another one arriving in a couple of weeks- it's especially hard being here and not there. Anyway- I am praying for and searching for a way to reach out to needy ones this Christmas and give- when we have SO much given to us.

Look Who's Sitting!!!

I'm only 4 months old, but look! I can sit by myself!!! Aren't I the cutest thing you've ever seen?!?!?!

Random November shots

I really have some catching up to do with this blog! Not sure if I am really committed to blogging anymore. I think my time filled up with other priorities right now... like facebook and really important things like that :) It's for you, Julia, that I do this tonight!!

Here is Olivia, all pretty, after doing her own makeup.

and a classic Olivia face....

I took Jake to the school dance as a date. My first school Dance. I can now see why I never went. It was crazy. loud music. rowdy hyper kids. and after about 10 minutes, all Jake wanted to do was eat the sweets that the 6th graders were selling. ahhhhh!!! Needless to say I bribed him with ice cream to go home early! Isn't he CHARMING?!?

Olivia turned 4 in november. here she is on her birthday dinner. we had her friend Lucy over for dinner (Mac n' cheese)

Sammy had his first taste of rice cereal:

(not all that productive)

Dan's Grandpa got married in November to a beautiful lady named Mildred. Livi was a flowergirl! And a very beautiful one at that!

Sweet cousin, Austin!!!

Dan's aunt Becky, Aunt Debbie, and mom.

This was the one photo I am posting from Olivia's party. Check out all the girls!!! We had fun playing games- lots of them! I am so thankful for my friends here that help me out with things like this. A couple of girlfriends stayed and helped me pull this party off.

Fall Photos

(a sneak peek to our Christmas photo that is in the mail!)

Snow!

And the white stuff came... and left....(thankfully- I grew up in the praries. I know snow. I'm glad our front yard is now green again!)

We took a quick trip up to BC for a night to get away. Here is Mr. Sam having his first swim at the hotel. There was a waterslide there and the kids had so much fun playing on it.

October in a post

We had Snow White and Matt Hasselbeck join us for Halloween. Sam was superman baby (I'll have to search for that photo)

Went to the pumpkin patch with our friends, the Pinskis. Here are a few shots from that day.

(isn't Cooper so cute?!)

The kids lined up. Our baby boys are 3 weeks apart. (shown on next photo)

The big boys with the babies: