Christmas 2011

So fun. Lexi is the perfect age to really appreciate the whole Christmas thing this year. We went out Christmas Eve to Nolan’s. We were the first ones there and we stayed just long enough so that Lexi didn’t break anything! At one point her and Sawyer were just basically doing laps from the livingroom to the kitchen. When we got home she kept saying “I gotta get to sleep, Santa is coming, Santa is coming!”. She made sure to get out some cookies for Santa too but for some reason she decided to hide them under the tree. I think she might have some Easter envy.

Ratte’s were in town but busy with family. We got together for breakfast on Friday and they were able to spend the night after Christmas before heading back off to Thunder Bay. I keep thinking one of these years Santa will come through for me and deliver them back to Winnipeg. Something about having Paul here makes me feel grounded. Not sure how else to explain it other than a calmness I feel when he is around.

Christmas day Shan’s Mom and Grandma came over for breakfast and then my parent’s, Sister, and Grandma came for dinner. It was so nice for the girls to spend that time with everyone. Lexi is still asking where Marcy is. She kept luring her downstairs for more play time.

In the evening the Bosaks popped in and Lexi was in her glory with Payton and Bronwyn. They all had their Christmas pajama’s on and even Ashlyn gave up the thumbs up.

Last night we had another dinner with all the buds. At one point in the night Mike leaned over to me and said “man, I really like our group…”. We have this really tight core group of people in our lives that seem to just get closer as the years go by. Sometimes we add someone to that group and sometimes we lose one to another town but it really feels like home when everyone is here. Good to have Ponch and Mel back this year and Toph a little closer after the holidays.

Jingle Bells Bday

Gerrie’s Birthday

Shan has been working hard on a surprise party for Mom over the last month and this weekend it all came together. It all started with the arrival of Tim and Leslie-Ann on Friday night. What we have learned from surprise parties of the past is if you want the “Tear Factor” you bring in Tim. Saturday morning Shan booked a sleigh ride and chili feast at the Birds Hill Ranch.

To get Mom there Shan told her that they had a day planned together as a Christmas thing. We guess that she figured they were going to the spa because her response was “should I shave my legs for this?”. We all waited at the outside at the Ranch for them to arrive and of course Shan took it to the next level with a blindfold for the car ride there.

It was a glorious reception and of course Timmy (Tear Factor) Dickenson didn’t disappoint. Once her eyes adjusted to the light and she saw Tim and the rest of her friends and family it was on. We also didn’t know that while we were out on the sled Timmy was going to get down on one knee and propose to Leslie-Ann. Of course everyone jumped off the sled to watch her accept. We were all super excited and happy for them, all except the guy driving the sled who yelled back at us to hurry up because the horses were getting antsy. In my head I yelled “HOLD YOUR HORSES” and laughed secretly to myself.

We finished the night with a nice turkey dinner at our place. I think the whole day was huge success. Thanks to everyone for coming and helping out so much.

KP Santa

It’s Ashlyn’s first Christmas to we wanted to make sure we went to see Santa with the girls. That means a trip to the mall at a time that is not healthy for someone as impatient as me. To top it off we stopped at Costco first so my mood was less than festive.

We went to Kildonan Place because it’s right beside Costco and it’s free. We already have a few pictures of the girls with Santa from our breakfast the other morning but we needed the Mall Santa to make it all official for the girls. It was lined up to the gills when we got there so Shan and Ashlyn stood in line while Lexi and I did some looking around and ended up getting in a fight with the girl at the “Seen On TV Store” about the cost of their “Eggies“. They want $19.00 +tax for 6 and the ones on TV are $9.99 for 12 and 2 egg slicers! She said the postage was $12 but when I looked on the site on my phone while I was there I proved her wrong…$7.99 for postage. Clearly I could not buy her 6 for $19.99 and sleep at night.

When we got back to the line Shan motioned me over and told me that this woman who was behind was complaining about the wait and had somehow advanced to the nearly the front of the line with her 2 10 year old kids. WTF. She made some excuse about someone holding her place in line and pushed her way up there. Shan even said something to her and when the lady barked back at Shan (who was holding a 6 month old BTW) another lady in line got into it too. It was quite entertaining really.

In the meantime Lexi and I were standing near Santa’s exit and she was watching all the kids sit on his lap. I guess when I had my head turned and in between customers Santa called Lexi in to get a candycane. I didn’t know he called her in so I kinda barked at her “NOPE, it’s not our turn yet and she came back out quickly” – Santa was kinda looking at me holding his candy cane out and I had to explain to him that I didn’t realize he had summoned her in and that we were actually coming up on our turn. It must have been strange for Lexi to see me pull power on Santa like that!

On the plus side Santa was really cool this year. Not the yellow bearded old grump of years past. Ashlyn really seems to like Santa. Both times she has been on his lap this year she cranks her head over to have a look at him and gets a big smile on her face. She must be thinking “if only I could get a hold of that beard!”.

#12 Payton Bosak

JP’s Wedding

Tina Fey

A Mothers Prayer for Her Child

Afternoon Snack

Had to share this one. Lexi and I watched this 4 times.