Once there was a snowman

A simple, fun family activity on a beautiful December day. Towards the end of winter I begin to really detest the snow. However, in December -when it is new and exciting- we enjoy it all we can!

Luke is two!

It is a little sad that Luke's birthday is so close to Christmas. He was born on the 22nd of December, therefore his birthday lives in the shadows of Christmas. However, we do our best to celebrate it and give him a special day. This year we were at the ranch, so we had a little party!

Luke loved opening his presents. Daddy and Mummy gave him a box of blocks, a potty, a motorcycle toy, and a Wonderpets painting book. He loves the Wonderpets- a TV program about a guinea pig, a turtle, and a duck with a speech impediment.

The birthday boy was lucky enough to receive some cars, dinosaurs, books and clothes from his grandparents, aunts and uncles.

Cousin Quigley arrived in the evening, and the two boys played happily together with Luke's new blocks.

A couple of days before Luke's birthday, Trevor and I both came down with a stomach bug. This meant that I didn't get everything done that I had planned for Luke's special day (including finishing his quilt). But I did manage to put together a birthday t-shirt for him-

I bought a red t-shirt and had some fabric with 'peace signs' on it. I cut out one of the hands, and performed surgery on the fingers so that they were closer together. It was supposed to look like a hand saying 'two'. Not quite as successful as I hoped, but never mind.

The cake was decorated with stars and some purchased letters. It was my first time using fondant icing and I must say I am happy with it. The cake inside was blue, but we didn't get a photo of that.

We can't believe that two years have passed since Luke joined our family. The time has gone by very fast and we have watched him grow from a tiny newborn into a clever and confident little
boy. Oh Luke, we're so happy to have you in our family and we love you very much!

oooops

Balsamic vinegar. Quite stinky stuff, really.

Christmas tree

I love our tree! I loved decorating it this year, and celebrating the start of the Christmas season. And yes, it took about two minutes before all the decorations were removed from the bottom half. Ah, the fun of a two-year-old and a sort-of-toddler. They definitely keep me busy!

I like coloured light best, and Trev doesn't really care either way, so...I win :-) I collected tree decorations in the later part of my youth and have quite an assortment from the different places I have travelled. It is fun getting them out each year. With each unwrapping of the tissue paper there is a memory and a story. I love that.

Plus, we make a few ornaments each year. Here are this years- Trev made the two golden ones, and I made the blue one and the silver one (which reminds me of Elton John, by the way)

Thanksgiving 2009

We spent thanksgiving at the ranch. All of Trevor's siblings were there with their families so there was quite a crowd. We had to use three tables joined together to eat dinner. I think there were about 25 people at least! I forgot to take pictures of the actual thanksgiving meal, but it was so yummy. Why do we only eat roast turkey a few times a year? We should have it at least weekly, I think :-)

Luke and Lainey got to play with their cousins. I always feel bad when we have to go home because Luke especially loves to have other boys to play with, and playing with grandma's toys is a treat too.

Here's Lainey and Taven-



Luke and Corben...

Luke checking out grandma's chickens...

Sledding...

And looking at a fox that uncle Sharden caught in his trap...

So much for the kids to do and explore. Whereas the adults are, of course, content to just relax...

It is lovely to have a special time to think of all that we are grateful for. I know there is the list of things that everyone comes up with. You know- health, family, the gospel, a home, food etc. But it is so true. These things truly are blessings that we sometimes fail to acknowledge. And on top of these 'basics', there are so many other things... books to read, a comfortable mattress, a sewing machine, entertainment, beautiful children, the internet and other resources, education, friends, mobile phones, a fridge, skype, and much more. Wow!