Merry Christmas!

This year for Christmas each set of grandparents had a full day. That way we weren't rushing around and trying to fit everyone in when others would be there and for this year it worked. Christmas Eve we spent at Ryan's folks place with everyone. We played games, the kids ran around with all their cousins like crazy people and loved it. We had a potluck dinner with an international theme so Ryan and I made some sushi rolls to share with everyone and they were supper yummy, success.
Christmas day we spent at my dad and Peggy's. Kait & Matthew were there and all Peggys' boys came as well. It was so relaxing and I think the first Christmas we've had in Canada where we weren't trying to be at more then one place at once. The kids got to open their presents and then actually have time to play with them! It was awesome. Dinner was amazing as it always is at dads and it was nice to have everyone there.

That night Madison started to act off and felt a little warm but I had assumed it was because of all the excitement. I was wrong. It was because she had the flu and was up puking all night. The really sucky thing was that she puked all over her PJ's and I had only brought one pair. I had to change her into clothes and then she puked all over those as well. I was running out of options and she was not impressed at the thought of sleeping in jeans. Maybe next time she'll try a little harder to get everything into the toilet and not all down her person. Blah.
Boxing Day morning we were off to my mom and Brians house. Madison only puked once that day ... at the 7-11 in the parking lot on the way to my moms house. GROSS. Moms house was great and of course we consumed loads of good food, my family sure can cook! There was SO much food and my family relies on Ryan to finish a lot of it up with his 3rd and 4th helpings but today he was no help at all... why you ask? He spent the afternoon puking out whatever flu it was that Madison had the night before. While Ryan napped the boys went to the school gym and flew remote control helicopters they got for Christmas (Brayden and Brian) and us girls played with our new toys.
This year was so relaxing, I loved spending so much time at each place and being able to let the kids not only open up gifts, but let them play with them and enjoy them before scooping everything up and moving onto the next house. Spending so much time with family was way better, it was a good Christmas!

Sammy Day 25: Until Next Year

Wow, another season of finding Sammy has come and gone. I can't believe he leaves for the North Pole tonight with Santa and we won't see him until next Christmas. Christmas is tomorrow! How did that sneak up on me?
Sammy left the kids each a present as his goodbye. Like last year they were some PJ's and the kids had kind of assumed as much. Hopefully leaving them gifts and not coal means that Santa will do the same.

Sammy Day 24: Like A Wrecking Ball

The kids could not find Sammy this morning. They were freaking out because the day before he hadn't moved and then today it was like he had vanished. Maybe this was it for Sammy!? Maybe he went back to Santa a few days early because he had been fondled too close to Christmas, maybe he didn't love us anymore?
Nope, none of the above. Sammy was just in such an unexpected place no one thought to look for him there. He was above our kitchen table swinging on the light like he was riding a wrecking ball. This is probably the best thing to come of the song by Miley Cyrus.... Our Sammy, making me proud.

Sammy Day 23: I've Lost The Magic

With only a few days left until Christmas it was a little alarming to wake up and find Sammy in the exact same position he was in yesterday because he had been fondled the day before. Yikes. I really hope that he's left alone today, we don't want Santa thinking the kids are misbehaving so close to Christmas.

Sammy Day 22: Looking For Love In All The Wrong Places

It looks like Sammy loved snuggling with Brayden the other night so much that he's looking for love in other places now. This guy is hanging from our fridge and it's a long way down but at least he's finding things that are his size. Hopefully he doesn't fall.

Sammy Day 21: We Can Always Use More Angels

It appears that Sammy thinks our nativity could use more angels but I don't see his wings?

Sammy Day 20: Nobody Steals My Lucky Charms

So I guess Sammy wanted to see what he looked like as a leprechaun instead of an Elf for a day. What do you think?

Sammy Day 19: Sleep Tight

When we woke up this morning to find Sammy looking at something on my camera. The kids went to check it out and found pictures of themselves with Sammy. They were taken while they were sleeping and I'm not too sure if Sammy had a friend come and take them for him or if he used his magic but the kids LOVED that Sammy had gone and seen them during the night. It looks like Brayden is super cuddly when he's sleeping!

Sammy Day 18: Stay Away

Sammy was a little difficult to find today. He wasn't really up to mischief like usually or out in the open. It's a little strange for our Sammy to be hiding, I think he likes all the attention the kids give him when he's doing his silly stuff.
After checking all the rooms in the house and even venturing into the basement (a place Sammy has yet to go) we found him hiding in the blinds. The kids have been getting pretty bold with Sammy and trying to play around with the things they find him with each day. I think he was trying to give them a message: Leave me alone or I will loose my magic. Thankfully, no one will be able to reach him up there.

Gingerbread Fun

Tonight after supper we did the gingerbread house. It's something you've got to do every year even though you don't eat it and the entire house eventually ends up in the trash. Even though it's a big waste of nasty stale gingerbread the kids could not wait another way to do this. This year I had bought a pre built house kit from Costco and we used our extra candies bought at the Bulk Barn for extra decorations. It was way easier to have the house already to go, no added frustration from the walls always falling over or the icing not being thick enough to hold it all together. Way easier.
The house turned out great, the kids loved it and now it will be our kitchen table centrepiece until it makes it's departure.

Sammy Day 17: The Piano Man

I guess Sammy has yet another hidden talent: He can play the piano, or he likes to pretend. Maybe the ladies Barbies like it?

Sammy Day 16: Hide and Seek

I was a little confused this morning when I woke up and the kids weren't dragging me to Sammy and showing me what he was up to. Instead Sammy was hiding and the kids went to school thinking Sammy didn't come back today. Thankfully during the day Madison was able to spot Sammy's little legs hanging out of the lamp shade and let the kids know as soon as they got home from school.
I think Sammys workout from a few days ago really helped because it has got to take a lot of strength to hang on like this all day long:

Sledding Beattie Style

I think it's sad when -15*C weather is a warm break. It's still too cold for me to be outside and enjoy myself but the kids don't seem to care. Today Ryan hooked up the sled to the back of the kids dirt bike and took them for a few rides. Our long gravel driveway has been packed down with snow for weeks it's perfect conditions for a slippery ride. Ryan would take them around the loop in front of our house, down the driveway and then turn around at the end of the cultasac and then come back for another loop. The puppies for a few doors down apparently wanted to get in on the action and followed them home.
Maybe next year we can just tie the sled to all the neighbourhood dogs and have them take the kids for a ride.

Sammy Day 15: Bath Night

I guess we know how Sammy keeps himself clean. I'm not quite sure how well mini marshmellows clean off the dirt but in the least he's going to small amazing!