December update

It was a busy December for us this year -- although I guess it always is, isn't it?

On the first Saturday in December, we drove up to Orillia for a family Christmas dinner at Ryan's grandmother's house. We were 20 people for afternoon drinks and dinner and the evening was a lot of fun. And, if did bring about the best line from a five-year-old about a Christmas present. When opening his present from his great-nana, Austin looked at it, and declared 'Why would I want clothes!'.

The next weekend was the PCL Kids' Christmas Party at the Kortright Centre. We decorated cookies, Alex had her face painted, we went on a horse-drawn wagon ride and, of course, we visited with Santa. And for the first time since she was an infant, Alex willingly sat on Santa's lap without needing me to be by her side. Of course Austin went with her -- but it's a start.

The next week was Alex's fall preschool graduations. Because she was in two sessions at the same time (the Monday-Wednesday class and the Tuesday-Thursday class) she had two graduations. That meant two concerts for parents, two certificates and two parties. And she had a great time -- as did Austin who got to go to both parties because I rushed out after each concert to pick him up at school and bring him back to her school (thankfully, the two are around the corner from each other.)

And then, after an unexpected crazy week before Christmas, we had a hectic but fun Christmas week. Christmas Eve was a quiet night at home. And Christmas morning was, as expected, a franticly exciting morning.

A scooter from Santa!

A remote control car for Austin!

After the Christmas morning frenzy, we headed out to my parents house for both lunch and Christmas dinner with my sister, her boyfriend and my grandmother as well. And, of course, there were a few more presents there.

On Boxing Day, we left for London where we spent the day with Ryan's dad, Kirsten and Ryan's sister Jamie and her fiancee, Scott, and his sister Krista. The day was filled with more presents and another turkey Christmas dinner.

The following day it was off to Ryan's mom house to celebrate Christmas with her and Graham and Ryan's sisters (and Scott). Once again, the day was filled with more presents and yet another turkey Christmas dinner. (Sorry, for some reason we never pulled the camera out on this day, so I don`t have any pictures.)

Both were fun days and although hectic, was nice to be able to visit with all of the family.

On Dec. 28 we headed home and spent the next four days doing as little as possible. We took the kids to a movie one afternoon, out for dinner another evening and skating another afternoon. Even on New Year's Eve, we opted to keep it low key -- which was fantastic. We made up a bunch of apps for dinner, had a picnic in the basement with the kids and watched a movie. After the kids went to bed, Ryan and I just relaxed and watched TV until midnight.

So that's about all from me. Happy New Year to you all.