to tie you over...

Sorry for the lack of posts but school is draggin' me down these days. This week is crunch time, all my finals and essays are due by Saturday so the pressure is on. It doesn't help I spend this week in Kamloops working with the after-hours emergency response team in Community Mental Health - the shifts are 4:30 - 1:30 am...what am I thinking?!

We took Owen to see Santa today. It went about as well as expected! He cried and screamed and didn't want anything to do with Santa, which we knew would happen, but as the torturing parents we are we had to have the photo for a keepsake. Speaking of the 'photo' lets talk about the dark ages. In Lillooet Santa sets up in Millwood Plaza a.k.a the mall. Let me tell you, not much goes into the display but to top it off the photos are taken with a POLAROID camera! Can you belive that? Can you believe they don't have a digital in this day and age! Oh well, we paid $12.00 bucks and got four POLAROID pictures. I did manage to take some on my digital to uplaod for you (and to send to grandparents of course).

Christmas is right around the corner and I am feeling on top of things. Well, I did just send my last parcels this morning, but rest assured the postal empoyee said they would arrive to their destinations Wednesday, thank heaven. Christmas cards will be going out on Monday to all those who are wondering if I forgot them this year - I didn't! School is making me crazy.

Our Christmas party last weekend was a success and everyone had a great time. Owen ate and ate and ate all night - because people feed cute babies constantly - after which he threw up right in the middle of the living room during the gift exchange...mother of...

Next year we are going to put a sign on him that says "Don't feed the baby".

Tis the season to indulge I guess! But when your stomache is the size of a walnut and you don't each much junk food, you should take it slow.

Here are some photos to enjoy. This will be my last post until probably Saturday, the day I will be breathing freely and smiling constantly. Even though I don't update my own blog I still log-on and check out all of yours so keep it up. Good entertainment for study breaks.

Santa 2006

Coloring - a new favorite past time

My party outfit

I used these place card holders to let people know what the food dishes were at the party - it was a huge hit. We had yummy food like maple spiced pecans, carmalized onion dip, wings, meatballs, ceasar salal w/homemade dressing, quiche, sausage rolls, stuffed peppers....mmmm....

Shoveling with daddy - he is starting to like the snow more.

traditions...

Our intent with Owen is to have 'family traditions'; some we will be passing down to him from previous generations, others we will be starting new with him. One tradition that Grady and I both have memories of is going out and cutting down the Christmas tree. Often this was done with many people, and included tobaganning and hot chocolate.

Being the naive parents we are, we bundled up Owen last Sunday and ventured Whistler way for a tree. Did I mention Owen hates snow? Minor detail...After looking and looking for a tall and slender tree this year we finally had found 'our gem'. We 4X4 up a mountain, park the Jeep and get ready to cut the beauty down. Did I mention Owen hates snow yet? Anyway, we are good parents, really. Owen was bundled up in snowpants, his jacket, toque, mittens - he had just woken from a nap, had some snacks - we thought we were ready to roll. Out we get - so far, so good.

"Owen let's watch daddy saw the tree!" says mommy.

Owen looks a little concerned at this point, but hangs in there. Did I mention he hates snow? I must have by now...

"Look, lets go up in the snow bank and help daddy" silly mommy

*mayday - mayday*

INSTANT TEARS...tears that wouldn't stop. The minute I sat him down he screamed, loud enough I am sure that hibernating bears were woken up. So, I carried him. Silly mommy, Owen weighs 30 lbs...not good.

So, we played in the Jeep while daddy did all the work! Owen had good fun once we were there! I said to Grady it is the Spanish blood in Owen making him hate the snow. He needs hot and he knows it.

We'll try again next year, that's the beauty of traditions!

Clapping to go home :)

Beauty!

Holiday edition of getting to know you...

1. Eggnog or Hot Chocolate?
Grady’s homemade hot chocolate…..mmmm…..

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree?
Wraps with shiny bows and ribbons too!

3. Coloured lights on tree/house or white?
Coloured.

4. Do you hang mistletoe.
You bet – in a well used doorway!

5. When do you put your decorations up?
I’m always ready for December 1.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)?
TURKEY! Sorry, not too adventurous.

7. Favorite Christmas memory as a child?
Having huge family dinners. I miss that a lot.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa?
Sad, but I can’t remember.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve?
Never; my husband is a bit of a scrooge in that department.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree?
No real order, just lots of ornaments, lights, tinsel and an angel of course.

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it?
Love it – but hate driving in it.

12. Can you ice skate?
You bet and I never let Grady forget it, he’s terrible! His mom said he never skated as a child because skates were always too tight around his ankles…maybe I should lighten up on him as it looks like Owen was blessed with those same ankles.

13. Do you remember your favourite gift?
Probably my engagement Christmas morning 2002.

14. What's the most exciting thing about Christmas for you?
Maintaining traditions and being with family.

15. What is your favourite Christmas Dessert?
Homemade reece peanut butter squares.

16. What is your favourite Christmas tradition?
Decorating.

19. What is your favourite Christmas Song?
Rudolph the red nosed reindeer & Rockin around the Christmas tree.

20. Candy Canes?
Only on the tree.

21. When do you take your Christmas decorations down?
About January 5 ish.