It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

Christmas is in full swing at our place! Despite the cold which I'm not very fond of, I'm really getting into the magic of Christmas with the kids! We started a new tradition with our Elf on the Shelf which James named Goldie. Every morning the kids wake up and search around the house for him...sometimes he's been a little naughty (making a mess of our cheerios), sometimes silly (hanging upsidedown from the chandelier) and sometimes nice (writes notes and draws pictures for the kids). They love it and so do we! Tonight there was a little show on tv about him and the kids were glued!

We were invited to a friends kids Christmas party today and the big guy himself made an appearance - much to the delight of my kids (well except when he wanted them to sit on his lap). But they watched him intently and James joined in some Christmas carols. They even got a special gift from him. James was full of questions on the way home "I didn't see where he parked his sleigh? Why did he only stay for a while?" It's truly heartwarming to see them believe!

I love this picture:)

James asked Santa (with the best manners) for a scooter!

Mason just wanted me and more cheesies!

The Langley Fire Department comes by yearly lights and sirens (and santa!) to collect money for the burn unit. The kids bundled up faster than I've ever seen and we headed out for some jaw dropping fun!

Pretty shell-shocked!

We took this picture for Geoff's customers Christmas card!

I took about 40 pictures to try and get one with smiles...you'll have to see if that worked out, but here's a funny outtake!

Looking forward to tree decorating, Geoff's charity work function, his work Christmas skate, special dates at Potters light show, big smiles when they find Goldie, the shaw fireplace, gingerbread decorating...so much more!

Mason's a Big Boy!

It's been a while since I updated just on our little Mason! It's hard to believe he's the same age right now as James was when he was born (just a week shy of 21 months). It makes me wonder how I/we did it! He's a busy little guy and for the most part very happy! It's hard not to melt when he flies into your arms for the best hugs! He's beginning to talk a little bit (new words this week are Santa) and he thinks he's a pretty big joker when you ask him a question...he mostly answer 'NOT!'...James thinks this is hilarious and continues to ask him each night after dinner if he's going to do the dishes to which Mason replies 'not' and they both laugh hysterically. Although he can only say about 5 letters of the alphabet, he can point them all out on a page, thanks to James' help in learning and just today they worked on a 1-10 puzzle and Mason got 9/10 correct! James is so sweet everytime he gets one right he says 'good job bub!' and high fives him at the end...very heartwarming! So here's to our little man...we love him so much (the big guy too;)

Whatever James is doing, Mason is not far behind!

Look Mom, I can keep up with him!

Handsome young man! I think he might be a future-heartbreaker

Popping wheelies and now balancing on his bike! And fearless I might add...throwing himself down hills like James!

Christmas is going to be a fun one this year:)

Finally...Halloween!

And by finally, I mean - I finally got around to posting! Things, well are always busy and I'm afraid this blog has become a last priority...nonetheless, here's an update from Halloween and hopefully I won't be too late on Christmas activities!

Here we are at our friends pumpkin patch party!

Who's that knocking?!

It's cookie and froggy!

We lucked out this year with the candy haul...the kids chose one thing (after I'd gone through it) and have never asked since that night! I'm sure we'll use at the smarties at Christmas decorating gingerbread houses!

Future waste management techs?

Found a new ap for my phone that allows blogger posts so had to try it out...found this picture from a month ago of the boys taking our recycling can back to the house...they sure do love to help us!

Thanksgiving 2011

A few weeks back now (again, not sure where time flies!) we went to Victoria for Thanksgiving weekend! Geoff stayed at home to work and work on our house (never ending cedar shingles). The kids were great on the ferry and loved getting 'blown away' outside the ferry deck! Mason still remembers it to this day (ahhhhh!) We had two Thanksgiving dinners, both with family and both very busy and fun! I loved having the kids play with my cousins kids (James finally got bossed around...usually he's the one bossing Mason around!) All in all, a great visit with lots of walks, great weather, a trip to Mitchell's Pumpkin Patch, great food and family times - so much to be thankful for!

Playing with slippery soap - quite the giggle fest!

Story time

Pumpkin Patch

Posers!

My two little pumpkins

Thanksgiving dinner at Doug & Karen's (with Cassidy & Keenan)

No description required:)

Mason learned to poppa wheelie!

Out for a family walk & stride

More stories (Mason loves his Papa very much!)

Cabining on Lake Cowichan!

We returned from our 4 days at my family's cabin on Cowichan Lake about 3 weeks ago, but it's taken me a while to catch up and write about it...so finally here goes!

We had some great weather and the kids were thrilled to get to the lake! Of course, James had to drive the boat first and do everything we had done the previous month we were there...this time with less help (walking logs, playing ping pong etc.) We had day visits with my best friend, Amy, and her family, including 21 month old cuite, Freya (whom we hadn't seen since she was 9 weeks old) and also a visit with my cousin, Kim, and her kids Keenan & Cassidy. Here are the higlights from the trip!

Learning to walk the logs

Learning to walk the log solo - great balancing!

Cool dude enjoying the sunset!

Jiffy Pop on the stove!

First day: having a snack on the dock

They did this the whole time, it was so boring...all us adults wanted to do was run around and be crazy...aha

Learning to kayak with Grandma

Jumping off the rock wall:)

Learning to fish with Papa G!

Noodle war with Grandma:) Thanks Keenan & Cass!

Lunch with the Kellow's!

No, this is neither James nor Mason - but a cool shot of Geoff and our friend, Matt, rocking the canoe...first one off loses...fun to watch!

Our early anniversary dinner!

Driving Papa's boat, a fav!

Thanks Grandma & Papa G for having us up and for all the yummy food and terrific fun!

Mable Lake!

We took our annual trip to Mable Lake over the August Long Weekend this summer! Geoff's mom has rented the same cabin (this was our 7th year going) right on the beach. Auntie Jocey was there this year so it was a full house, but tons of fun:)

Contemplating a jump off the dock

A client of Geoff's offered to lend us this jetski...it flew...so fun:)

James and I on our regular run (fancy flying)

Happy Hour

Cheesy poser

Sharing toast in the morning

Lake morning happy dance!

Rox & the kids made it up for a day!

Self Portrait

Family dinner shot

Thanks Grammy & Aunite Jocey for such a fun 4 days:)