Our Christmas 2012

Here are a few pictures (ok, I guess there are a lot!!) to share with you from the Christmas season in our family.

Scott was a Wise Man in a Christmas dessert theatre.

My lovelies in their Christmas attire. Elise picked out her dress, and wore it several times throughout December. She said, "If I have to wear a dress then it needs to be blue!"

School Christmas concert.

Family gathering... "Bring your Favourite Appy". The selection was amazing!

Kids' choir at church.

Present time...

Just a tad excited about this new game for the Wii!

Light sabers. They have been playing hide-and-seek in the dark with these today, and having so much fun!

Reading the Christmas story at Grandma and Grandpa's.

We spent a week with Grammie and Papa and Uncle Angus.

Christmas dinner at my parents'.

A little catch-up with some dear friends while I was in my home town.

The annual Boxing Day Skate. Elise playing hockey with Uncle Angus. She was lovin' it!

And the collection continues to grow...

May I introduce you to my newest Nutcracker. Steve gave me this Santa Nutcracker for our 11th Anniversary, which was on December 22nd.

2 Pirates and a Karate Kid

We went to the Fall Fest at church instead of trick-or-treating on Halloween, which was nice because it was a super rainy night! Then, today, the kids had a costume party at piano lessons and had a mini-recital for their fellow piano students, so they got to dress up twice this year!

Crab Fest 2012

I love it that my dad takes us Crab fishing. Salt water fishing licenses for kids under 16 are free, so we always have the kids' up to date when we go for a visit. My dad renews his each year and Steve and I go along for crowd control, and of course we help with the eating. Scott isn't a big fish-eater, but he sure loves catching them and hanging out by the ocean and on the dock.

Getting the traps ready.

Down they go!

Pull...

Keep pulling...

Sometimes you get the reward of a beautiful male crab that is big enough to keep, and sometimes you get a great big slimy starfish!

Steve made a few new friends...

We had the most incredible weather while we were on the island.

We got 6 keepers the first day and 10 the second day. Each license is allowed to keep 4, so our max would be 16.

Todd and Papa... two peas in a pod and best buddies from the start!

A typical scene off the Sidney Pier

Thanksgiving Overseas...

It was the first time in about 5 years that we were able to join my parents and brother for Thanksgiving. Nothing like being home for the holidays. Mom put on a feast, as usual!

Loved mom's festive displays around the house...

We also celebrated my big brother's birthday.

The kids all chose gifts to give him and piled on him on the couch to get him to open them!

I don't know if Elise was trying to get her card to look like Uncle Angus, or not, but she sure made a cute card!!

Then, the after-dinner festivities included a show by Elise and Uncle Angus - they had us in stitches!

My dad and his "girls".

They got some new chicks that were "all girls" but my dad said as soon as he saw the babies he knew this one was a rooster, even before the baby feathers grew out, he was struttin' his stuff. The last rooster they had ended up in the freezer, so it was nice to see one around there again!

On our ferry ride home, a nice lady took our picture.

We have so much to be thankful for, including the bounty that was loaded in our truck as we were leaving. All from my parents' garden, and from their neighbour's garden. Potatoes, garlic, tomatoes, zucchinis, pears and more. Fresh food is the best gift!