A Spa Birthday

Well, the much anticipated birthday of Mackensey has come and gone. She chose a Spa theme after watching me prepare for a MOPS spa event. With the help of two very wonderful friends, thirteen girls had chocolate facials, pedicures and manicures. They came in their house coats (This is Canadian for robes. I was told that nobody knows what a robe is in Canada.) They made homemade bath salts and decorated the jars with tissue paper flowers. If I could do it over, I would have made the party longer and had one more helper. The party went by so fast and it was hard to get everything in. The girls had a blast and the huge hug and kiss after the party from Mack made it all worth it. After everything settled down and it was just her best friend left in the house, I let her open her American Girl stuff from the grandparents. She screamed when she saw the packages because they are very distinctly wrapped American Girl. Thank you Nanny and G-daddy, Nanny and PopPop, Great Nana, Uncle Scott and Aunt Mara, Great Grandma Franks, Kelly and Wendy for making this day great. By the way, Shane was locked in the bedroom during the party!!!!!

Home Sweet Home!

We are pleased to announce that we have moved into a new home. We feel so extremely blessed. This is our dream home and has everything that we could ever want. We have a beautiful view of farm land and a lake. It is a very open floor plan with a downstairs family room and wood burning stove to heat the house. Shane asked all of us what our favorite part of the house was. The kids both liked the big yard and the play room. Shane liked the open floor plan and the view. I keep changing my favorite part. It started with the floors and after the last few nights of the toasty fire - I just can't make up my mind.

Creativity at Its Best

Friends of ours told us about a bike/craft shop where kids can go after school and during the summer to work on bikes and or do crafts. The kids had a lot of fun this summer at the shop. Mackensey did a lot of sewing projects and Conor had to take a bike a part piece by piece in order to learn how to build one. We have started going back twice a week, and on Tuesday Conor came home with his first built bike. He surprised his sister by making her a bike. He only had the frame to work with and had to piece together other parts and even do a little bit of welding. Mackensey made a doll and clothes and designs to go with it. They have really enjoyed this shop and are learning so many great things. Mackensey and Conor are going to paint the bike and make it look new.

The Wedding

Our trip to TN (during the busiest time of year) was for Samantha and Josh's wedding. Conor and Mackensey were so very excited to see everyone but were even more excited about the wedding. Mackensey has dreamed of being a flower girl for as long as I can remember. It was so thoughtful of Josh to make Conor a groomsmen as well. If I do say so myself, Shane did an outstanding job officiating the ceremony and really made it personal. I have so many pictures to share and have had such a hard time choosing just a few.

Snow and More Snow

Well, we definitely have snow! Our trip to TN and home from TN centered around much drama with snow. They were calling for snow before we left, so we packed up early and got a hotel so as not to miss our plane. Then on the way home, our plane was canceled due to Seattle being shut down as well as Victoria. I do have to say if it weren't for Shonda's computer skills we would be stuck in an airport over Christmas. We were re-routed a day later to Vegas where we had to spend the night and then finally arrived home. Just in time for more snow! Coming home was much anticipated to only find our cars literally buried in snow (we could not get out - snow on both sides, front and back of the vehicles). The driveway that we share with the neighbors remained buried in snow with not even a path to our house. Shane and Conor spent the night digging us out only to get another foot of snow - to dig us out again. We woke Christmas morning to another foot of snow (we are not digging out today). Snow or no snow we are so glad to be home. Conor woke up Christmas Eve Day and came down in his snow clothes. He ate breakfast in his ski pants and boots and was outside for the day sledding down some great hills. The snow is absolutely beautiful and it is extremely nice to have a "Very" White Christmas. Merry Christmas to all!

D.A.R.E.

Conor completed the drugs and alcohol program at school. They ended the completion of this program with a graduation where the kids received t-shirts and certificates. As a final completion of the program, the kids had to write a one page essay covering three points of the D.A.R.E. program. Conor's essay was one of four to be selected to be read at the ceremony. Of course, I was very proud!

A New Adventure

Well, tree selection in Canada is definitely at its best. We went to a tree farm and walked among miles of trees. Once we found the tree that we wanted, a man came with a chainsaw and cut it down for us. When we were told about this place and that you cut them down - I was worried that we were going to have to do it ourselves - now that would have been an adventure. Decorating the tree is always a fun family time. Mom does the lights, Dad hooks all of the balls and the kids put the balls and ornaments on the tree (with Dad's guidance).