Wrapping up 2009 and Opening 2010

Posting was rather pathetic for the last few months of 2009, so we'll catch up with some pics, shall we?!


Declan had a procedure at the hospital and was such a trooper. Note that although we loads of lovely quilts and blankets in this house, it's the ratty $15 one we bought in Mexico 16 years ago that he loves. Go figure!
But to show you how fast he bounced back, here is is the very next day when we went out to hunt down a Christmas Tree.
It was the Opener for skiing and Caleb was itching to get to Rib Mountain and ski, so he tried to convince us that there was no need to look any further, he had found the perfect (yoga) tree! Declan offered to cut him down with the saw. Which resulted in the following:
Caleb and Ethan attempted to bury Declan alive.
Ethan tried to convince me that he had nothing to do with it by playing the angel card.
How could I be mad with Mummy's little snow angel!
Eventually the perfect tree was found. Note that the next day as Kim attempted to put the lights on the tree (alone - Steve was conveniently at a stake meeting and the kids were MIA) it was so prickly that I was covered in hives and red blotches, and it decided to fall on top of me part way through - no one came to my rescue. Winston would of, if he had opposable thumbs, but it's the thought that counts.
Madison and I got left holding the tree once it was cut. Let me tell you, it was heavy.
The next week, Ethan had his Christmas program at Preschool. He's really got the angel theme going here. I don't have pictures of him during the program as he was stood next to, I swear, the most annoying little girl who kept pulling very convincing piggy faces. It wasn't funny; it wasn't cute; it was just ruddy annoying. Where's a Nerf gun when you need one?!This is only part of the presents on Christmas morning. Apparently the wee ones in our house were better behaved than I thought, or they've got something on Santa and are blackmailing him. I'm going with the later!
Winston assumed his position in his crate, as he could not be trusted a) by the tree, as he likes to eat my ornaments, b) he would have annoyed the kids by tearing the wrapping paper off their gifts before they got a chance to, c) he would have gotten hyper and chased all six of us around the living room. We were not giving him any chances to be naughty here!... and the frenzy begins!!!!
The excitement was too much for Ethan. He passed out. Well, not really, but seriously, this boy has a chance in movies. He fake faints better than anyone!
Here's Caleb opening his camera. Take a close look, this is one of the last times I saw it. He had a completely dorky moment and took it to the hill skiing with him (wanted to take pictures of him doing the jumps) and had his bag stolen containing his glasses, camera, gloves and lunch. I'm amazed we let him live.
Caleb had been expecting a gift certificate for the local ski shop that would go towards new skis for him. He had no idea that we had gotten the real thing. Here he is opening the Sheperd and Schaeller envelope, which contains a letter from "santa" telling him to go look upstairs. He looks a little confused here. Well, he is blond!
Once Caleb realized that he had actually got his skis and boots, the super cool teenager disappeared and he bounced up and down like Tigger. We have it recorded. We plan on using it as a bribing tool if he misbehaves. "Behave, or we'll post the video on facebook" Our parenting skills amaze me.We had a couple of surprises up our sleeves. Delcan had been begging for a guitar. He already plays the violin and the piano, but was desperate to add to his musical abilities. Mum was going to get him an acoustic guitar - a very basic model. She took Dad Christmas shopping and we ended up leaving the store with an electric guitar and amp. Can you say SUCKER!


Then the hat knitting frenzy began. Declan wanted/needed a new ski hat to match his new coat, so I knit him one with 100% Merino wool. He loved it. Then Caleb wanted one to match all of his new ski gear. Check. Then Madison said she needed one. Check. I couldn't leave EB out, so he was next. I've since knit one for Caleb's friend who fell in love with his at the ski hill.

We had a great time for New Years. Such a good time that we forgot to take pictures. Steve and I fell into bed around 4:45am. The kids were wiped out and partied hard right alongside us.
We missed being with our family this Christmas. Especially our family in England. We kept saying "this time last year...." and feeling a little melancholy. Besides that, we had a blast and are excited to see what the new year will bring.
Happy New Year!