Christmas Holidays!

If I get this written before the snow actually disappears, I think I'm safe to say that I wrote it during the winter. Well, at the rate of Mother Nature this year, I think I still have another month! haha

Christmas Holidays 2010 was jammed with tonnes of family and friends. Due to Bill's lovely work schedule we were needing to stay here this year. Jenn, Geo, Avery, and London arrived for supper on the 23rd. We quickly ate and visited and then headed off to go on a sleigh ride through Evergreen Park to look at the beautiful display of Christmas lights. The girls all had fun huddling under blankets and sipping hot chocolate.

Later that night, Gramma and Grampa W arrived. The hustle and bustle of the holiday had officially begun. (That is what I treasure most about any holiday- being with lots of family. That is my greatest childhood memory- being with all my cousins and aunts and uncles at the farm or in Peace River.)

Christmas Eve afternoon saw Bill and Geo and Gord heading to finish up their shopping- I think that is becoming a cute tradition for Bill! The girls were playing and entertaining each other- I think mine were probably working out a schedule of when they could get one on one time with their little cousins! We played poker and ate appies- yum, yum. Just before bed we let each of the girls open their one present and then we sang some Christmas carols and it was off to bed because Santa was on his way!

Christmas morning was so relaxing, unfortunately I think the chaotic years are over. The girls are getting really good at watching each other open their presents. I quite enjoyed watching Aves and Lundy open their presents- I miss having little ones in the house. Kota and Ains got DSI-xls from Santa and Kenna got her own laptop. They were pretty excited about all of their gifts.

Boxing Day we hit the town and shopped for the good deals. It was fun! The girls had money and gift certificates to use so we braved the line ups! It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.

The days went by so quickly, but it was so wonderful to have family to spend the holiday with.

Technology...ugg!

Unfortunately after I wrote the last post about our summer holidays, I was going to write about our wonderful August long weekend trip to my gramma's farm in High Prairie and all about the fun fishing trip we had taking the girls to Slave Lake and renting a boat. I was going to post pictures of the girls catching their many fish (I think in total we had about 33- we didn't keep any of them). I was going to write about the many adventures they had at the farm with their cousins- quadding around the field, swimming in the river, playing on the tire swing, singing, dancing, and entertaining at the Lodge where grampa is, and staying up late around the campfire. I had wonderful pictures to post and share. Well, I learned a lesson- never put photos on your computer without backing them up somewhere, because it's just a matter of time until it's your turn for the computer to crash!
I was also planning to write about Mckenna's 12th birthday party in August. She had a weiner roast in the backyard with her sisters and friends and then we headed off to the rock climbing wall at the college. I was going to post pictures of Mckenna climbing up to the top of the wall. I had photos of Ainsley being brave and going up the wall, just until she was comfortable. I also had photos of Dakota zooming up to the top and then letting go with her hands as she dangled free in her harness on the way down. Those photos, of course, were on the computer not backed up.
I had also planned on writing about Mckenna's volleyball season with her Jr. High Volleyball team. They went undefeated in their league and won the league in the playoffs! They entered 2 tournaments in the grade 9 division and did amazing! In one of the tourneys, they made it to the semi finals and lost out. I was going to post pictures of her and her team- playing hard and having fun. She loves volleyball with a passion and really enjoys being a setter. She has just started her club volleyball season for March and April. I DO have photos that I will be able to post!
I was also going to write about the awesome Thanksgiving we had at my cousin Christi's place in Athabasca. This was the first time we were able to go, and can't wait to go again. There was lots of relatives there, which means fun for the kids. There was the usual little group of cousins (Mckenna, Ainsley, Sarah, Leirin, Dakota, Karley, and Nolan) and they had a blast. Fantastic food, great company, many laughs! I was going to post pictures of the kids jumping and climbing on the bales. I DID actually print those off before the "crash" so atleast I have those photos. The bales were golden, the sky was a deep, bright blue, and wind was slightly blowing. I got some fabulous photos of all the kids.
I was also going to write about our darling Dakota's 8th birthday. She had some friends over for some Christmas crafts and then we went off swimming. The coolest part about her birthday was that her very good friend Alyssa (and her sister Kyla, who is Ains's good friend) was in town from Fort Nelson, so those girls came and surprised Dakota. When Kota opened the door, she was stunned! Ains and I were excited that we pulled off the surprise- that's what birthdays are all about! I was going to post pictures of Kota and her friends, but I have a strong feeling that they were deleted from the camera BEFORE the christmas photos took over. As I am writing this, I am thinking that I will have to check the camera one more time.
So, for months I had all of these thoughts, stories, and posts floating through my head. I have learned another lesson- don't wait so long to write, and TAKE the time to write, instead of letting everything pile up.
Ugg...technology, but I guess everything happens for a reason, and I learned 2 good lessons!