Oh What Fun-Ho Ho Ho

We stayed in Calgary this year while Grandmama and Grandpa visited from Montreal.  The boys really enjoyed their visit as they gained two instant playmates.  Liam really took to Grandpa, especially Grandpa blowing in his face.  Christian had lots of time with Grandmama and even an occasional nap or two with her.  Christian and Grandmama would have some downtime in the late afternoons where on one occasion Christian said to Grandmama, "Grandma, you have a beautiful face and you smell nice".  We put out reindeer food for Santa's reindeer on Christmas Eve and left two cookies for Santa.  

On Christmas morning, Christian came downstairs and was really interested in seeing whether Santa ate his cookies and drank the milk we left out for him.  He was questioning why Santa had left an half-eaten cookie on the plate and why he did not finish his milk.

So many generous gifts from family and friends:

Mom and Dad-Hockey Helmet (Christian), Wood Puzzle (Liam)

Grandmama & Grandpa-Radio Flyer Bike and Wood Wagon, French Books, Coloring Books, Flying toy, Grandmama's baking

Auntie Jeannette-shaking McQueen toy car (Liam), shaking Doc Hudson toy car (Christian)

Gong Gong & Pau Pau-clothes and money

Auntie Sue-Melissa & Doug Architectural Building Blocks

Auntie Eva-Clothes and a viewfinder for Christian

Auntie Laurel & Uncle Chris-Eric Carlisle Panda Bear Panda Bear, Brown Bear, Brown Bear and the corresponding game

Auntie Diena-Parents set of 4 cars (Liam), Discovery Projector (Christian)

Auntie Shannon-Gears building blocks (Christian), Peg picture game (Liam)

Santa-lots of vehicle puzzles for Christian and Liam

The weather was actually pretty mild in Calgary over Christmas.  No new snowfall and the temperature stayed between -2 and 5 C- - perfect for skating.  Daddy's friend Ron gave Christian his first pair of skates and on Boxing Day, they went out on our neighborhood pond to skate for the first time.  Christian did well and did not seem afraid of the unknown.  We spent most of the Holidays eating well and trying new recipes including leg of lamb, crab ravioli, turkey, roast beef, Jamie Sale's Angel Bars and of course, homemade waffles courtesy of Daddy and the new waffle maker Mommy wanted for Christmas.  We also went to the 12 Days of Christmas at Heritage Park with Grandmama and Grandpa.  It was nice to walk around the old village and see all the vintage wares that were for sale.  Christmas 2006 was such a blur as we were busy with Liam's birth, but this year Mommy was pretty thankful for emerging from the infant fog and really being able to enjoy Liam as a little boy with a strong, lively and loving personality and, of course, those killer smiles (such a yummy, gummy bear).