Canadian Christmas

This year, we were treated with fantastic weather, as we celebrated Christmas in the great white north. The boys had so much fun outside. Between skating and building a luge track in the backyard... they were very active.

Christmas Eve, before church

After church... he looks a little messed up because I caught him right before he was going to get in his pj's... he also looks rested due to the nice nap he took during mass!

Sean showing off the letter he wrote to Santa

Christmas morning

Such a cute little reindeer:)

Brandon was watching the boys, Daddy and Papa as they started to make their luge track

Sean LOVED his goalie equipment>>

... so did Ryan

Me and my goofball on Christmas day

The boys challenged Uncle Pete to a game... 2 against 1!

A "real" goalie mask... Thanks Uncle Pete!

Skating at City Hall on Boxing Day... the Zamboni wasn't flooding the ice that day so it was a little rough and snowy:(

Taking a break

We went up to the cottage to play some shinny... Mom and Chris before we left

Daddy... notice the snow outside the window..

... and hanging off the roof... Dad and Uncle Bud

Watching the Zamboni flood the ice (this is actually a tennis court)... Ryan was making me nervous... his lips were getting awfully close to the fence... and when I explained what could happen... it became even more tempting!

Ryan shooting the puck to Papa

Uncle Pete and Sean

The whole gang... Daddy's skate made it in this pic but not him!

We went to a Colt's game... they lost in a shoot out:(

Papa, Brandon and Daddy

Brandon discovered the train and enjoyed making them go

Time with Papa

Sarah, Sean and Ben tobogganing in the backyard

Christmas @ Home

Eight years ago, we made an agreement with Santa. Since we travel at Christmas, he would make a special visit to our house on the Saturday night before we leave for the holidays. Once again this year, he did not disappoint.

The boys after setting out the milk and cookies

Reading Twas the Night Before Christmas with Mommy

"Christmas morning" playing Star Wars

Sean checking out some of Santa's presents

Sean reading a note that Santa left

Ryan helping Brandon open one of his gifts

Sean showing off his Husker gear from Daddy

Visiting Santa at Riverside, this gave the boys a chance to thank Santa for making a special trip. Brandon was less than impressed.

While at Riverside, we had brunch with Nick, Jeannette and cousins Jake, Austin and Annika and Great Grandma's Norma and Erm. The kids took this opportunity to exchange gifts. Austin gave Brandon a helping hand.

Sean checking out what Ryan got.

The cousins.

Christmas in Arizona

Grandma and Grandpa decided to head to Arizona before the snow started to fly this year. We couldn't let them spend Christmas alone in the sun... so we took some time in the middle of December to celebrate the holidays with them... and the sun! We really enjoyed spending time with them, seeing where they live when they aren't here and meeting some of their friends.

Sean and Ryan stayed in the 5th wheel with Grandma and Grandpa, while Brandon, Tony and I stayed at a hotel nearby. This was the view from the patio outside our room.. not to shabby!

Running through the rocks... not much grass in the desert... after breakfast.

Swimming on a beautiful December day... love seeing Superstition Mountain in the background.

The boys playing with Grandpa

Brandon playing after a swim

Dipping feet in the hot tub... feet only... Mommy and Daddy said so!

Family hanging out after a swim

Mommy and her boys in the desert at sunset

Grandma's turn

Sean and Ryan were very excited to go hiking at a nearby mountain... partly because they found that it was named after one of their favourite cousins.....

.... "Silly Mountain Mommy... just like Silly Jeff!!"

Warming up after a swim. The pool was about 80 degrees (my perfect temp for swimming) , this did make it a little chilly getting out though.

We went to a ghost town, wandered around and took a train ride, where we saw old mine shafts, equipment and lots of cacti

Jail? No thank you. Rule #1 NO COMPLAINING... not gonna happen!

Riding the train with Grandpa

In front of Grandma and Grandpa's 5th wheel.

All decked our for the holidays... stockings by the fire and a tree... Ryan has had enough of pictures... can you tell?

Brandon leading me on a walk

This cactus is at the airport and all decorated for Christmas. We learned while we were in AZ that a cactus this size could be well over 100 years old. A cactus is generally 50 years old before it grows it's first arm.