Christmas Ski Trip

A couple of days after Christmas, we went skiing for the day. We joined the Aspden's, not in Aspen... but at Snow Valley...just as good...right? Neither Tony nor I had been on ski's in years, but we really enjoyed it. My knee was a little nervous at first, but quickly got over it. I made my peace with the racing hill as I cursed it on my way up the chairlift. I also got over looking like one of the "mental rentals" that Michelle and I used to giggle at as we rode the chairlift. I was far too busy being the proud mom. Sean did a fabulous job on just his second time out...the last being in March of '07. I might be biased, but I believe (and Tony & Dad will agree) he has some natural ability.

Waiting for his buddies.
Are these the "Crazy Canucks"?

Sean was all smiles, despite wishing he had "gobbles" like Ben and Sarah.

He spent the first couple of hours riding the rope tow and making his way around Diego and his buddies. After lunch, he desperately wanted to ride the chairlift and go down the big hill. Tony and I nervously took him up. Okay I was nervous...repeating the words I had heard so many times as a child from dad...."don't move, don't look back, sit still...don't breath!!" Sooo afraid of him falling off, but he did great. He loaded and unloaded like a pro.

Such form!!

Nearing the bottom. He loved this part because we didn't make him turn as much.

Great job Sean! We'll definitely do this again next year. I'm sure our other daredevil will join us then too!

Sean is Turning into a Paparazzo!

After a long couple of days travelling, we made it home and immediately headed for the doctor's office. To pass the time, and try to keep overtired children who were also tired of being cooped up, happy... I emptied my purse. Ryan chose my wallet, Sean my camera.

Thanks Sean, for the wonderful picture of me wearing the same clothes I was wearing on New Year's Eve...note the date on the picture.
Not bad for a self portrait.

Ryan showing off his gymnastic abilities...wait no that's a tantrum.

Dr. Boon doing his work.

Christmas and Nana and Papa's

After a looooong and sometimes painful trip through airports, we made our way to Nana and Papa Joe's for Christmas.  The week was, as always, too short (seemed that way anyway) and filled with fun...and illness (of course).   Poor little Ry guy had been off antibiotics for a whopping 10 days before he got sick again.  Unfortunately, the doctor we saw felt that it was allergies and offered no antibiotics for relief.  We did manage to get through and he is now on meds and feeling much better...for now.  Sean also started to feel under the weather after Christmas.  He ended up with a fever and later diagnosed with tonsillitis.  He too is doing better.

Christmas Eve, we had our traditional evening.  We went to mass (thank you Uncle Pete for watching Ryan so we could have a peaceful experience) and Chinese food when we got home.   The food was good, despite the service.   Christmas day, we opened presents, ate breakfast and were joined by my aunt Rosemary, her family and my uncle Ken and his family. It was a wonderful day.  Sean and Ryan loved the attention of the "big kids".  

After Christmas, Tony, Sean and I went skiing with my friend Michelle and her family.  He took to it like a duck to water.  Unbelievable riding the chairlift and everything.  Those pics are on my other camera...keep watching for them.

The boys enjoyed trips to city hall to skate and playing outside, building forts and tobogganing in the backyard with Papa.

Tony and I managed to get out for a grownup night with friends and for New Year's Eve.  It was great to be able to catch up in person.  

Unfortunately the trip home was as much of a disaster as the one there.  We got stuck in Detroit and got home a day late.  

Things here are starting to settle down. Toys have found places to "live", Christmas decorations are down ... inside anyway.  Tony is preparing for the RV and Sport Show this weekend and I am prepping for our trip to Cancun in 2 weeks!  Ya, I need a break already!

Sprinkling "Christmas dust" (from preschool to help Santa find his way) and leaving carrots for the reindeer.

Milk and cookies are by the tree...we're ready.

Ryan surveying what Santa and Nana and Papa have left under the tree.

Wow, a real  big boy hockey bag!!  On wheels even...now Mr. Independent can carry his own equipment.

Helping Papa put Baby Jesus in the Nativity scene.

Daddy setting up some toys.  

Sean and his goofy glasses.  Ryan loves these too.

Building with magnets.

Christmas at Nana and Papa's

Either Blogger has slowed down or I have reached the maximum number of pictures for one post.  So here is the second half of our visit at Nana and Papa Joe's.  As always we had a wonderful time.  Enjoy the pictures and captions.  I'll give more info in the first half...coming soon!

I...want...up...I...can...

...do...it...see...told ya

The look of victory!

Sean testing out his new camera on his cousins.

You're never too old to enjoy a good Curious George in the Box!

Sharing tapioca with Papa Joe

Enjoying good food and conversation with the ones we love.

Uncle Pete helping to clean up

After dinner, I heard my cousins talking about Sean "buckling him in".  I wasn't sure what they were talking about at first.  Upon investigation I found that he had strapped Ryan into the doll stroller and was taking him for a ride.

Sean following Papa outside.  In the foreground you can see the fort they were working on/

Playing trains.

Uh-oh...derailment!

On this day, skating at City Hall, we ran into one of mom's former coworkers (and friend) with her little guy.  Sean and Carson buddied up nicely.  Carson was even kind enough to loan his bobskates for Ryan to try on another day.

The boys fell in love with the story "Nickolai's Trains".  Nana let them play around on her old computer.

We also borrowed a helmet for Ryan, but it didn't have a face mask.  Since Ryan's head seems to love to bang things we thought he should use Sean's helmet and Sean could use the one without the mask.  I wish I had a picture of the ear to ear smile on his face as we put the helmet on.  The boys were both sick this day, but they still managed to have fun!

Sean sporting the maskless helmet.

Surprise, surprise, Ryan didn't want anyone to help him!  No fear!

Next year...one blade!

This was a lesson for Sean...sometimes, if you throw a big enough fit...you WILL get your way. (Mommy not thrilled by this lesson).  Sean was burning up about 102 at this point...he was being bossy and not at all the boy I know and love.  As we were about to leave, he threw a fit that he wanted to see the Zamboni first.  After knocking on the door of the garage, the guy working said he'd be doing it "soon".  Whenever that would be.  We told him we were going.  He screamed and yelled and carried on.  Next thing you know the garage door opens and out comes the Zamboni!  We stayed until he was done and Sean thanked him nicely.  Ryan seemed to enjoy watching too.  

Sean and Papa started a routine of playing cards before bed.  He was doing a great job of identifying who had the bigger number.  Daddy plays with him now...such fun!

Christmas At Grandma & Grandpa's

On the Thursday before Christmas, we gathered at Grandma and Grandpa's for our celebration.  We exchanged gifts with everyone... and 2nd birthday presents for Annika and Austin... and enjoyed a good meal during our visit.  As you can tell from the pictures below, getting 5 kids, 4 and under to cooperate for a photo is next to impossible!

Ryan took a little time out to make some calls!

Sean disappeared for a while and this guy turned up, thanks to his present from the kids.

Annika helped Ryan open his.

Grandma showing off her present, a heart for her necklace. It has all of the grandkids names engraved on it, next to their birthstone.  All in birth order... nicely done Nick!

Annika and Ryan having some fun.

Look out, Ryan's got some new wheels!

Sean got a Smart Cycle.  He wasn't sure about it at first... but now... he LOVES it.

The boys are also whipping up some great stuff in their new kitchen.

Thanks, Grandma, Grandpa, Nick, Jeannette, Annika, Austin, Grandma Erm and Granny for all of our wonderful gifts and especially for being you!