I did it!!!!

Wow! 365 posts and photos and comments. A year of our life in pictures and memories. It was easier in some respects then I thought it would be - taking the pictures that is. Staying on top of the journaling, well that took a bit more effort.

I am so glad that we now have this keepsake of our life at this time. 50 years from now we will be able to look back and marvel at the changes - changes within our family, our lives and society even. Glimpses of our everyday life. I wish that I had a keepsake like this of my grandparents lives. I hope that our kids will enjoy looking at this year of their life in the years to come.

God bless!
Alison

Day 365!!!!! Thursday, December 31, 2009

We spent the early part of the evening skating with friends who rented out the local ice rink. That is, after we bought Marlee new skates. We're not quite sure where they are but were sure they were too small anyway.

Friends came over to watch Up with us and returned home before midnight so I brought in the new year by myself as Drew pretty much slept through it!

Happy New Year!!!!

Day 364 - Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Gearing up for the new ski season. I think these are a little small.

Day 363 - Tuesday, December 29, 2009

We saw Sean and family today - the kids had such a great time and of course there were more toys involved.

Day 362 - Monday, December 28, 2009

Another recent acquisition. She is noisy and likes to sing High School Musical. We have heard it a LOT.

Day 361 - Monday, December 27, 2009

Right back to normal routine - feeding Puffel and Teddy (both newly acquired) at the table.

Day 360 - Saturday, December 26, 2009

Our cousins were able to join us for the day...

And Uncle John taught Matt how to play Axel F on the piano!

Day 359 - Friday, December 25, 2009

It was a blessed day yet again. We were all spoiled and enjoyed a great day together and with extended family. Highlights included a new SLR camera for me, lego for Matt, a DVD player and dvd's for Cierra, funky socks and toys for Marlee and an assortment of list items for Drew.

Day 358 - Thursday, December 24, 2009

Marlee lost her first tooth (of normal causes) - and is so excited to get money on Christmas!

Day 357 - Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Finally getting the year end gift albums done!

Day 356 - Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Happy Birthday buddy!!!! I can't believe our baby is 7 years old! He wanted birthday balloons in his room as well as the birthday banners (I LOVE these traditions!), and Lucky Charms for breakfast. We celebrated later with a party at the church with a number of friends, a jumping slide, jumping castle, mini stick hockey and pizza and cake. He considered it a great success.

Day 355 - Monday, December 21, 2009

Matthew spent time preparing his thank you cards for his upcoming birthday party (tomorrow). We give thank you cards with a $5 gift card to Toys 'R Us rather then loot bags.

Day 354 - Sunday, December 20, 2009

I was honoured at church today for my role as Director of Children's Ministry (of which I am retiring) and later in the evening we joined a number of members to go caroling. Surprisingly the kids were much more gung ho then I thought they would be! It turned out to be a lot of fun.

Day 353 - Saturday, December 19, 2009

Marlee helped me make apple crisp for my staff dinner later tonight and also for OOTC next week.

Day 352 - Friday, December 18, 2009

We've finally got enough snow for the kids to be tobogganing on the front lawn again. They are so excited especially since we have new sleds to accommodate everyone!

Day 351 - Thursday, December 17, 2009

We walked home through the woods today (first time since we got snow) and Matt wrote a nice little note for me!

Day 350 - Wednesday, December 16, 2009

I had such a productive day today! At least 10 stores between 9 and 12pm! It works out to be a LOT of things off my Christmas list. YEY!

Day 349 - Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Marlee went to a birthday party yesterday and has been playing with the Chinese yo-yo ever since.

Day 348 - Monday, December 14, 2009

The interest in the advent reading and the Jesse Tree is still going strong!

Day 347 - Sunday, December 13, 2009

Even though we decided not to go with a live tree this year we still got the whole "tree experience" with my parents. We had to make an early trek home as Matt had a TT over some rope issue. [They pick the darndest things to get upset over!]

Day 346 - Saturday, December 12, 2009

We went to the annual baby group Christmas where the kids were visited by Santa (Cierra was with her grandma), and then we went to the church's annual Christmas dinner. it was a fast-paced but fun day with lots of visiting!

Day 345 - Friday, December 11, 2009

The kids decided a science experiment was on the agenda of the day. It involved carrots, soap bubbles, water, straws - you know, regular stuff. Oh and a lot of mess.

Day 344 - Thursday, December 2009

Yesterday marked 24 weeks.

Day 343 - Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Matthew did his last performance of The Best Christmas Present Ever - and did an awesome job. He did learn some things from the previous 2 performances such as keeping his nose clean, being gentle with his partner and generally how to have fun.

Day 342 - Tuesday, December 9, 2009

I finished my Holiday in Hand (Jessica Sprague) display. Many of the points are similar to Journal Your Christmas but I like the format and if I do say so myself, the presentation.

Day 341 - Monday, December 7, 2009

Marlee was so sweet with her prayers this evening... she "surprised" me and thanked God that she could read a book from the red bin (the next level up). She was so pleased with herself that she had indeed "surprised" me. I'm just glad that she is enjoying reading and it is beginning to show!

Day 340 - Sunday, December 6, 2009

Marlee went to Melissa's work Christmas party - how did she grow up so quickly and how does Melissa get her to wear these things? We also put up our Christmas tree today. For a fake one it's not as bad as I thought.

Day 339 - Saturday, December 5, 2009

We had 3 yards of dirt delivered for our backyard garden and to fill in uneven spots. Nothing like leaving it to the last minute. At least we did beat the snow. Drew shovelled it all as he didn't feel I should. Poor guy - it was so cold!

Day 338 - Friday, December 4, 2009

Drew surprised me with flowers!

Day 337 - Thursday, December 3, 2009

We made the most disgusting muffins today - from a "Girl Gourmet" kit. I don't know if they were just expired (I couldn't tell) or they were just gross but either way the kids still liked them. Go figure! Yechhhh!!!

Day 336 - Wednesday, December 2, 2009

I was inspired at the One of a Kind Show to add a new decoration. Simply sticks of dogwood and willow with mini Christmas balls on the ends. I really liked the result!

Day 335 - Tuesday, December 1, 2009

We woke up to our first real dusting of snow!

Day 334 - Monday, November 30, 2009

Drew's stitches on his belly - healing nicely but still grossing everyone out. He had to have another few moles removed and will continue to do so.

Day 333 - Sunday, November 29th, 2009

Lots of cards and some great purchases from the One of A Kind show. A few new necklaces, some apple cinnamon maple syrup (YUMMMM), and even a few gifts this time! I really like the Sunday afternoon time frame better then an evening. Oh and the company was great too (Thanks Kristy!)

Day 332 - Saturday, November 28, 2009

Matt and I spent the whole day at church where we reached out to the community and offered a free day of childcare so that parents could do Christmas shopping, errands, "whatever". The kids sang songs, learned about the real meaning of Christmas from "Billy Bob", played games, had snack and enjoyed an afternoon carnival. I had to leave before it was finished but I would certainly call the day a success.

Day 331 - Friday, November 27, 2009

We had a busy PA day here at home - 8 kids and lot of activities.

Day 330 - Thursday, November 26, 2009

We enjoyed our special treats from down south for breakfast and lunch today. Ya-ya just got back from Virginia Beach and always brings us things we can't get here.

Day 329 - Wednesday, November 25, 2009

The view is definitely changing.

Day 328 - Tuesday, November 24, 2009

We walked the long way home to go with A - the kids were so cute walking together .

Day 327 - Monday, November 23, 2009

All I want for Christmas is my two front teeth. Matt lost his 11th tooth today at school (no - not all "fell" out - some were pulled).

Day 326 - Sunday, November 22, 2009

From painting to the wall; the railing is put up with a little "help".

Day 325 - Saturday, November 21, 2009

Drew and I enjoyed a few nights away at the leader's retreat learning about discipleship, conflict

and reconciliation. Thanks to our in-laws for holding down the fort!

Day 324 - Friday, November 20, 2009

The magic of soap and water.

Day 323 - Thursday, November 19, 2009

Another beautiful day - so Marlee and "Flower" enjoyed some sun time in the back yard (along with C & C & K)