Christmas Day

Getting ready for Santa...this was a bit stressful for Julia. She was afraid that Santa was going to pass her by. Even though we've been in Sarnia for every one of her Christmases, since the tree that usually was in the basement was now replaced by a smaller one and put upstairs, she's was sure there would be some confusion. As well, there was no fireplace for her stocking. Everything was topsy-turvy this year.

Hence the sign...I wish it said "Santa stop here, please.

All her efforts paid off - Santa found us.

Here's the reply to the note Julia left for him. Julia wanted to leave a gift for Santa this year, and decided on the snow globe you see on the table. Santa was most appreciative, but said she should keep it and put it out next year along with the little sign so he'd be sure to find her.

Julia and her puppies on their new cozy dog bed -- this was her number one request. New members of the pet family - Honey, the little pup in the middle (she's my favourite), and Bella the white and grey puppy.

Here they all are in action...Please don't call the SPCA -- despite how it looks (poor Spots on the left) no puppies were hurt during the production of this video.

Noreen and Julia enjoy a game of Operation -- lots of new ailment now - very different from the version we had as kids. Some bathroom humour and some technology injuries (cell phone finger)

Another nostalgic gift -- I gave Carmel these two DVDs - The Homecoming and The House without a Christmas Tree - two made-for-TB movies we loved as kids, both circa 1970s--anyone else of a certain age remember these? They brought Carmel to tears.

Julia poses in front of our family's 15 stockings.

Dad was pleased to get this tree of jams - all his favourites.

Julia and I enjoy a snuggle buggle.

It was a windy and rainy Christmas Day and we were worried that Mom wouldn't be up to facing the elements, but she came to life when she got to Carmel's. I love this picture; she really looks like herself, like the mom we know and love. A bonus to see her smile for this photo with the grandkids. It is so precious.

Father and son.

This one I think is the best photo of the whole day.

Nana and her girlies.

A thoughtful moment with Noreen.

My grown-up neices/god daughters, all pretty in purple.

The cousins before they began the gift exchange.

Christmas wouldn't be complete without the Quality Street games. First guessing how many were in the tin (77 this year - Julia and Papa were tied for being the closest), and a new tradition started last year by Julia - creating a picture with the candies.

This year's creation - a Southampton sunset - only 6 months until we see the real thing.A very special treat this year was a gift from Katie -- she compiled family photos and videos to make a DVD - it was wonderful to watch. I'm so proud of her -- all her work -a true labour of love to make such a gift that will be treasured. The home videos of the future I guess will go this way. Thank goodness we have Katie and Owen, our IT whiz kids to navigate this future for us.

Just another one of our many blessings. Hope you all had a wonderful day with your families.

The Torch warms our hearts

Back in July while on a visit home, I first learned that the Olympic torch was coming to Sarnia on Christmas Eve. There was a little article in the local paper that said the torch would be coming to Sarnia again after its visit in 1988 for the Calgary Olympics. I made a "note-to-self" to remember to include this event in our holiday plans.



That seems so long ago now - but the time came that we were home and excited to see the torch again. I never thought that Julia and I see it twice in the same torch relay -- what a privelege--and to be able to share it with our family in Sarnia -- even better. Noreen landed home with Olympic mitts for everyone -- here she is with the swag that RBC was handing out. What a proud sponsor she is.

We were positioned outside the bank b/c there was going to be switch in runners there that we would be able to see. Here you can see the torch "kiss".

It was a cold day -- no snow in Sarnia mind you -- Carmel and I huddle and high five to keep warm.

Unfortunately, Julia left her Canada hat back home, but we were warm in our Canada mitts and Olympic fleece sweaters that will come with us when we go to China.

Papa joins in the fun with the Metro signs.

Goofy grin from Ralph.

This is the bus that carries the torch bearers and back-up torches. The mitt out the window belongs to the last runner who was going to bring the torch the final 300 metres to the Olympic cauldron for lighting. Carmel is grinning and crying with excitment and emotion.

This runner became an instant celebrity -- every one wanted pictures taken with him.He was the buddy that ran by us - see video below. I found out after that he's from Newmarket - what a coincidence.

Another three seconds of excellence. We look forward to seeing the last runner bring the torch into the Olympic stadium in Vancouver on February 12, 2010.

The Gingerbread Train Tradition

Part of our Christmas tradition is the making of the gingerbread with the cousins. We use a "no fail" recipe that produces the best I've tasted. The decorations vary from year to year -- and the design elements are always a surprize, but the tradition of the gingerbread train goes on. It's referred to as "The Gingerbread Train" because we stop in Waterloo first and do a batch and then on to Sarnia.


This year Christine added the crown and reindeer to my cutter collection.

And this year, in honour of what we think is our 15th anniversary --

I fashioned the gingerbread train from assorted cutters.
Julia's fashionista gingerbread gal.

Christine was distracted from the cookie making by our free version of the video game Peggle.

Shaun's nordic-style reindeer.

Owen's nuclear waste forest of trees.

Jack's snack attack - this buddy reminded me of King Julian of the lemmers in Madagascar.

Maggie's pretty star.

Shaun taking a break with some icing packs.

Decorating is stressful work.

This was a milestone moment for me - both in Waterloo and in Sarnia, the girls -- Julia, Maggie and Sara-- took over the mixing and kneading of the dough. Usually that was my job -- but now that we have big girls, it was wonderful to pass the tradition on to them.

There were no shortage of treats left for Santa. And this is the first year that we even had a fight over gingerbread, when someone ate someone else's special Christmas tree. I guess they were more invested in the tradition than I thought.

The Hamster Whisperer

A Chirstmas miracle -- of sorts! -- all chronicled now as my first post on the new laptop. Thanks, Santa!

In Waterloo yesterday, Cousin Owen, without a blink of an eye, took Butterscotch out of her cage without incident! His calming effect showed us a new side of our previously "skittish" pet.

Soon upon arrival at the cousins, Julia wanted to hold Pete, Jack's hamster. It was so funny to see her so casual holding her second cousin. And then be so fretful about her own, but we must keep in mind that Pete's disposition is quite different from Butterscotch -- Julia says it's because Pete is OLD...

So here is the hamster whisperer beginning his magic....Butterscotch taking in the view.

A blurry shot of Butterscotch -- that's our new lap in bottom left corner, featuring Peggle, a free trial that was used for about 5 hours yesterday -- accumulating over 14 million points with family-group effort -- another post altogether....anyway back to the hamster

Here he is making the transfer to Julia -- her first time holding her pet.



There still was a skittish side to Butterscotch -- and Julia has tiny hands -- so she very quickly was taken by surprise when the little buddy was on the move...up her arm.

"My hands are too small," Julia exclaims.

Another try, another cuddle.

So we did it a few more times last night -- and Julia was getting more comfortable --- but still not fully at ease, but great strides were made.

So now, not only is Owen my IT guy; he is now the guy who gave Julia her pet, in real time.

Christmas Cheer

Julia and I are off to start our holidays in Waterloo and then on to Sarnia. Here are some shots of how we have been celebrating at home in Newmarket.

The tree almost all done by Julia -- I have the pleasure of doing the lights. 

After 25 years  -- one of my twinkle light strands twinkled for the last time.

The top of the tree is not lit as a result - -

we had light for 2 days and then darkness. 

Have purchased a new set already for next year.

Julia sporting her ski gear, thanks to Moe and Alyse.

Paul and Jan came for a little visit - we were excited to spoil Maelynn with her first Christmas in our hearts.  Can't wait to spoil her in person next year!

Even Butterscotch's cage has been trimmed for the season.

The glow of the hearth -- that's Butterscotch's stocking in the centre.

Our Advent tree is on the floor to the left of the fireplace.

Love my new mantle decor from Deer Ridge Farm.

And our holiday photo -- happy to wish all of your the best of the season. 

Stay tuned with posts from our travels.

Can't wait to follow all of your adventures.

Christmas Pioneer Style

To kick off the holidays, Moe and I took the girls to Black Creek Pioneer Village to see how Christmas was done back in the day.  I hadn't been there for 20 years! It was a great day to see it through the eyes of the girls.

This is the tinshop - loved the way it was decorated on the outside-- garlands of cedar and apples. All of the buildings were done up so well, but this was my favourite. Hard to see all the tin decorations in the windows.

The girls say a few prayers in the Fisherville church on the 4th Sunday of Advent. 

Small world connection - Fisherville was originally a little hamlet at the corner of Dufferin and Steeles. Moe and I met when we taught at Our Lady of the Rosary just a block north of there. When I taught Gr. 7/8 history part of our studies included the local area back in the days of Lower Canada, and I remember taking a picture of the historic sign of Fisherville to show the class. And here we were 22 years later with our girlies. Also of note -- we think our friend Shelley was married in this church.

The girls try their hands at cursive writing on a slate board.

Julia and I were interested in how we would have done our red pepper jelly back in the day.

A pioneer tradition - to stir the mincemeat three times for good luck.

This could be a Christmas card shot.

A bit blurry, but light the lighting on this one. The tree in the oringial Stong homestead of 1813.

It was a three room log home (very Little House on the Prairie) that housed 5 boys, 2 girls and ma and pa.

Getting redy to sample the molasses taffy.

Some gooey goodness and sticky fingers.

Julia and I outside the doctor's house.