Arizona 2015

Our winter holiday just wouldn't feel right without our annual voyage to Arizona to see Grandma/Grandpa/Auntie Colleen.

It's always a fun ride at View Point!

A fine view of the desert.

Playground pals.

Static slide.

Grinning guy.

Books with Grandpa.

Beer sampling!

The tye-dye gang!

MOMENTS: All Wonderfully Fulfilling

Our kids keep us, and everyone else around them, moving! Grandma playing soccer with Tavish ... then napping shortly after with Keva is proof! Tavish had his first official haircut with Daddy and Mommy admits that there's probably no turning back after that demonstration of improved skill. We rode the park train and drove the golf cart. We went to Butterfly Wonderland. Swam. Picked grapefruit. Went on desert hikes. Read books. Played in playgrounds and Grandpa's parking spot. Played tag anywhere they could. Went for a bike riding adventure. Sampled some local brew with Auntie Colleen and Andrew. Watched some tv with Grandpa. Tavish showed up everyone with his basketball skills. Keva's skills were a slam dunk. Dined and crafted. Then ultimately had to leave after a wonderfully fulfilling 2 weeks together.

Merry Christmas 2015

Another wonderful season to celebrate together.

Santa Visit

They Made a List...

...Checking it Twice

"C" is for Cookie

New Name Ornaments from Grandpa Mike 

Arriving in Style!

Christmas time Clowning around

Christmas Dinner

MOMENT: Ho! Ho! Ho!

The kids got to work right away upon our arrival... there were lists to make and mail, lights to see, cookies to decorate, cards to make, gifts to wrap, Santa to feed, gifts to receive, meals to eat, and celebrating to do!

TTC Travel Smiles

Our journey to Arizona begins with TTC travels...

MOMENT: Smiles Warm Hearts

On our epic TTC trip to the airport on a hairy Friday after work with the kids, Tavish, Keva, and I were pinned in our seats by our luggage and laughing about all sorts of things. Out of nowhere Tavish says "I really like your smile". Heart melted, smiling and giggles continued...

"The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step"

- Lao Tzu

'Tis the 2015 Holiday Season

'Tis the season to be jolly!

Seasonal Santas!

Urban Tree Cutting

The Lights of our Life

Reindeer Keva

Reindeer Tavish

Christmas with Grandpa Mike...

...but without Daddy for a few days!

Christmas with Caeli

MOMENT: Month of Festive Feelings

We went to the Beach to see Santa light up the trees along the boardwalk. We checked out the Brickworks festivities and did some caroling. We got a tree to decorate along... with our home and ourselves! We did crafts and created gifts. We enjoyed Tavish's holiday concert at school. We pre-Christmas'd with Grandpa Mike and Caeli. We even had an unexpected adventure of Daddy hanging out in the hospital for 6 days...but 'tis the season to be jolly, so we kept our spirits high in his absence while we awaited our holiday time together!

Fashionista

Keva isn't super assertive in choosing her clothing, but when she does, it's sure to impress...

MOMENT: Miss Independent

On this particular day, she had an interest in shoes ... and wearing a skirt ... and generally going where she'd like and trying on what she'd like. It was wonderfully random and fun to watch. She has a more refined preference for shoes than I do, I'll give her that!

Squeaky Clean

October 15, 2015

Every adventure needs to be tidied up eventually ... these little adventurers even make splashing memorable.

MOMENT: Splash Time Ends With a Song

November 18, 2015

Local Baseball

Nothing brings together the community like a pick up baseball game at the nearby park.

MOMENT: Dads and Lads

It ended up mostly being the boys from the street who gathered at the park with their bats and gloves, often bringing along a parent to play as well. It became a bit of a weekly event in the fall. Whoever was around joined in. No striking out in this game, all swings and smiles!

Side Trip to Ottawa

November 6. 2015

It's the beginning of the turning-40 birthday celebrations being kicked off in Ottawa ... so away we went!

Daddy and Keva play with the camera

Tavish & Beckett 'hikimg'

Hanging with the Richardson's

MOMENT: Fall Colours and Friends

Arriving at the door of Grandpa's house is always welcoming AND there's shawarma right across the street! We checked out some fall colours and played with friends. Thankful...

Yoga Boys

Tavish and his buddy, Riley, gathered together for the sake of yoga...

MOMENT: Theme Inspiration

Sure, there may have been a Star Wars theme that inspired them to participate in said yoga, but it happened and here's the proof!

Halloween 2015

This is quite the holiday around here...

MOMENTS: Party that Keeps Happening

Pumpkin carved? Check. House decorated? Check. Costumes made? Check!

Time to party!

Party with friends? Check. Parade with classmates? Check. Trick or treating? Check!

Dentist Time for Keva

October 20, 2015

It's a right of passage ... and the time came for Keva's teeth to be cleaned by the dentist.

MOMENT: Let Us Help You Smile

Keva was a super trooper! Well, for the first part. She never did submit to the pink glitter being put on her teeth. She's the strong silent type - polishing just simply was not going to happen. Her resistance was calm but firm. The whole experience was positive and hey, leaving with a balloon is pretty cool...

Giving Thanks 2015

Thanksgiving brought us to a provincial park cabin rentals with the Gambles!

  

MOMENT: Camping in Class

It was a lovely weekend. We had much to be thankful for...healthy children, fresh air, wonderful food, great company...