We enjoyed a neat Christmas-themed event while down in Arizona in a church parking lot. It was well run and had some great activities tailored for children...
MOMENT: Activity Heaven
Tavish, accompanied by 5 adults and his baby sister, took in all of the sites, sounds, smells, and tastes of what it would have been like in Bethlehem. He helped make some bread that he got to eat (and share...a teeny bite for each of us); decorated some pottery with great care and detail; wove a basket with the help of Grandma; added cloves to an orange after smelling some spices; heard some excellent music; hung out with some farm animals; and then - the highlight - dressed up in period clothing for a family outing captured!
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Terrific Travelers
Our journey between home and Arizona is a long one requiring two flights and a late arrival on both ends... with two children who like the stimulation to stop before surrendering to sleep. This alone is enough to create concern for the parents traveling with two children. However, our children (knock on wood) seem to be wonderful traveling companions ... other than staying awake longer than normal.
MOMENT: Complimented Companions
Our children are wonderful. Yes, we recognize that there could be some small bias in that opinion. However, we doubt it even more now based on the numerous compliments we received from random passengers about how enjoyable our little ones are because they are "great travelers". Sure, Tavish was granted the use of the Ipod Touch for one leg and Keva still nurses, but we take the praise when we get it. Bottom line though, it's always worth the journey to be with family. The hardest part is always leaving...
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| Luggage hauler |
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| Tavish ready for take off |
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| Keva the co-pilot |
MOMENT: Complimented Companions
Our children are wonderful. Yes, we recognize that there could be some small bias in that opinion. However, we doubt it even more now based on the numerous compliments we received from random passengers about how enjoyable our little ones are because they are "great travelers". Sure, Tavish was granted the use of the Ipod Touch for one leg and Keva still nurses, but we take the praise when we get it. Bottom line though, it's always worth the journey to be with family. The hardest part is always leaving...
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Holiday Concert
Another year. Another super cute Christmas concert.
MOMENT: Toddlers are Fun
One can't help but find these things to be sweetly entertaining. I couldn't resist including the first clip which doesn't show Tavish ... it just embodies how sweet kids are at this age ... and the accompanying music is priceless. Sit back and enjoy as these cuties wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year...
MOMENT: Toddlers are Fun
One can't help but find these things to be sweetly entertaining. I couldn't resist including the first clip which doesn't show Tavish ... it just embodies how sweet kids are at this age ... and the accompanying music is priceless. Sit back and enjoy as these cuties wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year...
Christmas at Home
We enjoyed our annual pre-Christmas festivities with Grandpa Mike where a new tent stole the show...
MOMENT: Tent-full Fun
We had a lovely roast beef dinner before we all went off on our respective holiday trips. We try to keep the emphasis off of gifts in our family by giving only one present to each child from us and one from Santa. This year, we decided to team up with Grandpa Mike to make Tavish a tent with a bed that we made for him (fine, Tom was the sewer for the entire project ... I have other strengths). It was one super-duper and an instant hit!
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We had a lovely roast beef dinner before we all went off on our respective holiday trips. We try to keep the emphasis off of gifts in our family by giving only one present to each child from us and one from Santa. This year, we decided to team up with Grandpa Mike to make Tavish a tent with a bed that we made for him (fine, Tom was the sewer for the entire project ... I have other strengths). It was one super-duper and an instant hit!
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| Opening the pillow bed to go inside... |
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| ...his tent! |
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| Keva making herself at home |
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| Family time |
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| It's time for a family feast! |
Saturday, January 12, 2013
Christmas Past
We went on a Christmas adventure to visit 1920s and 30s rural village life at Cumberland Heritage Museum with some family friends. What an adventure it was...
MOMENT: Old Time Fun
Our first trip to this place will not be our last. We were invited to send a telegram to Santa (to which he later replied); were given an envelope of pennies to send the telegram, make an ornament, and build an airplane; went on a sleigh ride; had a roasted marshmallow by a campfire; decorated a gingerbread man; sang some carols; signed the 'nice' list AND spoke with Santa to tell him that Tavish would like "a book about trains" and that Keva would like "a chew toy" (according to her big brother). Life in the 1920s and 30s did not disappoint!
MOMENT: Old Time Fun
Our first trip to this place will not be our last. We were invited to send a telegram to Santa (to which he later replied); were given an envelope of pennies to send the telegram, make an ornament, and build an airplane; went on a sleigh ride; had a roasted marshmallow by a campfire; decorated a gingerbread man; sang some carols; signed the 'nice' list AND spoke with Santa to tell him that Tavish would like "a book about trains" and that Keva would like "a chew toy" (according to her big brother). Life in the 1920s and 30s did not disappoint!
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Holiday Cheer
MOMENT: Smile!
Here's a collection of some (okay, many) of the finest photos one can take at home with white sheets, a lamp on it's side, the self-timer and a great looking family (who happens to be humble). Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas!
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| Where it all began |
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| Our boy at 3 1/2 years |
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| Our girl at 6 months |
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| A lady and her babies |
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| Simple sweetness |
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| Siblings looking out for each other |
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| Hands to hold |
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| Daddy and his darlings |
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| Feeding trumps photos |
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| That's better |
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| Comfort of a kiss |
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| Santa hat special #1 |
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| Santa hat special #2 |
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| Santa hat special #3 |
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| Sophisticated son |
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| Silliness ensues |
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| Even Rudolph's nose goes in the mouth |
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| A seriously happy (and festive) family |
Randy the Reindeer
There was a little extra magic added to December this year in the form of a little reindeer named Randy ...
MOMENT: Hidden Pleasures
We started something new this year to build excitement for Christmas. Every morning, Tavish would find "Randy the Reindeer" somewhere with a note written in a rhyming couplet (of course) that told us what Christmas activity we would do that day. On top of the note was a number that told us how many days were left until Santa came. There was also a calendar where Tavish crossed off the day before bed.
Randy found himself in lots of fun places and his writer found themself writing couplets late in the evening at times (once post-feed in the middle of the night even - whoops!). He even made the trek with us to Arizona. We all had a great time doing the activities he told us to do from baking and caroling to crafting and playing. Now we all have 11 months to recover! ha.
MOMENT: Hidden Pleasures
We started something new this year to build excitement for Christmas. Every morning, Tavish would find "Randy the Reindeer" somewhere with a note written in a rhyming couplet (of course) that told us what Christmas activity we would do that day. On top of the note was a number that told us how many days were left until Santa came. There was also a calendar where Tavish crossed off the day before bed.
Randy found himself in lots of fun places and his writer found themself writing couplets late in the evening at times (once post-feed in the middle of the night even - whoops!). He even made the trek with us to Arizona. We all had a great time doing the activities he told us to do from baking and caroling to crafting and playing. Now we all have 11 months to recover! ha.
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