End of the holidays

Since Christmas day I've had some cold or flu.  Today symptoms are letting up and we had a normal routine of school (minus any teacher reading to save my voice).  It was awfully nice to be back in routine. 

A few days ago, Matthew asked when Daddy would go back to work again, so he could do his school again-because he had an exciting letter coming up in his book.  Matthew then demonstrated the shape of the aforesaid letter in a very dramatic fashion.  Daniel and Jennifer were also pleased to have the structure again.  Surprisingly, Nathan and Melanie also did not complain to get back into it-I'm sure it helped having less schoolwork than some days. ;)

We had company for oliebollen day this year, with two uncles and their better halves.  It was made even more pleasant by the fact that my bad cold and lack of voice didn't allow for me too say much. :p

Jennifer surprised me by taking to her Uncle, after only having seen him Christmas day, plus time last Christmas season when she was teensy.

 

The kids enjoyed some quality time with adults they have heard about a lot, but seen very little of.  In our house, books are one of the best ice breakers and conversation starters-and ever so relevant topics!

Daddy had to make the oliebollen, otherwise it wouldn't have been a party.  We all enjoyed the results of his hard work. 

We have a lot to be thankful for this past year.  It is hard to remember it all, but looking back a year a lot has changed, especially how much the kids have grown!  It's been a relatively ordinary year, but very busy-it just flew by!

Holiday in the prairies!

Seems so long ago, and yet I still can vividly recollect the relaxed feeling of my 6 day vacation. Jennifer and I left the rest of the family behind, put our feet up, and graciously accepted all that our hosts had to offer.

We enjoyed lots of smiles and silliness from the younger members of the family. :) This served a double purpose, one to fill a few of the empty spaces we left behind, and also to make us eager to go back home to fill our spaces again.

Evan is as bad as some of my children, when it comes to posing seriously for the camera! I caught him inbetween faces as he prepared to leave for school one morning.

Someone studious.

I really enjoyed this walking trail that I didn't expect to find in such flat land. It was mildly hilly, but gorgeously surrounded by trees, and, unusually covered with snow on the branches.

Jennifer thrived off of the attention she received from the kids, since she did miss her siblings, especially when Evan was off to school! On the pillows you can see one of the 30 or more houses Emily built (she makes them out of everything imaginable!) and showed me.

Evan spent a lot of time with Lego, and great at demonstrating how to play with what he made too!

And there is me, totally relaxed and ready to dive back into the beehive back home!

Twins

Nathan says: "Mom, Jennifer and I are twins. We were born on the same day and we're both babies!"

"You're sure a lot bigger than your twin, Nathan", says I.
"That's cause I grew faster!"

Home again

Home again
Home again
Jiggety Jig.

(Yes, I read more kid books than adult literature...)

We had an nice holiday and stayed an extra day for the birthday man. He loved his multiple birthday cards.

The kids were surprised that he didn't get a card with his gifts from other people. ;)


The kids enjoyed games and cuddles. I didn't take any pictures of Jennifer all trip, so I'll have to ask for some from our hosts!


We drove home all in one day, as opposed to the usual two day with a stop over--since the weather was fantastic! So as a reward/apology to the kids for the half hour grump/cry/scream (jennifer was the scream) we took them to a wave pool.

All went well 'til a crocodile mat knocked out Nathan's sideways remaining front tooth. It hadn't even been wiggly yet--so it was a bit premature. It was a somewhat messy and traumatizing business. But now Nathan is quite pleased with the results. Now that the mess is behind him, and he still found money under his pillow, despite the fact that his tooth may still be at the bottom of the pool!
Ain't he handsome!

Cousin time

Warming up with hot chocolate--since we did have a few days below zero lately! (Early this morning it was 11 degrees already!!)


Jennifer is in the middle of the action! (No hot chocolate though.)


The older two challenging each other--it was interesting to watch. Evan was the most aggressive player, and looked like he'd win easily, but Nathan just managed to squeak around him, and won after all.

A non strategy game went over better for the younger ones.

Emily found it was even better to collect all the marbles. She wouldn't tell me where she'd horded them--and when I found her stash she was very offended that I put it away with the rest of the game!

Daniel really admires Emily,

It was sure cute to see how he looked up to her, copied her, and followed her around. Especially since he usually acts so macho. He calls his doggy "baby" a bunny sometimes now, since Emily also has a blanket bear, and her's is a bunny.

Last few weeks of life

So I finally emptied my camera, and b/c of lack of time/energy/caring, here the best ones are, in order of time, not in any other sort of pattern or neatness. Better this than nothing. :p

Gorgeous girl doing her second favourite activity. Although, it may be third if smiling rates second. Hard to know, she hasn't actually told me which she likes more. Feeding is number one, of course!

More sleeping.

Nathan made this. There's a railroad set up. But the blocks are a church. You can see the people on the pews, and the minister on the pulpit. At the back are other rooms, like the nursery.

There he is--contemplating a new project no doubt!

Daniel is contemplating demolishing the next project. (Actually, he's getting much better at leaving things alone--unless someone antagonizes him!)

Chubbyness.




Same clothes, same chair, same activity...different day.

Procrastinating chores

Marvelling at the miracle.

Sort of smiling.

Finally holding his sister! I'd avoided it for a few weeks...hoping to avoid it entirely--for Jennifer's safety!

Daniel thinks "Hmm...how do I stuff this in when her mouth is shut?"

Helping Grandma make my house look presentable.

"Isn't Jennifer a pretty name, Mom?"

Kids helping Grandma make my outdoors look presentable.

Big smiles!

'Nother clean up time.

Nathan playing games with his sister.

Melanie making stuff for her birthday.

"Don't you like the tent Jennifer?" asks Nathan. (If Matthew or Daniel had been upstairs I'd have forbidden this, just 'cause I know they'd try!!)

We love Jennifer.
Daniel: "Jenna, baby!" (He gives Jennifer his baby for a while to share.)
Matthew: "Jennifer can go camping with us next time!"
"Mommy Jennifer is crying, she wants to come out!"
Melanie: "Mommy, I wish there was only you and me and Daddy and Jennifer. And none of the boys were here."
Nathan: "You are so cute. You are SO cute. You are so CUTE." (Jennifer was cooing to him.)

Family Time

I stole these pics from Mom's memory card--as you can see, she likes doing group shots! Of course, she had scads more pics of other things.

Baptism

Jennifer Alina
With Great Grandmother Mrs. Ali G.

Jennifer with Aunt Cec.


The whole family--we are so blessed!

We enjoyed a whole sermon on baptism, since that is where the minister was at in the afternoon sermons. Very fitting!