Okay, so they didn't get posted by the end of the actual birthday day, but they are making it up by the end of my next day off :-) As per our tradition, Ali and Jack and Kitty came to wake us up and jump in bed to open presents on Tuesday morning. She was raring to go and still unsure of exactly what 12 should feel like. A lot of gifts were received a bit early this year, such as her ear piercing, contacts, and new bedroom duvet and sheets (which haven't arrived yet...), however, there were still a few things to open!
The birthday girl

Kitty explaining her "gifts" to Alison















Twilight - yippee! And Rockband - oh yea!




The birthday girl is ready for her big day at school and a lunch out with Mom and Dad

At the end of the day after swimming and dance and a good long chat with big sister, Linsey, we enjoyed an ice cream cake complete with sprinkles and an attempt at a written birthday wish :-)

Alison turns 12!!!!!

Here's my baby girl when she first arrived in Canada almost 12 years ago. It was a few days before Christmas and we had arrived from a balmy 80 degree Dallas day to a -40 degree evening with horizontal snow! Isn't she cute?!?! What a bundle to such a beauty. I am certain we had no idea in 1996 that we would end up building a home and a life in Saskatchewan, but here we are and Alison is certainly flourishing. We had a lovely morning with presents and an omlette breakfast and then Dennis and I were able to take her out to lunch at Earl's for a grown up treat. We have a busy evening ahead with swimming and dance, but I will post the rest of the photos before the end of the day. Happy Birthday darling! I love you :-)

Thanks Facebook :-)

Okay y'all, just have to say, I am loving Facebook and quite seriously should join a Facebook Anonymous rehab group - I'm addicted!! I love seeing all of my old high school chums, my relatives, my buddies and what they are all up to. It truly brings me joy. So bring it on and add me as your friend and let's check each others status :-)

Canadian Thanksgiving with the Nichols

We had a bright, crisp, gorgeous fall day on which to celebrate Thanksgiving 2008. We arrived a little ahead of schedule, but we just couldn't wait to come and enjoy all the food, friendship and fun that awaited us at the Nichol's house. Tannis always spoils us with such good home cooking! Our blessings are many here in Saskatchewan, and the Nichols continue to keep their spot at the top of our list :-) Thanks y'all as always for opening up your home and your hearts to us. We love you...

Tannis and I enjoying our FIRST glass of wine prior to donning our aprons


Here is Ali, our photographer for much of the day, finding a quiet moment to capture a self portrait!

Happy Hubbys!














Happy Kids!

















Taking a moment before the 10 minute mad dash to complete supper is on and having a giggle!!

















The calm before the storm













The bird she is ready - yum yum!!!















Green beans and gravy - oh yeah :-)


Dennis has the power - but doesn't know where to plug it in! Any ideas, Tannis?!















Carving the bird and the assembly buffet is ready...

God is great, God is good, Thank you God for this food :-)

















Working off some dinner by playing the new Wii Fit!!!!

The ladies enjoying some pumpkin pie and a quiet moment - aaaahhhh!

The Birthday Weekend

This is 7 a.m. on Friday morning!! They were so excited about turning eight that they simply couldn't wait another minute to wake us up and begin the celebration :-)






















































Then it was off to Regina, Saskatchewan and Chuck E. Cheese...

Jackson is pedaling in his flying trapeze













Kitty is caught behind some mesh bars


The kids are all busting a move with Chuck E. himself!!


Happy Birthday Jack and Kitty - you have now spent your first official day as 8 year olds!


The birthday party chapter....

Matt, Jack, Colton, Michael and Noah

Marie, Julia, Nikayla, Kitty, Adrienne and Sarah





Everybody has concessions and is ready to watch "Beverly Hills Chihuahua"











Ay Caramba!!!






Birthday cupcakes to be enjoyed by all after a lovely pizza lunch...


















We had a great time and Jack and Kitty received many wonderful gifts from all of their friends! Thanks to everyone who made their birthday weekend so special :-)

Happy 8th Birthday Jackson and Kathryn!!!

Well, not quite 8 years ago, Jackson and Kathryn entered the world. It will be 8 years exactly at 10:03 p.m. and 10:26 p.m. EST. My how my world changed during those moments!!! We have had a beautiful morning with pancakes and presents :-) We are now off to Regina to do some shopping and find the one and only Chuck E. Cheese in Saskatchewan - yippee!! I will take photos along the way and post tonight. Happy Birthday to my twin blessings. I love you.

No new pictures; no free time.

Life in the past week, has been , well LIFE. Totally full, totally blessed and totally crazy. Dennis and I are dividing our time between meeting friends for coffee chats a couple of times per week, trying to grab a lunch together here and there and otherwise permanently behind the wheel ferrying the kids to and fro. Our Tuesday schedule now consists of Ali swimming straight after school, changing the twins for dance and feeding them a snack while they do homework at the pool, driving them to dance, returning to pick up Ali, feeding her dinner, going to the library for homework time, dropping her off at dance when I pick up Jack and Kitty, feeding them, returning to grab Ali and home by 8:30 p.m., which we left at 8:30 a.m.!!! Not all the other days are quite as hectic, yet they all do contain some form of extracurricular this or that. So, needless to say there has been no time for candid photography lately, but I promise that once this schedule becomes a routine, and it must, I'll just throw my camera in my bag and go with it y'all!!

Peace be with you and maybe a nice glass of wine...