New Year's Eve, 7:43 P.M.

It was a two martini night for Great-Grandpa. 

Happy new year, everyone!

Festive Family Reunion

On Boxing Day, we packed up the van with as much as is cubically possible, including several of the brand new toys received the day before (excluding the car and the train table of course), and headed west on the 401 to Mississauga to meet up with Daddy's family. The Texans and the Winnipeggers each flew into the Big Smoke before Christmas and were anxious for the Ottawa cousins and the youngest of the six grandchildren to come into town to complete the celebration. After a slow start to the day and some typical Torontonian traffic issues, we finally arrived at Uncle Claude and Auntie Ida's place, eager to catch up with everyone. Isabelle took to her older cousins immediately, quickly getting acquainted and shortly after chasing, tackling and generally rough-housing to her heart's content. Oliver slowly got past his initial tentativeness and warmed up to everyone, especially enjoying sharing pretzels with Matthew and learning all about the game of air hockey in the basement.

On our second day there, Isabelle asked if she could have a sleepover so we cautiously headed back to Great-Grandpa's, wondering if we would be having our first night ever without our little girl in our midst. Turns out her ambition is grand but her courage wavers, as she called around 10:00, asking us to come and pick her up. This didn't dampen her enthusiasm for everyone, however, as she woke up asking when we could meet up again. We did just that, watching Dillon's hockey game, enjoying a nice lunch at Uncle Guy's employer Chili's, then spending our last night visiting and chatting before we turned in for the night.

It was so nice to see everyone again, and to introduce many of them to Oliver. The cousins are all great boys and each has a way with little ones. Matthew especially was tremendous with Isabelle and Oliver, tirelessly trying to entertain and play with them both whenever possible. It was amazing to see how much progress he and the others made with these two over such a short time frame. Isabelle adored all the boys and had a blast with nothing but free and unstructured time to play. Oliver stuck close to his Mom and Dad but could be coaxed into having fun too, just offer him a ball or some toys and he was right in the mix. The holidays are such a special time to us and it was a real treat to get to spend a good part of them with such wonderful people. We miss you guys already and look forward to when we can get the kids all together again for more hijinks!

Hey, Grandpapa, wanna play ball with me?

Chatting up her Uncle Guy

Pretzel party with Auntie Bonnie and Cousin Matthew

Her new best friend, always looking out for her

Girls can playflight too, dude!

Offering a guiding hand to his youngest cousin

A small girl chills out with the big boys

Air hockey master at work

Rink rats bundle up to watch Dillon take the ice

Cuddling cousins

Tough group shot to get! We got Oliver in place and happy and then gathered around him as fast as we could!

Turn Back the Clock Xmas Dinner

Many years ago, when the Bangays and the Andrews clans were growing up on the same street in Eastern Ottawa, Christmas Day dinner was an event that was not to be missed. Many years of fun times were spent between the two families, friendships that were built over the years and have been maintained ever since, culminating in new homes, weddings, children and the upcoming lakehouse in Quebec. 

We returned to old times this year for the holidays as we were invited to join the Andrews and the Hendricks for dinner on the evening of the 25th. We were excited to have such great and close friends to spend Christmas with, as well as the added bonus of having a reason to get dressed up and eat some awesome food! Isabelle and Oliver really enjoy the company of all the Andrews and were just as pumped to go over there and have some fun, Isabelle to goof around with her Auntie Menna, Oliver to pet and chase Elgin the golden retriever. 

It was so nice to be part of a big dinner with such super people. We got a lot closer to all of them over the past year, especially with the wedding and all its surrounding festivities, and we look forward to a 2011 where the friendship and the family atmosphere continues. Thanks to the Andrews for always being so good to us and for making us feel at home. We love you guys.

Rhiannon and Matt's beautiful placesettings and centerpieces

Daddy, daughter and a delicious dinner

Why eat when you can run around as much as possible?

The traditional Christmas crackers, always a big hit

Rhiannon opens Mommy's labour of love, The Wedding Scrapbook!

Mommy and Isabelle's masterful dessert display

Isabelle hangs with her best buds

Oliver plays around with his godfather

Showing off her Nutcracker gift. Isabelle even said at dinner, "Menna, you will be so thrilled to see my music box!".

Oliver enjoys a different type of Christmas cracker

Menna always has Isabelle wrapped around her finger

Thanks for inviting us, Rhiannon. We had a great time!

OMG...It's Christmas!!!

It seems like yesterday that we opened up Door #1 on the chocolate-filled advent calendar, thinking about how long it seemed until Christmas would actually arrive. Well, time passes quickly when you have a lot to do and here we are 3.5 weeks later, the four of us waking up to a December 25th that was festive and full of fun, family and friends. What a great day we had, starting with two super excited kids heading down the stairs, one that had some idea what was in store for her, the other following his sister blindly, ready for anything that was waiting for him, as long as it included treats of some sort. The stockings that were so carefully hung the night before were now packed to the limit and ready for some tiny little hands to dig in. Isabelle was bouncing from one end of the room to the other, saying such gems as "I bet Santa loves me and I love him!" and -at 8:30 in the morning- "I can't wait until next Christmas!". We had a typically busy day of stockings, breakfast (peameal bacon...thanks for forgetting it, Grandpa, we have the rest waiting for you!), gifts and lots of breaks to rest and enjoy new toys. After naptime, Isabelle and Oliver got to see what Santa left for them in the basement and were beyond thrilled. Oliver was ecstatic with his train table that promises to give him hours of enjoyment, while Isabelle was blown away by her Mercedes SUV, for now contained to our main floor but she is itching to take Oliver for a spin in the park once spring hits. Santa, just like all of our friends and family, was so good to these kids and to us. We appreciate all the cards, gifts and well wishes that we received from everyone. Your kindness and generosity is always far above and beyond what we can ever imagine and we thank you for thinking of us and especially Isabelle and Oliver. It's our friends and family that truly make Christmas the most special time of year. Merry Christmas to everyone, we love you so much!

I know we have the rest of the stocking to open, Mom, but let's read about Thomas first!

Cool horse, Isabelle, did you know I can do the "Neigh" sound perfectly?

Time for a break...or for Isabelle to break in her new Tiana bedding from Gran and Grandpa!

 Heads up, Oliver coming through on his wicked new Okiedog!

It looks and acts like a real dog, even barked while wrapped and under the tree! Isabelle, who has a like/dislike relationship with dogs, clearly loved this one, carrying it around the rest of the day.

An Elmo blanket?  I love that guy!

Oliver's fun filled train table, in the cleanest and best condition you'll ever see it.

Ooooh, this is awesome!

Tell her what she's won, Bob Barker...a new car!

Ah, what it's like to drive a luxury vehicle.

Actual photographic evidence that she let her brother take the wheel, something we may to remind when the snow disappears in April!

Isabelle adored her new Nutcracker Suite music box, with 4 scenes and 8 songs from the ballet. She watched it several times and insisted we bring it to the big dinner tonight!

Busy Times for Santa...and for Us!

We are rarely in Ottawa on December 24th, so this year we did our best to make the most of it from start to finish. It seems like we packed a lot into the agenda, especially with last-minute shopping and wrapping also left to complete. However, we survived and are finally all set for the big day tomorrow. The day started early as the kids packed into the Sienna and headed downtown to Mommy's work for the annual kid's Christmas party, an event that we are rarely here for and has historically been a bit of a lame affair. Not this year though! With Mom and her friend Julie on the planning committee, a healthy dose of Christmas spirit was plugged into the party and it was a huge hit for all 70 people in attendance! Face painting, crafts, games, prizes, lootbags and a visit from old Saint Nick with a gift for each child made for a rollicking kick-off to the day for the kids and to the holiday break for all the workers. A ton of fun. A wicked time was already had by all and we haven't even reached Noon yet!

Crafting cutiepies

Belle and Bianca Butterflies

Party planners extraordinaire

After picking up Dad and some frantic last-minute errands, including shopping, final parcel pickups and securing all the desserts for the big Christmas dinner at Matt and Rhiannon's, our next stop was the church for the kid's Christmas pageant. Isabelle, with butterfly face paint still in place, was excited to be dressed as a fairy (more commonly referred to by churchgoers as an angel) and even mustered up enough courage (ha ha) to volunteer her services. Oliver was more concerned with bolting up and down the ramp and checking out the stars, which Isabelle called the magic wands. It was nice to be back in the church where they both were christened, and where we witnessed Matt and Rhiannon's big day. Some great memories were born in this place.

Lending a helping hand to the minister

 Can I take this home with me?

Finally home to get the house ready for Santa's arrival. It started off with sprinkling of reindeer food on the front lawn. Isabelle and Oliver wanted to make sure Santa didn't miss this house!

I'm sure they'll see it, Mommy!

Still a lot of stuff to do around the house. Glad someone found some time to relax today!

We checked the Norad site to make sure Santa was off making his rounds, which caused a detailed explanation of time zones to Isabelle. We also connected via Skype to send festive holiday greetings out to Halifax.

Hanging stockings by the chimney with care

Took this picture when something woke me in the middle of the night...the big guy must have just left!