In Betwixt

Well, Christmas is now past and we're sorting out where to put everything, just as I'm sure everyone is. The whole experience seems so long ago now, even though it was just days ago. We had a really nice day and, overall, a great Christmas. The Fraser 6 became the Fraser 8 as Grandma and Grandpa Fraser joined us from the West Coast. Everyone enjoyed having extra hands around for various tasks and, of course, cuddles. Jennifer especially love, love, loves having any of her grandparents here as she knows just how to ask the right way to coax one or both into playing with her! 

The holiday of feasting began on Christmas Eve for us as we ventured down to the home Jeremy's Aunt Johanne for her traditional French Canadian tourtiere dinner. YUM! It was a bit of a late night but we all managed pretty well, babies and all, and rolled home very full and happy. 

We awoke early on Christmas morning (as we do every morning) and tried (quite successfully) to keep Jennifer out of the living room until Grandma and Grandpa had come upstairs. It was so amazing to witness the magic of Christmas through the eyes of a 3-year old. Jennifer had asked Santa for a "red balloon" and when she walked into the living room, she was delighted to see that Santa had not only remembered her but had brought her a red balloon. We could have stopped there and she would have been ecstatic! The day evolved from there and went smoothly. The babies, as I recall, did very well and Jennifer was great the whole day. I think one of the best things that we did was to postpone our Christmas Turkey until Boxing Day. Instead, we had a crock-pot meal. It might sound less than exciting; however, it was delicious thanks to Grandma, who slaved over pre-cooking chicken and veggies. We were all glad to sit down to a delicious coq-au-vin! It was great, and we were relaxed. I definitely recommend this strategy!

Boxing Day was also quite relaxed. The turkey was stuffed and put in the oven and we all took turns playing with Jennifer and her new dollhouse (best gift of 2010). We had to say goodbye to Grandma and Grandpa Fraser on the 27th, but enjoyed a wonderful visit while they were here. 

So, we're on our own for a couple of days before Grandma Marg comes to visit for New Years and then cousin Eva. Calgary has had some lovely weather lately and Jeremy and I continue to try and take advantage of it by getting out with the girls to go for walks around the neighbourhood. Today, we explored the alley ways of Wildwood. It's a whole different perspective on the neighbourhood. 

Anyway, I have to say that this is probably the one and only Christmas holiday (by that I mean the entire month of December leading up to the holiday) that I will get to spend with my husband and four girls without having one of us at work. What an amazing experience this has been for our family - one that both Jeremy and I will always remember...and maybe even Jennifer. Magical! 

Here are some of our magical moments captured....

  baking Christmas ornaments...

 decorating Christmas cookie ornaments...

 ...the ornaments hung on the Christmas tree!

baking....by Jennifer

 Caitlyn enjoying some Bumbo time...

 ...with sister Heather...

 ...who loves to giggle and smile!

 Cailtyn

 Jennifer, Heather and Emily having fun together!

 Heather...always laughing and Emily not far behind!

 ...Emily is always having fun at the dinner table! 

 

 Story-time!

On the Sunday before Christmas, a number of the children in the neighbourhood were asked to come and help find Santa's reindeer. Well, I'm not sure if those reindeer were found but the children did find Santa! Jennifer is sitting on his lap with the red hat and black coat....it was great fun for all but VERY cold that day! 

 Later that day we all had fun making a gingerbread house with friend Ivy! 

 Ta-da! Jennifer has had great fun imagining that she lives in the gingerbread house....who wouldn't want to live in it...it's beautiful! (Thanks Ivy and Papa)

 Learning crosswords and suduko with Grandpa Ross...

 Cousin Kiara with Caitlyn...

 Aunt Johanne with Caitlyn...

 

  Second favourite toy of the year....the "whistle" or recorder...hmmm what was Santa thinking?

 

 The infamous...red balloon.....so happy was she!

 Amazed that there were still things in the stocking...it seemed never ending to her!

 Caitlyn getting the hang of opening her stocking...

 Grandpa helping Heather open her stocking...

...with great excitement for her prize!

 Emily attempting to figure out just what Santa has brought her...

 Jennifer's beginning adventure into the imaginative world of her doll-house...

 three little elves with Grandma...Emily, Caitlyn and Heather

 ...still playing

 ...bliss

 the mutual admiration society club president and vice president. Emily and Jennifer

 Out for a Christmas walk...playing our favourite game..."find the stairs!"

 The Christmas table...

Our Christmas "turkey" (Emily)

 Three happy girls...Caitlyn, Emily and Heather. 

That was so fun...can we do it again! (Emily)

So...it's been a busy couple of weeks. I think that we are all tired and ready for a bit of rest. The babies seemed to sense this as they gave us our first real full nights sleep last night...they slept from 7pm til 7am. Of course, I did not sleep that long. Despite going to bed at a reasonable hour, I think I was awake from 5am on waiting for them to wake up...funny that. We'll see if it repeats itself again....sleep is certainly a much welcomed commodity in this house. 

So until next time...we hope that you have had a peaceful and relaxing Christmas and are gearing up for a revitalizing new year! All our best to you for 2011! 

Goodnight! 

Jan