My Baby is a Star

Kaili recorded Sammy singing...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72FQkH6K8jM

Christmas Connolley Style

Ahhhh, Christmas.  The holidays are always filled with hustle and bustle, too many places to be in too short of time and more turkey dinners than you can shake a stick at... but each crazy second is worth it.  This year we woke at our own house to find Santa had been here.  Sam's mind was blown that he "dranka da milk"!  He has brought the magic back to Christmas and I know each year will be more and more enjoyable.  I just love the look on his face.
We opened gifts and loaded up to head to Central Alberta.  Our first stop was at my Mom's house for family, stockings and gifts.  We went out to Shaun's parents' place to a beautiful turkey dinner and to sleep for the night.  In the morning we got back on the road to head out to Kane Acres, my family Boxing Day tradition.  The usual chaos included tons of tinsel, mountains of presents, Gift of Giving, huge turkey dinner, Christmas charlie horses and so much more.  Lots of laughs.  It's always good for my soul to see my extended family... everyone in good health, my cousins grown into amazing adults, the Grandparents full of life and laughter... my favorite tradition.  We drove back to the Connolley's for another night's sleep so that we could wake up there to celebrate with them for a day.  We waited for Kaili to arrive and then went out tobogganing, quick visit from my parents and brother, then gifts and supper with the Connolley family.  
We are blessed with a bunch of truly good people in our families.  With every year I realize how lucky we are to have these people in our lives and no matter how much time passes between visits I know they still love us and will be people that I'm proud to be associated with.  Christmas is time for family... from our quiet livingroom with just the three of us to the craziness of the Kane Christmas and all other gatherings in between... love love love this time of year.

A very excited little Sam!

Stocking... chocolate pez... might have been more for Mom than Sam...

Super handsome sweater Daddy picked out!

Unwrapping gifts is HARD work!

New wooded marble maze set... good idea.  Having Mom help set it up... bad idea.  Luckily this photo does not demonstrate the amount of rage I was filled with trying to make it with a very 'helpful' two year old.

Very proud maze builder.  "We did it!"

In Rimbey we gave baby Serry her Christmas gift... her very first Cabbage Patch.  Love at first sight!

Christmas Cousins.

"That's a big big one"

Best seat in the house.

One of the many many ways the antlers and nose were wore.  He's a real performer!

Brie's fam at Gramma's house.

Kiddos hard at play with Charlie's cars.

My Mom and Trev's kids/grandkids.
Don't worry, I asked Shaun if he secretly hated my family but he reassured me that he was just caught between smiles!!!

Boys riding their tractors

Sam with his Granny and Big Bob... we love you!

SLEDDING!!!  None of my photos capture how steep and huge this hill is.  It's the first year Sam successfully rode down. Unfortunately we didn't go too many times because the quad broke and it's a LONG walk up!

Country boy

Here we go!

Sam was so happy to have a day playing with cousin Kaili.  Two peas in a pod!

Love.

Sam resting before our drive home on the pillow Kaili sewed for him.

A million new and wonderful Christmas memories.  Makes me excited to do it all again, but I think I'm good to wait a year!

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

The day is finally here... our family's first day of Christmas holiday!  Yippee!  We spent our day running errands and lazing about.  We did take care of some important business.

Christmas 'cookies' for Santa.  Saw recipe on a friend's blog and it is EASY and wonderful.  Sam can basically do the whole thing himself except put it in the oven!  PERFECT!

Sammy opening his Christmas Eve present....

New PJs!!!  Christmas Monsters and slippers made by his Great Gramma Wolfe!

It was our second annual Christmas Eve Christmas Light walk (it needs a better name)  where we go for a walk around our little area and pick our favorite house.  Tough to go to far... it's so beautiful out that Sam was actually falling asleep in his wagon!  This house is only 3 down from us and this picture does not do it justice... there isn't much house NOT covered in lights... WOW!

After tubby, we got Santa's midnight snack ready.  Cookies made by Sam, a cup of milk and a note that Sam dictated to me.  This is one focused little boy.

Proud of himself!

We didn't think Santa needed the lid for the sippy cup... :)

Merry Christmas to the people we love most.  Thank you for another year and we can't wait to see some of you over the next few days.

Celebrating 2 Days Left with 3 Little Friends!

Our very favorite triplets came all the way to Airdrie to visit us.  Both Stacey and I worked until the 23rd, so there was no elaborate meal (hahaha, I don't ever cook fancy meals) or activity.  We met the Alexanders (Luc, Matty, Nate, Stacey and Johnny) at 5 Guys Burger and Fries.  We had the slowest fast food service for a meal that was a whirlwind!  You can imagine what three hungy 2 year olds wearing winter boots and eating french fries might look like... CRAZY!  The most amazing thing is their parents and their composure during the entire meal.  Stacey said "You can either laugh or cry, why not laugh?"  Best advice ever.


We drove down to the park to see the Festival of Lights.  We nearly made a full loop before the boys sent a clear message that they were sooooo over it.  Though it was a quick visit, it was wonderful.  Their friendship is a gift to us... reminder to be patient, that things can be 3 times as hard, not to worry about the little things, socks can double as mitts and when it's time to go it is time to go.


Thank you for the visit Team Alexander.  We love you tons and tons!

The Daddy's and their boys walking the park.

All 4 boys!

We went for another loop after our friends had to go.  Sam crossed the boundary to see the house.

Mom and Sam on the bridge

Love.

Some Highlights!

We've been having a blast in the last couple days as we get closer to Christmas.  Here are some of our highlights...


10 Days to go - Ginger Train Time!

7 Days to go - Westjet Kids Christmas Party

Sam sat so still while getting his face painted.  He asked the lady to make him a 'kitty'.  This was our very first stop (it's good to come to Westjet events with a game plan as last year we spent over an hour in a line up).

BOUNCY HOUSE!

Like a caged animal!

Quick break for lunch time.  Sam munched on a carrot and a bun... guess he was saving room for cotton candy and cookies that we ate later in the afternoon!

Sam gets his craft on!  Made a cute wreath ornament.

What an amazing Santa... really classy and magical.  The type that can make an adult believe again!

The party was held at Spruce Meadows.  We went on a tour of the stables to see all the horses and ponies.  The jumping horses were HUGE.  Sam LOVE LOVE LOVED them.  

Sam and I went into the petting zoo while Daddy took pictures.  Sammy couldn't even believe how great the animals were.  We petted goats and sheep first.  The sheep were very wooly and we liked poking our fingers into their fur.  Sam thought it was soooo funny. 

Funny pigs!

Big highlight was seeing Santa's reindeer as they rested before their big journey.

Day 6 - 2nd Annual PJ Christmas Party

The boys watching out the window for more friends to come... shy of each other at first but it didn't take long to be buddies again!

Payton and Sammy

All the kiddos in front of the tree after supper, a movie, hide and seek and tons of playing.   Shortly after this they broke into a CRAZY dance party.  There are no words to describe it!

The girls

Here's a photo for their wedding... that's right Uncle Bill!!!   Look at those sweet little interlocked fingers (and we didn't even ask them to do that!)

That car was a hour of entertainment... not a well known fact is that Santa actually travels by lowrider with air suspension while pumping music and rocking out with his reindeer buddies.
(Hilarious moment in the background of Sam and P smooching!)