PB&J

The stage that Joseph is now at is both my favorite and least favorite. It's my favorite because he can pretty much feed himself and I can enjoy my meal times more, and my least favorite because it usually requires more than one bath a day. Take lunch for example.

A simple PB&J sandwich turned into a big, fun mess.

But he sure is happy when he gets to feed himself.

And then he gives me his little shoulder thing and crooked head just to remind me how sweet he is.



Morning Hugs

These boys willingly gave each other big hugs this morning.

Talk about a heart melter!

Canadian Winters

New Years Day brought beautiful Winter Chinook weather. With the clear blue sky and warm sunshine, we couldn't resist spending the late morning outside. Joseph was so happy to get some fresh air he hardly waited to get dressed before toddling out the back door after his older siblings. He enjoyed exploring and playing with the cold snow.

Great-Gramma and Great-Grampa Purdon got to look out the window and watch Joseph toddle around. Since we've all been sick we've kept our distance so they don't catch anything. Gramma stood out on the deck for a few minutes and talked with us. Tears welled up in her eyes at the sight of the Great-Grands.

Joseph and I eventually made it down the hill to join in on the fun. Grampa and Daddy were busy digging out a snow fort for the littles. They had so much fun with it and quickly transformed it into a pirate ship and began playing.

Joseph made a great supervisor!

The tunnels were perhaps the best part!

Then they decided to make a slide down the back...

Hyrum and Camilla took turns helping to form the slide with their tiny bum scooches.

Then Daddy rode the shovel down to help make it more slippery. Man, he's goodlookin'!

While I was busy following the littles around the fort, I was able to snap this cute picture of Joe and his Grampa.

Before we went in I asked my Dad to take Joe and I on one last spin behind the quad. Camilla hopped in the front of the sleigh just before we took off.

After our ride all of the snowflakes were stuck delicately to her sweet little eyelashes. It reminded her of the movie frozen. When I asked to take a picture she said, "Say 'Elsa'!" I love that girl! She helped Gramma make cookies yesterday. Today I caught her and Hyrum sneaking some from the tin. I explained that it wasn't nice to sneak things without asking and she replied, "But I MADE them...!" I couldn't help but smirk.

When naptime rolled around we loaded up the littles and said good-bye. It's always sad to leave and usually before we even get to town I shed a tear or two. I feel so blessed to be able to spend so much time with family. The littles slept most of the way home allowing Mr. Stannix and I to enjoy some quiet and conversation. We took a different route home which caused me to admire the beauty around me even more so. At one point a beautiful fog formed in a valley outlining the trees and sillouettes of horses in the fields.

Though Winter can be cold and harsh, it sure is beautiful. I loved the snow on the rolling hills, the warm sun in the distance, the skidoo trails, the snow covered bails of hay left in the fields, the old barns... All of it was so so pretty. I was just filled with so much gratitude. Oh how I love Canadian Winters.

New Years Eve

Hard to believe it's already time to ring in the new year! Aside from being a little sleepy, we all had a great day! Joseph has taken quite the liking to his Grampa. His little personality is just exploding these days. He is such a clown and loves to laugh, babble, and act silly.

Just after lunch Grampa took the littles for a ride behind the quad. They have gotten braver since last year and like to yell, "Go FASTER!" while Grampa pulls them around the subdivision.

Grampa even managed to plow out the whole subdivision with the littles in tow. He would head out one side and come back on the other. They got a pretty long ride and were ready for some hot chocolate when they came in. Hyrum stuck around for one last ride though.

Mr. Stannix kept busy shoveling the walks. We seem to have more snow this Winter then I ever remember! It just keeps coming and coming. While I waited for the littles to return from their ride, I admired him from afar.

After naps were had we got busy on dinner. My Mum has been wanting to try homemade perogies for a while now, so we went to work. Joe even enjoyed watching from the top of the counter. My Mum used to do that with me when I was little.

I have to say though that my favorite moment of the day was when all three of my littles climbed up on my lap while I sat in the recliner. We rocked, snuggled, and spinned for a good ten minutes. I loved having their warm bodies so close. I loved squeezing them and kissing their heads over and over. Being a Mamma is the best!

Dinner was pretty epic. My Mum worked hard frying up the perogies, while my Dad worked hard at the BBQ.

Perogies

3 cups flour (1/2 cup reserved for counter)

1 tsp salt

1 egg

3/4 c water

2 TBSP oil

Knead until smooth, split in 1/2, rest 20 minutes

roll, cut, fill, fold



Our night was filled with Rook, homemade cheese cake, and some good laughs.

Happy New Year!!

Acreage Adventures

We've been lucky to have a few nice days while we are here visiting. The littles have enjoyed playing outside so much! Grampa has lots of nice mountains for them to climb from shoveling snow and plowing the driveway. They like to go on adventures and make their way around the yard, trudging through the deep snow in their winter gear. Because of the melting and freezing, some of the hills were slippery enough for them to slide down in just their snowpants!

 

 

My Mamma had a chicken who suddenly decided she wanted some chicks to care for. She sat on and successfully hatched three baby chicks. They are pretty stinkin' cute! I wish I was here when they would hide underneath her and peek out.

 

I put cute little curlers in Camilla's hair tonight and can't wait for those curly goldy locks of hers tomorrow morning. She had some fun with her brothers before bed time pulling them around Gramma's kitchen.



Bump Watch

I should probably be in bed. Joseph was awake from 2:00am onward. It was a rough night! Hyrum still has a nasty cough and I'm guessing by his sad little cries in his sleep that his throat might be sore. All of us adults have finally recovered from the flu and are enjoying holidays (which usually means staying up too late and eating lots of junk food). Anyways, it's not often I get fancied up for church, so I thought I'd take a quick shot of the growing bump to keep track.

 17 1/2 weeks and growing big!

Speaking of growing big, little Joseph is getting SO big! He loves toddling around the house, throwing and chasing balls, and has started saying "up" when he would like to be picked up. Sometimes I just wish he'd stop growing! I couldn't resist snapping a picture of him and his Auntie Emma today. They were dancing around the kitchen together and it was super cute!

G'Night!

Christmas Morning

By Christmas morning the flu had taken another victim. My poor little brother was feeling super yucky and my Mamma was wondering why she was cooking such a huge Turkey (22lbs) when we were all still recovering. Joseph woke up nice and early and he and I enjoyed the lights on the tree while we waited for everyone else. The other two littles didn't come upstairs until 8:00am! A Christmas Miracle! We all dove into our stockings while we waited for a few late sleepers.

 

 

Once everyone was there, we got to the gift opening. With the late night before and recovering from the flu, my morning sickness was terrible and I ended up missing half of the gift opening because I was in the bathroom. Thank-goodness my sister had her camera and captured a few things for me!
 

My Dad always passes out the gifts.

Oh my Joe!

This unicorn was a huge hit!

That princess outfit stayed on almost all day, until she changed into her new church dress.

Dad's turn!

My Mamma spent the year piecing together and hand quilting this quilt for my big brother.
AMAZING!

My handsome man and I!

The littles spent most of the day in their Jammies. The pool table was also put to good use by the four Missionaries who joined us for the day! It was just nice to relax. My Mamma is magic and always seems to put on an amazing dinner with the snap of her fingers and hardly any stress at all. I guess that comes with practice!

 

 I was so excited to eat, and everything tasted so great, especially the homegrown turkey and potatoes.

Me and my sibs, minus my biggest brother.

 

 

Christmas Eve

After tree decorating we were all feeling up to some partying at my Uncle Brent and Auntie Roxanne's. We headed over there for dinner (granted a lot of us ate light) and it was delicious! Snacks sat out on the island in the kitchen for the evening and we all had our fair share while playing Catch Phrase. I loved Aunties ginger snaps and my Gramma's white chocolate candy cane popcorn. Let it be noted that the girls won EVERY SINGLE GAME. "Team two has seven points and WINS!" My favorite part was watching my grandparents play together. We would always guess Gramma's word just as the timer was about to run out. She would quickly pass it to Grampa and without fail the timer would buzz (unless Grampa "accidentally" pushed the button and reset the timer). It always gave us a good chuckle. I am so glad to be able to spend time with family, and especially my grandparents. I love when they share their wisdom or tell me I have good kids. It makes me feel good about what I am doing each day. I love them so!

 

Part way through the night we had a special visitor. My Aunt got it all on video and I can't wait to watch it and hear all of the funny things the kids said.

 

Not long into the visit with Santa Camilla says, "Um...Santa? I think you look like my Uncle Brent..." And that was all she said. She played along well if she actually figured things out. We all got a good laugh out of it though! Santa brought each of the kids a little toy and of course their Christmas Jammies.

 

Hyrum loved his new Spiderman action figure and Camilla enjoyed her new little ponies. I never knew Spidey and my little pony were such great friends! The two of them played so well together with their new toys while the adults continued with Catch Phrase. When it got too late and the kids weren't getting along quite as well anymore, we headed out into the dark night. I loved watching the stars as we drove home to the Acreage. Once we got back, we tucked each of them in for the night (including Mr. Stannix who was still feeling under the weather), and then Mrs. Clause went to work wrapping and setting up for Christmas morning.