On New Year's Eve we had a little family party. Jayna and Gibb planned a fun night for us, here was the schedule they came up with:

2:30 play in the backyard

3:00 drink hot chocolate

3:30 bath time

4:00 make a craft (crowns)

4:30 dinner 

5:00 watch a movie

6:00 eat homemade ice cream

6:30 play hullabaloo and candyland

7:00 count down and mini dance party

We followed it pretty closely, except we didn't end up having time to play the games. Because we ended up watching almost an hour of home videos instead. It was so fun, and I think this may be a New Years Eve tradition for our family. 2011 was a good year! Can't wait to see what 2012 has in store for our family.

We've had a fun eventful month!









This is what we've been up to this week.

Swimming and the playground at Mac Island

Kepler was happy to get a robe and slippers from Santa so he could match Jayna

Trying out the new sled, it was a hit!

 

 We've been having amazing weather so far this winter (I hope I don't jinx it) and so we've been able to go outside and play so much. I'm now a believer that winter can be fun! But that might change with the weather in a few weeks.

Going on a little walk in the woods.

Keira trying out the jumper for the first time

Jayna changing her first diaper, and now that she knows how, hopefully not her last!

In a few days it's back to real life again, and I think I'm ready. When I told Jayna that she was going back to school she was SO excited. I asked her what she was most excited about and she said "The centres!!" Haha, she has been crafting almost non-stop since she's been home, but she can't wait to get back to school to do more crafts. I guess she really is an artist. :)

 This little sweetie is 5 months old!!

 

 She started taking a bottle at the beginning of the month. I love it when our babies start taking a bottle, it gives me a bit more freedom. And it's pretty cute how much Gibb loves it too! He is so nurturing, he loves being able to feed them their bottle. So sweet!

 Loving the bath!

All bundled up and enjoying some fresh air!

Kepler spent most of this month on the naughty list, so we were all surprised and relieved that Santa still brought him what he asked for. I guess he made up for it in his last ditch efforts to be nice on Christmas Eve day. ;)

He was SO happy with his silver bell from Santa's sleigh. He kept holding it up to his ear and saying "I believe!" He also told me that he wished I could hear his bell too. I told him I could hear it and he said in a sad and serious voice "No Mommy, it's broken for you."

His Lightning McQueen race track was also a huge hit, and kept him occupied most of the day

Jayna of couse loved her easel and was excited about the rainbow chalk! She also got an art kit from Grandma Fitzner. So she got to be artist all day long, her dream come true.

Pretending to be Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus on the sled that Santa brought them. Kepler has been pretending to be Santa for about a week straight.

One of Jayna's other favourite presents, a Chrystal flower pot. She loves little "treasures" like this.

Kepler reading Keira the book he gave her

We got a good picture using the timer, hooray!

Christmas Day after church was so relaxing. The kids got to play with their toys all day!

This picture just makes me laugh. I think we have clone children.

 We had some friends over who work at Gibb's office for Christmas dinner. Melissa, Brittany and baby Ella

Keira and Ella's first Christmas

After the kids were in bed, we cleaned up and skyped with more family. Then we tried to watch a Christmas Carol and we were both falling asleep. Ha, you know you're old when you have to watch a movie over 2 nights because you can't stay up. :)

Christmas this year was pretty close to perfect for our family. I'm kind of sad it's all over already, but Gibb still has this whole week off. I'm excited for lots of family time and hopefully getting some projects done!

 Staying home for Christmas this year was so fun and relaxing! We loved it! We missed all our family, but it was fun to be able to start our own traditions, and it was especially fun to not have to pack up all the presents.

On Christmas Eve morning we had our crepes breakfast. 

This is a tradition that Gibb's family usually does on Christmas morning, but we knew we wouldn't have time before church on Sunday morning.

We thought the kids would love it but they wouldn't eat the crepes, even after we drizzled them with chocolate sauce. Kepler ate about 4 sausages, and Jayna just ended up having egg nog and a huge bowl of strawberries and blueberries.

In the afternoon we headed over to the Anderson's to spend Christmas Eve with them. The one downside about not being with family for Christmas was that there were no cousins around to entertain my kids while I was busy cooking and getting everything ready. So this was perfect timing.

The kids went sledding right in their backyard, it was perfect!

Emma and Keira

Inspecting all the presents, Jayna had all the presents under our tree memorized

We fed the kids an early dinner and then the adults got to take our time enjoying fondue, it was SO yummy! Then we watched a short nativity movie and then acted it out.

Kepler was the Angel and surprised us all with how well he knew what to say

2 Mary's riding on the donkey

Looking at Baby Jesus

Mary, a Wise Man, Mary, a Shepherd

(We were figuring out who everyone was going to be and Kepler wanted to be a Wise Man and then he said "But I don't have any Frankincense!" haha)

Keira in her Christmas outfit

All the kids opened up their jammies and then we each opened up a little gift (one of the Anderson's traditions)

We got home early enough to still read a couple Christmas stories and spread out reindeer food on the lawn. Jayna even spotted Santa and his reindeer in the sky while we were driving home, but poor Kepler missed it.

Santa told Jayna and Kepler that his favourite kind of cookies were chocolate chip. So on Christmas Eve morning we had to bake another batch of cookies, and now we have a big bag of chocolate chip cookies in our pantry...along with all the other shelves of junk food.

All set up and ready for Christmas morning!

It was such a fun night! We loved getting to spend time with friends, but still be able to come home to our own house and get the kids to bed not too late. Christmas Eve is my favourite part because it's so magical and exciting.