Family Gathering. Part 2.

So the family has grown out of Grandpa and Grandma's house. We now rent the school kitchen/gym for Christmas dinner and activities. It works out great. We set up buffet style and dig in. We also made snowman crafts, played in the gym and had a gift exchange. All 30 of us! It was a very Merry Christmas for all of us!

Family Gathering. Part 1

Baby Shawna (Mel and Pete's) She is the newest addition to the family which makes 17 grandchildren for Ken's Mom and Dad. Sam keeps saying "she's so little, and Mommy's baby is really, really big!" Thanks Sam!

Here's Shawna's big sister Simone.

My sister in law Trixie and baby Skyla.

Luke happy as can be playing hockey with his Daddy and brothers.

Andrew being the goalie with only one hockey pad on. It was hilarious watching him.

Houseguests.

We had a house full of guests over Christmas and what fun did we have. And girls....well I very happily had 6 girls join me in this house of boys for a few days. What a treat! Ken's brother Dwayne and his wife Trixie and their six kids came to stay with us. It works out great, they have the whole basement to themselves. I premade all of our meals so I only had to throw them in the oven. I was so thankful for the early Christmas present we got from my parents in September...my dishwasher. I think we ran it 3-4 times a day. The kids had so much fun with their cousins and my nieces were a great help entertaining all the little ones so us parents could visit.

Opening presents.

Daddy has had a busy holiday building and assembling lots of toys. All three boys were thrilled to get this tool bench and set of tools from Nana and Papa. I'm very happy with it, all three boys can play with it at the same time, there are plenty of tools to go around. They spent the whole day playing with it once Daddy put it together.

Luke was thrilled with his new guitar. He's our little dancer and is always sharing some of his moves with us.

Okay, I guess I'm officially a hockey mom now. We got the boys a huge hockey net and they have been burning lots of energy with Daddy playing hockey and soccer in the basement. I stay clear, everytime I enter that room I get hurt!

I'm happy to say that our boys are just as excited over new books as they are over toys. I went to a Usborne book party before Christmas and ordered some really cute books. We are having fun reading them.

Opening stockings first thing.

Reflecting on My Childhood Christmas.

My mind is consumed with memories this time of year, past memories and the present ones we are making. I thought I would share some of my memories as I reflect.

• my most favorite gifts I ever received were either from my mom or my Grammie. They were both very talented when making crafts and so creative. Just a few of the things they made me over the year's were a homemade carebear (Cheer bear), a doll bassinet out of fabric that I carried around, my very own figure skating outfit (just like the one's they wear on tv), a homemade pillow, and numerous dresses made out of velvet that I would get early and wear to our school Christmas concerts. ( I wish I still had them)
• Being a part of the Family Christmas tree lot. My family grows Balsam Fir Christmas trees and ships them all over the world each year and they also operate a Christmas tree U-pick. Nothing puts you in the mood for Christmas quite like spending a day in the tree lot. Grandad built a little log cabin all by himself that sits in the middle of the lot where him and Nannie always served hot apple cider to customers and gave out candy canes to the kids. They also have horse wagon rides for families. Lots of people would make a day of it and invite relatives along, pack lunches, pack some rum and egg nog, or other mix to put them in the festive spirit. It was great and one of the things I miss most of all about being in NS at Christmas.
• Believe it or not another favorite was doing chores Christmas morning. My Dad would give the farm staff the day off on Christmas and family would split up the milking/feeding shifts. I often complained at the time but looking back it's a favorite memory of mine. Milking with my Dad and brother. We would be allowed to open our stocking first before we headed to the barn. I think it was probably the best teamwork and the most efficient shift of the year.
• Breakfast Christmas morning. As impatient as we were after doing chores to open our gifts we would always have a family breakfast. Usually fried ham, bacon and eggs. I don't know why but I think it was the only day of the year that we would fry ham for breakfast. After eating my brother and I would patiently wait by the tree with huge eyes while Dad slowly made a coffee.
• Dad always played Santa Claus during gift opening. He would take turns giving us gifts while wearing a Santa hat. He would always say who the gift was for and who it was from and we would watch each other open gifts.
• Mom was always so excited at Christmas. I can still see her prancing around and teasing us about gifts that we would receive. Along with her excitement was always a very exhausted mother who like anyone that is a mother can relate. Trying to get everything ready: gifts made, baking done, cleaning done, groceries bought, presents wrapped and delivered, you name it. My poor mom would often be heading to bed when we would be heading to the barn at 5am and we would almost always have to wake her up when we'd get back.
• Every Christmas Day evening all of the Scothorn family would go to my grandparents house for yummy treats and to visit. We would be so excited to wear our new clothes and to pick a new toy to take along to show our cousins. Best of all Nannie would always and still makes seafood chowder for everyone. This isn't like the chowder you get in a can with 2-3 pieces of seafood in it, this chowder was loaded and often it was hard to even finish one bowl. Yummy.
• Every year I would get an angel ornament from my mom. She was determined that my brother and I would each have our own box of ornaments when we left home.
• Setting up the manger that my parents got as a wedding gift. My brother and I loved setting that thing up. I have this manger set today. Kevin and I would often have our favorite pieces of it to put in place. It was handled a lot over the years and now the cow is missing an ear. It always makes me smile when we set it up.
• Exchanging names. Our family was really close growing up and cousins were like brothers and sisters to us. We exchanged names in both families, Mom's and Dad's. It was always fun shopping for each other and finding out who had who's name.
• Sharing gifts. We would always visit each others families and show our gifts to each other. It wasn't bragging but sharing our excitement over the gifts we received. It was neat to see the creativeness people had when giftgiving.
• Christmas carolling. I was in a 4-H club growing up and the whole club would get in the back of someones huge farm truck. We would sit on hay bales and take blankets along to try to keep warm. We grew up in a small rural community and would carol at the seniors houses. They often would give us fudge and hot chocolate.
• Christmas dinner. Yum! Turkey and ham the whole works. Mom would pull out her best china and we would eat like kings and queens. Often Nannie and Grandad would join us.

I'm sure there are many more favorites that I could list but these are the most popular. I was a very blessed (spoiled rotten) little girl growing up and like most kids wasn't always grateful for all of the wonderful things I received. But in reflecting I feel so very grateful that I grew up in a family that loved me so much and had so many fun traditions. Merry Christmas Everyone!

31 weeks

Just an updated picture for all of you wondering how big I'm getting. I'm running out of lap room for Luke, that is one thing I'm noticing and he's noticing too. I think he's starting to sense a change is going to be happening before long. He's been very clingy and possessive of me lately. I can't believe that before long he won't be the baby anymore. I'm feeling really good and have more energy lately. When my head does hit the pillow though I am out within 5 minutes. 9 weeks to go!

Christmas Favorite's!

I had to take a picture of our beautiful stockings hung on the railing. My Nannie has kept very busy over the years making homemade stockings for all of her children, her grandchildren and now great-grandchildren. I remember as a kid thinking Dad's stocking looked a lot smaller than mine and my brother's, and now I look at mine and think it looks smaller than my kids. I think Nannie is getting more and more generous each year (if that's possible) and now we have twice as much stocking to fill as our parents did. This is such a wonderful tradition and I'm so thankful that we have a grandmother who is still so healthy and able to do these things. She will have to pass on her pattern(in her head) one of these year's.

This isn't even an ornament but the kids decided when we decorated the tree that this frog should be on the tree. So welcome little froggy.

My mom gave my brother and I a Santa ornament one year and it is always an attention grabber. The kids love it and always want to touch his fluffy beard.

This was a passed on ornament from my Grammie. I'm not sure who made it but Sam is enthralled with it. I think he thinks it's a real sucker and he always asks me if he can have it.

This is one of my favorite's. It's a pewter lighthouse from Nova Scotia and always makes me think of home and how fun Christmas was with our family.

"O Christmas Tree"

This is Christmas Tree 2009 purchased at Home Depot that the boys helped pick out. It's a BC tree and we bought it pre-baled. I know, I know....Scothorn's. This is so out of nature for us but there are no U-picks out here, maybe someday I can start one!

Sam made this ornament at Pre-school this year. We only have Sam in pre-school and already we've had to be choosy about which ornaments to hang because there are so many new additions.

Another masterpiece of Sam's.

Andrew made an angel in Storytime at Bible Study so we decided for this year we would put it on top of the tree. He is pretty excited about it.

Sam's class party was this week and it was a reindeer party. This was one ornament he got to make.

Three Boys Playing Hard!

This is the typical scene in our house lately. Luke has decided that he should be allowed to sit on a tall stool like his brothers. Luke is quite proud of himself and grinning ear to ear whenever he is up there. The other two definitely don't like sharing their lego with Luke though.

2 boys+ roll of paper+ paint = messy wrapping paper

Today our adventure was making homemade wrapping paper. Can't wait to wrap some gifts with it!

Our Little Elves!

We haven't had a very eventful week around here. The flu bug passed through our house over 6 days and hit each of us. We have been a little cranky with each other since we've been so housebound but the last day or two we've perked up and I've found a few fun things for the kids to do.

Yesterday we made gingerbread men and Gingerbread trees and the boys helped me make supper (chicken alfredo pasta). They like to help cut up veggies and they do a fine job.

At parent preschool a week ago we had a lady in to talk to us about kids and chores so I've decided to try to stop tackling everything myself and get the boys to help especially while they are so young and enthusiastic. Maybe someday they will love to cook just like their Dad and Mom.

For now they are assisting me with some extra Christmas stuff and I call them my little elves!

Welcome to Coaldale con't.

This is looking down main street which consists of hair salons, a drug store, Doctor's offices, a bakery, a meat shop, gift shop, post office, gas stations, fire station, movie store, pizza shops, dollar store, a few bars and I think we have at least 3 liquor stores in town and recently a Tim Horton's which my Dad is grateful for. Everything is in walking distance for us which is nice. Although taking Andrew and Sam on their bikes and Luke in the stroller can often be an adventure of chaos with all of the road rules and traffic etc. Pretty scaring for Mommy!

This is at Birds of Prey which is just down the street from us. There are thousands of Canada geese there currently. It's got a walking trail and some picnic tables. In the Spring and summer we don't always spend a lot of time there due to all of the goose poop everywhere. It's a hard place to have a picnic or play soccer or fly a kite. Too poopy.

This is our church, the Coaldale Canadian Reformed church which has approximately 300 members. Close to 30-35 of them being babies or toddlers under three that stay in our nursery during church. A crazy busy place!

Anyways that is a brief tour of where we live. I'm hoping some of you someday will get a chance to come and visit us. We love having guests as long as they can handle the busyness of our household.

Welcome to Coaldale!

For those of you who haven't been to Coaldale before I thought I'd give you a little tour of our town. This is our home!

This is the local grocery store that we run to when we need something last minute. Lethbridge (the city) is 10-15 minutes away so I usually go there once a week for my big grocery order at Superstore.

This is our local library. I'm almost embarassed to say that we mostly go there to sign out toys for the kids and not books. You can sign out highchairs, wagons, strollers etc. Pretty handy if you have guests over with kids. I find it's great for trying out toys to see what the kids really like and what they get sick of right away.

This is our local sportsplex where we go skating for free. I used to also play women's hockey there once a week in the winter. It has a curling rink and an outdoor pool where the kids take swimming lessons in the summer.

This is the Christian school that Ken teaches at. I think they have 180 students or so. Ken has the largest class of 26 student. Grade 5 and 6 combined.

Simple Woman #10

A picture thought....

The boys at Parent Preschool. Sam is the giraffe and Andrew is a crocodile.

FOR TODAY November 17, 2009

...Outside my window

Dark. It was a nice day +10 or so. Thankfully the 70km/hr winds they fore casted didn't hit as of yet.

...I am thinking

that life sure is a roller coaster ride of ups and downs. One minute I'm hearing someones great news and the next minute I'm hearing of someone struggling. While I'm home taking care of my kids I spend my day thinking of people I care about and the things they are going through.

...I am thankful for

3 healthy loving boys, an amazing husband, a healthy pregnancy, for neighbor friends of ours that we have gotten close to in the last year or so, for a phone call from Nannie tonight, for a pep talk from my Dad, for my cousin Daniel and his wife who have just welcomed their first child into the world.

...From the kitchen

tonight was homemade bread, homemade applesauce and a chicken casserole

..I am wearing

pajama bottoms and a black maternity shirt

...I am going

to bed in an hour or so.

...I am reading

Acts 15 in my Bible shortly. I have Bible study tomorrow morning.

...I am hoping

that tomorrow morning when I drop Sam of to preschool that it is not a big display of him throwing a tantrum again.

...I am hearing

the lovely sound of my dishwasher washing my dishes and other than that total silence which is refreshing. Kids are in bed and Ken has parent teacher interviews tonight.

..Around the house

things are good. Laundry is done, meal plan done, lunches are made for tomorrow. Everything is good to go for another day.

...One of my favorite things

watching Andrew and Sam ride their bikes and race when we are out for a walk. They insist that their bikes are dirt bikes and make sound effects everywhere we go. Andrew loves to do "popo wheelies" It is so neat watching them grow up and play together.

...A few plans for the rest of the week

Weds. preschool and Bible Study

Thurs. Ken's birthday, Doctors appt. babysitting for a friend

Fri. Sam's hearing test appt., babysitting for another friend, Our school's annual fundraiser night "The Bazaar"

Sat. Having friend's Paul and Tracy over for a steak dinner.

Sun. Church