Road trip to Coaldale

 There are no words....

 Scrabble at Grandma's.

 On the way to the cabin. Pretty brown.

 At least there is snow on the mountains.

 Just like his Daddy.

 It's so great that the kids will just whip out a game and start playing now.

 Like his son Andrew.

 Testing the snowshoes.

 Airsoft gun shooting in the mountains.

 Quad rides.

 Sam and I went on a snowshoe excursion one day.

 Luke had his first lesson and started skiing this year. He loved it and has been patiently waiting for the last few years for his turn to ski.

 Kelsey and Sam.

 Curtis and Andrew.

 I did a few runs with Luke and he wanted to ride the lift ahead of me. Mr. Independent.

Grandpa and Isaac tormenting each other.

 

 Reunited again at last! Jessie and Emma.

 These two crazy's. All they do is giggle.

 I really miss my buddy Tracy. We had a thrift store date and spent the day together with our families.

Emma had her first experience in the hot tub.

 She sure likes Uncle Paul.

Grandma picked this up at the BFM thrift store. It plays Christmas songs and little snowmen come out of the shutters and twirl around. Isaac and Emma loved it.

 Annual gym dinner and sports.

Our 1st Christmas in Edmonton

 Emma and Isaac weren't so sure about the stockings.

 The kids pretty much decorated the tree this year. I can't believe how relaxed I am about the whole experience now compared to a few years ago.

 Love this.

 We did some fun Christmas baking for a few neighbors and the kids teachers this year.

 We also got the teachers some fuzzy socks and handcream and these cute little notes I printed off of pinterest.

 Merry Christmas!

 Andrew and his new airsoft gun. Boys!

 Andrew had Emma's name and bought her some Barbies and clothes with his own money he saved.

 Isaac was super excited for his new school bus with lights and a stop sign.

 Luke got a lego set.

 Pretty spoiled by Nana and Papa. All four boys got snowshoes.

 Sam had Ken's name and bought him an airsoft gun. He was bursting with excitement.

Target shooting off the back deck.

 

This year we tried something different at Christmas and we drew names. The three oldest did chores all fall and saved money to buy the gift for the person they had. We had a $20 limit. Ken and I took them out individually to shop for their person. We all made lists to help with ideas. It was really neat to see everyone think about their person and what they would like the most. I also bought each kid a gift from the thrift store. Andrew a Oilers jersey, Sam camo clothes, Luke a camo hoodie, Isaac some stacking blocks and Emma a pink wagon for her dolly's. I also had Sam's name and found a 800 piece k'nex set for $9.99. Some awesome scores. We had lots of fun and will probably draw names again next year.

December

 Emma pretty much  wear's princess dresses for everything. Here are my bakers!

 Andrew started piano lessons in Sept. and had his first recital at the beginning of the month.

 One of Isaac's teachers used to bring a cheerio book on her home visits to us and Isaac always loved it. Well Andrew found the same book at the thrift store with Ken one night and insisted on buying it for Isaac and couldn't wait to give it to him.

 The kids got report cards this month too and did very well. I told them I wished I could get a report card so I would know how to improve and Andrew made me one. My lowest mark was building forts!

 Found this little princess checking out my baking supplies in my pantry.

 Yummy gingerbread houses.

 Daddy and Isaac.

 Uncle Dwayne playing with Emma.

We had a weekend visit from Ang and Pete to celebrate some birthdays. So special hanging out with them. 

 Emma the explorer!

 Guess who is in the crafts and game closet again. She is into everything.

Beading. 

Winding Up November

 Sensory overload on this field trip for Isaac. It was called Hide and seek play center and it was huge.

 I took Emma along and we had fun at this place. I can't say it was a lot of fun trying to get them out of there to go home but we did survive it.

 Andrew informed me that they were making an "inclined plane" to roll the heavy snowballs on top of each other to make a snowman. They had been learning about this stuff in Science at school.

 Walking trail behind our house. Emma and I go walking everyday after we take the three oldest to their bus stop.

 One Saturday night we went for a family walk on the trails in the dark. It was awesome. The older boys ran ahead with their flashlights.

 My babygirl!

 My honey.

 Our two littles...

 Having fun with my camera. It drives Ken nuts that I take it everywhere.

 Book character day at school.

 The principal and his vice as Thompson and Thompson.

Our wintery home!