Saturday, December 31, 2011

Baby's First Christmas!

Fraselnut's first Christmas was brown as brown can be... and the toques really weren't necessary (like, at all).

We had a low key yet pleasant Christmas Eve and Day with my parents (as none of my siblings came home this year boo hoo). We had loads of fun eating, conversing, attending church, caroling/visiting (our caroling skills were adequate(ish) but a far cry from the whole-family-ensemble), skyping with sibs, watching Borrowed Hearts (a cheesy Christmas classic at the G home), and even opening presents (which was unexpected this year!)...

Fraser pulled out his 'A' game and gave us some fantastic Christmas smiles!

On the 26th, we packed up and headed to the farm for a T family Christmas. First up was a gathering with the extended family where the great grandchildren sang a little tune. Auntie Erin made sure Fraselbutt was included, but he wasn't the most active participant you ever did see (on the far right)...

The 27th and 28th were filled with T family fun. Auntie Marti made a pinata for the grandkiddies...

They all enjoyed it, but the older four were PARTICULARLY intense about it!

Auntie Marti & Uncle Lando also got Fraser this top. It's true. Girls DO dig him. Especially Auntie Julie Anne & Auntie Erin... until Fraser has fists full of their hair (welcome to my world, ladies)!

Lots of giggles with Auntie Marti...

Oops... took it one step too far, Martz!

Side note: Fraser has been obsessed with his hands lately. They must be delicious...

We took a picture of the grandkidlets in their Christmas duds. This is the only one I have where you can actually see everyone's faces... sets the standard nice and low for future grandkid pictures me thinks. :)

Fun floor time with Grandpa!

The 27th was also Carmen's SEVENTH birthday! I can't believe she's already 7. Her mama, Lori, made her this fabulous Barbie cake which Carmen was just ITCHING to get her partially toothless mouth into (and who can blame her?!)...

It was a very merry Christmas indeed. Now if you'll excuse me and this uber rushed post (which I was desperately trying to squeak in before 2012), we must go ring in Fraser's first new year!

Sunday, December 25, 2011

Santa Baby!

Merry Christmas from our little Santa Baby!

Those pictures were taken in Maui (where our little beach santa was VERY popular among other beach-goers), and this one was taken in Lethbridge (and yes, Santa's beard is a WEE bit over the top, and the whole situation left Fraser a tad confused and concerned)...

While we're in the holiday spirit, let me share THIS delightful Christmassy equation:

20lbs of candy (no joke) + great friends with newborns + my amazing parents and their home = Gingerbread Village 2011!

Sooooo focused...

(There really WAS a ton of joy and laughter, I promise... these photographs just captured our more determined sides!)

Well, the determination paid off!

Glen's creation...

He wanted to be sure that we highlighted his not-at-all-ridiculous snowman...

Natalie. Ohhhhh Natalie. She claimed that she didn't have a creative bone in her body, then she proceeded to put the rest of us to shame with THIS... complete with retaining wall, raised flower bed and a front deck WITH CHAIRS AND PEOPLE...

Nicholas' candy haven...

Chelsea's masterpiece...

Lowell's respected work of art...

And mine...

La village!

By the way, we may have QUITE a bit of leftover candy (apparently such things happen when one purchases 20 lbs of candy), so if anyone in the area is in the 'last-minute-gingerbread-house-decorating-bizz', contact us and it's yours!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Wowie Kazowie the rest of Maui!

It's already been a week since we came home from Hawaii, and I do believe it has passed in a cloud of fatigue. We flew home through the night, and while Fraser slept the entire way (angel child!), I did NOT. So I was basically awake for 35 hours straight... NOT IDEAL! Now that the fog has cleared somewhat, I can look back on our tropical getaway with fond memories- 80% of which are from the nude beach (it's a pretty memorable place). HOWEVER, Lowell made me promise to only tell ONE nude beach story as to not taint your view of us (because we wore swimming suits and we REALLY only returned again and again for the awesome waves... I SWEAR!). So let me start with this little gem...

While I was swimming in the waves , there was a naked gentleman near me who sought me out for conversation. I kept backing away because a) I didn't want a powerful wave to jam his naked body into my not-so-naked body (awwwwkward), and b) it's really weird attempting to have a decent conversation when each time the waves receded below his waistline, my eyeballs would fly skyward to avoid visual contact with you-know-what. This nice/interesting man told me all about how he was a major league baseball star but quit to help people, and now he's making a documentary about his life. I was pleasant with him, but inside I was thinking 'What a load of crap, I wonder what drug he's on'. Bobby Valentine, he said his name was. We all know I love a good celebrity connection, so I had been thinking of getting his picture JUST IN CASE he was telling the truth, but the nakedness knocked THAT option off the table. Well, apparently I'm a little overly skeptical of naked people, because I looked him up when I got home and he's legit. Bobby Valentine is toootally legit! Bobby, if you happen to google yourself and see this little anecdote... please accept my profound apologies and forgive my skepticism!

That's all I'll say about Little Beach, but I'm just DYING to share my other stories, so if you see me, casually bring it up in conversation and I'll gladly tell all!

Now back to the family friendly fun... POOP! Lowell and I brought a diaper genie insert as disposal for Ty and Fraser's diapers. Those little guys sure like to poop!! Here's our diaper tube after one week. Some might consider this ART...

Other than filling the poop tube, we enjoyed chillin at the beach...

Admiring Fraser's "bed" (yes, it is a wee blankie atop a stack of towels on the floor by our bed... he slept like a log!)...

Paddle boarding...

Little walks...

Boogie boarding...

Watching sunsets...

Jumping on the bed...

Date night while Nana and Papa babysat the grandbabies (and Papa played his Hawaiian ukelele!)...

Greeting friends from Lethbridge at the Maui airport, then spending quality beach time with them...

And enjoying the general cuteness of Ty & Fraser...

Oh what a joyous time with family (that ended ALL to quickly). I vote we make this an annual thing (with Shareen, Craig, Carlynne & Daniel of course)!!! :)