Saturday, December 13, 2014

Day 335 - 365 (December 1-31, 2014)

Day 335 - December 1, 2014

Working hard on the scrapbook albums whenever I have a chance...here's the sketch idea I'm working with...


and the finished 2 page spread for Alex.


Day 336 - December 2, 2014

Savannah had a little ball hockey injury at school today...I think it just adds a little personality.


Day 337 - December 3, 2014

I have been looking for a stroller for Savannah's bitty twins but just can't bring myself to pay $75 for an American Girl one...I saw this in the Goodwill window and was thrilled to be able to surprise her with it to replace her broken stroller.


Day 338 - December 4, 2014

We had some extra kiddos over for supper while their parents were away and I think that Rowan really enjoyed his supper.



Day 339 - December 5, 2014

We had our first Christmas party tonight...I did not get very many pictures because Savannah ended up getting sick and we left early. I am using this picture because I love this picture of some sweet girls :)


Day 340 - December 6, 2014

Savannah feeling much better, playing with her gift from last night's party. I didn't take any pictures at the Koomans Christmas party because I ended up hurting my leg again...pictures were the last thing on my mind.


Day 341 - December 7, 2014

While at my parent's I snapped a picture of their Bible story book thinking it could be very helpful for  teaching Sunday School. Now to see if we can find it for a good price.


Day 342 - December 8, 2014

Instead of presents, apparently I am getting crutches back ;) After a trip back to the doctor...I have a prescription for some anti-inflammatory and pain killers in hopes that it will get the swelling down and keep the pain under control. Guess I was not quite ready to go back to sports yet :(


Day 343 - December 9, 2014

Love it when we get packages and it is super fun when it is from Christianbook.com


Day 344 - December 10, 2014

Love seeing the boys getting along so well...


Day 345 - December 11, 2014

It's nice when you get something for free at the grocery store...today it was a huge poinsettia. Although I got the flower today...I took the picture a day late because I was in agony in my lower back from not walking properly and having my hips out. Thankfully the chiropractor could get me in and help me...hoping to feel better tomorrow.


Day 346 - December 12, 2014

Feeling way better than yesterday...still very sore but it was awesome to come together to celebrate the birth of Jesus at the kids' school tonight. From piano playing, singing, band, black light and rhythm performances...it was a wonderful evening. Carsten played piano, baritone in the band and did lights backstage while Savannah did black light and rhythm ensembles. Thanks to the staff who organized it and the students who gave it their all.



Alex had his first Christmas Banquet at school and he spent the afternoon getting ready (errr...I mean hanging out at a friend's house). Thanks to Lynne for taking picture of the boys before they headed off to the banquet.


Day 347 - December 13, 2014

Love it when I price match ground beef and then get 12 packages to make meatballs. Today was the day and in the end there was about 1280 meatballs made...so much easier to just grab the meatballs out of the freezer when I need them instead of making them from scratch each time. Definitely ready to relax and watch the hockey game tonight.






Day 348 - December 14, 2014

Carsten worked hard to make a Lego nutcracker for the door decorating contest at school and it looks great.


 Day 349 - December 15, 2014

I love the notes that get left on my wipe board...Thank you Addison for this super sweet message you left me :)


Day 350 - December 16, 2014

Today I was a bit nervous to get acupuncture done but it actually wasn't bad at all...we will see how it helps my knee out.


Day 351 - December 17, 2014

After watching the Wings game last night and saw a stellar save and a really cool mask...I had to go find a picture of it so I could check out the detail a little closer. Pretty cool mask Jimmy Howard!


Day 352 - December 18, 2014

The winning door...Carsten's Grade 7/8's decorated door.


Day 353 - December 19, 2014

A school skate to end the year...so much fun!


Day 354 - December 20, 2014

Our family Christmas party started with a trip to Adventure Bay...it was a lot of fun! We had supper at Swiss Chalet and came back to my parent's house to open stockings. The 2nd picture is of all the grandkids with the hats that Aunt Rosemary made for them.



Day 355 - December 21, 2014

Today we had our Sunday School Christmas program and this is Savannah's class reciting some verses from the Bible and the second picture is the class that Kim and I teach singing Away in a Manger.



Here are a few pictures from our gift opening..."Sanna" loved handing out gifts...Alex is thrilled to be getting to go pick out his own hamster with Kim, Carsten loving his bow tie, and Mark with his secret Santa, Savannah.




Day 356 - December 22, 2014

It's amazing what you find under the couch when you move it to vacuum...We found wrapping paper, tape, a dinky car, little people and a phone...but a hockey stick Savannah??


Day 357 - December 23, 2014

Alex was very excited to go with Kim to pick out his own hamster...so without further ado, we introduce you to Alvin...



Day 358 - December 24, 2014

Loved opening up the Lego Advent Calendar that I got at the school's Fall Fair. Some days I got to open a few because I got busy. Lots of new fun lego pieces to play with


Day 359 - December 25, 2014

The stockings were filled and ready to be opened...Savannah was there to capture the memories



Day 360 - December 26, 2014

We met up with Jenny, Brian and the girls on the way to visiting family in the US. Ava and Savannah found some great boxes of candy in one of the stores we stopped in. After a little shopping, we made our way to the VanderSloot Family Christmas party and I have to say it was one of my favourites in a number of years...from snacks to supper to gift exchanges to sports, we all mingled and had a lot of fun. Next year I hope my knee is better so I can join in on the sports :)



Day 361 - December 27, 2014

This farm brought back so many memories...I remember exploring the barn, petting the cats, dogs, and cows...playing in the hay...visiting Uncle Paul and Aunt Laurina was always a highlight of our trips to GR. Thanks so much for having us again.


Day 362 - December 28, 2014

Got to love this Chocolate toonie that Kim gave to me...how cool is that? I decided to take a picture of a real toonie with so you could see the size difference.


Day 363 - December 29, 2014

Last year for Christmas Mark gave me a night away...we never made it away but he gave me a trip to Ripley's Aquarium this year and so we were off today...There is just something so mesmerizing about fish, sharks, jelly fish, etc.







And a video of jelly fish...



Day 364 - December 30, 2014

Beep, Beep, Beep...there was a fire alarm going off in the middle of the night at the hotel we were staying at. After hearing numerous times that they were investigating on the 5th floor...we decided to head down as it was going to take a while for me to go down 25 flights of stairs with a bummed knee (stairs are not my friend since late October). We made it to the 6th floor before we were told that we could now resume our activities?!?!? So we went one more set and took the elevator back up to our room on the 25th floor. Try sleeping after that...not so easy.


After checking out in the morning we headed over to the St. Lawrence Market...it was fun to explore the market and have some breakfast. This building was inside the front doors...so cool! The second picture is Chris' Crepe...Chocolate Hazelnut, Peanut butter, Bananas and Whip Cream...I think this may be my first crepe and wowsers, it was AMAZING!!!



Day 365 - December 31, 2014

A few of us gathered together to ring in the NewYear and this is the clock that the grownups were looking at and willing it to move quicker...we were all tired and ready to say Happy New Year before heading home to bed. The kids were all bouncing around and full of energy.