Zoo Lights

On Saturday night, we had the chance to visit Zoo Lights with Grandma and Papa. The night was a little chilly but not too bad, especially by the fire pits. The lights were beautiful. Jaina had lots of fun playing at the many stations as well. Once back home, we got warm and cozy and enjoyed the hot cocoa made by Grandma in our pyjamas. It was a very fun family holiday activity.

This is Papa, building around Jaina with "ice" blocks.

This is Papa and Jaina by peacock lights:
Daddy and Jaina kiss in the Tunnel of Love:

The 12 Days of Christmas

Jaina, Lewis, Auntie Veronica and I went to Heritage Park on Saturday to the 12 Days of Christmas. It was lots of fun, and not a bad day weather-wise. We enjoyed a sleigh ride, meeting Santa, making a craft, shopping in the Christmas market, decorating a gingerbread cookie, and having lunch. Lewis spent the whole day being carried around in his new Snugli, in which, surprisingly, he slept most of the time. Here are some photos.

December Activities Have Begun...

We have had a very busy first weekend of December. On Friday, Jaina and I built a Gingerbread Train. (Much easier than it looks, with a premade kit, there were even grooves in the tray so it stands up easily!) We had lots of fun decorating it and sampling the icing and the candies.
On Saturday, we attended cousin Devun's first birthday party. Happy Birthday Devun! The theme was monkeys and Kristie made very very cute cupcakes that looked just like monkey faces. (But sadly, we forgot our camera.) Jaina was kept very busy showing Devun how to open gifts. Aside from cousins Nate and Kristie, Matt's Uncle Lawrence and Aunt Agnes were there, as well as cousins Ryan and Pam, and cousins Jocelyn and Jason and their daughter Megan. It was nice to visit with some of the Olfert clan. Then we went to a Christmas party with the staff from Michelle's school. It was fun to socialize with my former co-workers, and made me remember how glad I am not to have to write report cards and do interviews this year! A nice break, for sure.


Today we went to the Christmas party for kids put on by Matt's employer. It was out at Spruce Meadows and was so much fun! For Jaina, anyway. Lewis took it all in and then had a nap. There was cookie decorating, face painting, crafts, clowns, lunch, music, and even gifts from Santa for both of them. They both sat on Santa's knee, which was a little intimidating for Jaina. Even Santa's reindeer were there for the kids to pet. It was a nice family activity and we all enjoyed ourselves.
Fortunately, the weather has warmed up from the -25 degrees C weather we experienced earlier in the week. Today was a balmy high of 1 degree. Now we just have to do other December activities such as shopping and wrapping gifts, baking, and getting those Christmas cards ready to mail. (Hopefully, they will be on their way soon).