Ross Xmas

Xmas Day

Christmas Eve - Part 2

(Still catching up on 2011 posts so that I can print our 2011 blog book. You may notice a few more late posts before I am caught up!)

Once we were home from our visiting for the day, we had a quick dinner and then Maelyn got ready for bed. This year was the first year that she understood that we were getting ready for Santa to come to our house. It was so cute to watch her prepare for his arrival.

I am sure that Santa appreciated the lactose-free chocolate milk... :)

Getting the carrots ready for the reindeer...

Sampling the chocolate treats for Santa....yummy!

Paul and I have continued a tradition that my parents started with us kids. Every year we will give Maelyn (and eventually our new little monkey) an ornament on Christmas Eve. The ornament has the year on it and it usually part of a series. This way, when the kids move out, they will have ornaments that they can decorate their own tree with -- and hopefully think of our family Christmas memories.

Maelyn opened her ornament and was showing her Daddy where it should go...

 Merry Christmas!!

Christmas Eve

Our Christmas Eve tradition is a fun one -- Christmas brunch and gift exchange at Paul's parents house. Yummy food (especially the traditional sugar plum loaf), visiting with family, and new memories were made.

Grandpa Green

My two cuties...

Maelyn helping Grandpa Green open his gifts...

The coveted gift...

We then stopped by to visit the Wood's -- we always have such a great time hanging out with them!

Noah is such a sweetheart -- he played with Maelyn, helped her out,

and kept her entertained...

Maelyn killed herself laughing at the little dog that was there

for a visit with the kids Grandma...

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to our family, friends and faithful readers! We wish you all love and

happiness this holiday season.

We have already received the greatest gift -- our beautiful daughter, Maelyn.

Winter Wonderland

Last night we headed out for the wintery Christmas fun with our good friends Ash, Chris, and Addy. Our town puts on a Winter Wonderland event, which consists of Christmas lights, a skating rink, hot chocolate and the best of all -- train rides!

Maelyn was so excited to see Addyson -- they get along so well and they love playing together. When we got there, Maelyn saw the train and went crazy -- yelling to get her out of the car because she didn't want to miss the train. Ha!

The first thing we did, of course, was line up for a train ride...

Chris was a good sport and went for a train ride with the girls...

I couldn't be left out of the fun...

We then headed back to our house for hot chocolate, playtime and presents -- what could be better??

Maelyn got a cute ladybug doll -- gotta love the ladybug theme!! :)

I love the Christmas memories that we are building with Maelyn and our friends -- it means a lot to me to be able to celebrate as a family of three.

Mississauga Christmas

 We were very excited to get together for our second annual Mississauga Christmas with our wonderful friends. There was once a time I was able to get together with my kids at least once a week. Now, it is often way too long between our visits. I love them so very much and I miss them to bits!

We stopped by Bryanna, Cassidy, and Auntie Lianne's house before heading to the Woodburn household and Maelyn was able to spend some time with her God-sisters.

Bryanna showing Maelyn how to feed Charlie...

My beautiful Cassidy...

My sweet Brya...

At first, Maelyn wasn't into opening her gift --

that is, until she noticed the candy cane attached to it!

Love my kiddos!!

It takes my breath away that Maddie is looking so grown up...

Noah -- what a ham!

A Montreal fan -- another reason to love him!

Cheers to wonderful friends!!