Spring Break Cruise

Well another family vacation has come and gone. We flew to LA and took a four night cruise to Catalina Island and Ensenada, Mexico. We're calling the vacation more of an adventure instead of a vacation as we met with a few challenges keeping the kids entertained on the cruise ship and sleeping in the same room with both kids coughing incessantly was a drag. We did have some fun though and here are a few of the highlights.

Here is one reason why we didn't spend a lot of time in the dining room.

Garrett loved the day at Catalina Island. He didn't want to leave the beach.

Playing hide and go seek on the top deck mini golf course. This was a highlight for me.

A little entertainment for the boat. Garrett walked around the cruiseship playing his drum and drew a lot of attention. So cute!

Walking around Ensenada. It looks relaxing but Kelsey insisted on touching everything and in Mexico you don't want to stop for a second or it looks like you want to buy something. She's definately going to be a shopper. Yippee!!!

A big highlight for the kids was the endless supply of ice cream. Messy but yummy.

Garrett was quite the golfer. He actually did one hole in 3 shots.

It Finally Snowed!!

Well it finally snowed. We skipped soccer this morning to get out and enjoy the weather in case it started to rain. The kids loved it. I thought Kelsey would wimp out but she was a trooper and we stayed out for about 1 1/2 hours. Garrett even went out for a second play later in the day.

Garrett loves his new snow shovel that Gran gave him for Christmas. He shoveled everything including much of Kilmarnock.

Kesley tried and tried to make a snowball but usually dropped whatever snow she managed to pick up before she stood up. I started to hand her snow so she could throw it at me.

Sledding down the back stairs. Seemed like a good idea until I got a huge load of snow down the back of my pants. Brrrrrrrrr...

You can't have a snow day without a snowball fight.

Kesley prefered biking the slippery driveway instead of struggling to walk in the snow.

We were lucky enough to have a visit from Grandpa Jerry, Gran, and Bella. Garrett got to try out his new snowshoes that Grandpa bought him for Christmas. They are so cool! He did very well but thought they were too heavy.

January 2011

Well I have to admit that I have had no energy at the end of a day to work on this blog. The problem is that if I wait too long it gets harder and harder to keep it up to date. So here it is... a quick summary of the past month.

Kelsey got close and personal with a "Moo".

Kelsey is a big fan of the farm. Unfortunately, she saw a horse poo and now you can't say farm or horse to her without her replying, "Neigh. Poo."

Kelsey and Garrett love racing up and down the hallway. Both are big cheaters and Kelsey usually trips after about 10 steps.

Garrett usually insists that he races wearing his soccer jersey. According to him he can't play soccer or race without a number on his back.

Garrett tried ice skating. He didn't really like using the bar but preferred Cary holding him up and pulling him around the ice.

Garrett turned 3! He had two birthday parties and had a great time at both.

Playing with the cousins.

Big dinner number two! Loving sitting with cousin Caige who he thinks is so cool.

Kelsey is in a big dress up phase. We can't keep her away from Garrett's swim stuff.

Bathtime at our house is anything but relaxing. Garrett and Kelsey end their baths by running around in either their shark or monster towels growling and screaming.

So cute!

Our kitchen floor has been undergoing $expensive$ renos for the past two weeks. Bob was great with the kids and this is Garrett learning to drill. It was really cute watching him help using all of his plastic tools.

Christmas 2010

We had a great Christmas this year. The kids were so excited and were spoiled rotten. Here are some of the highlights.

The festivities started on the 24th with a delicious dinner at Uncle Dean's and Aunty Meghan's. Here's Kelsey wearing the dress she picked out while shopping with Daddy. She took it off the shelf at Carter's and didn't let go until she got it home. Looks like she's going to be a shopper. :)

Aunty Megs and Kelsey checking out all of the sparkling lights below.

Here's Garrett setting up a nice display of toys for Santa.

Garrett insisted we leave chocolate milk, cookies, and 'dirty' carrots for Santa and his reindeer. I'm still not sure why the carrots had to be dirty but according to Garrett that's how they like them.

The kids checking out their loot.

On to part two of the day. A yummy breakfast/lunch and Gran's and Grandpa's house and another round of opening gifts.

Uncle Dean and Aunty Meg's checking out their new photobook staring themselves and the kids.
Kelsey and Bella testing her new couch.

After an afternoon nap Kelsey is happy to start opening more gifts from Grandma Sharon and Grandpa. Spoiled rotten once again!

Christmas thank-you kisses.

Round four of opening gifts at Grandma Debbie's.

Garrett and Austin having fun and playing with some new toys.

This photo depicts a typical Kelsey moment. She has stolen Garrett's special Simba and his favourite two monster truck Maters (the dinosaur hat is just a nice touch). She will then go and show him and run as fast as her little feet will carry her. Poor Garrett.

Thanks for a great Christmas everyone!

Hide and Go Seek Champion

Kelsey has learned to love playing hide and go seek but unlike her brother she is really good at it. Garrett can't contain himself and will go and hide while we count but by the time we say, "Ready or not, here I come," he is running out of his hiding spot and yelling, "Here I am!" Kelsey on the other hand disappears and sits silently until you find her.

Here she is hiding in our closet. She sat in silence until I found her then she pretended she wasn't there.

Now she's telling me to "Shhhhhhhh" so that I won't give up her hiding spot to Garrett.

Hiding in the tunnel. She wouldn't even look at me when I found her. She likes to pretend that I can't see her.

Hiding under a blanket. She actually keeps this up for too long and usually walks into a wall or two.

Guess who helped decide what she wanted to wear today?

Grouse Mountain

Garrett, Kelsey, Gran, Aunty Megs and I went up Grouse Mountain today to play in the snow. Garrett loves the snow but Kelsey thinks it's too cold.

Kelsey finding her 'snow legs'.

"Mommy! I've fallen and I can't get up!"

Santa's reindeer.

Garrett's got pretty good aim and just hit Gran with a snowball which ended up down her shirt. Brrrrr....

Kelsey enjoying the sleigh ride with Aunty Megs. This is her "Cheese!" face.