Two girls very excited for Christmas! Posing with the mall tree has become a tradition.
They wrote their letters to Santa. Gwen asked for a DS and Animal Crossing.
Cara asked for a Zoomer Kitty and a 3D pen. She included a game for Santa to play in her letter.
We got the Nativity set out and the kids enjoyed playing crazy games with the Wise Men.
Even Twinkles, our Elf on the Shelf, had to take a peek!
Gwen has been taking piano lessons since October and has really been doing great. She practiced very hard for her recital.
Gwen played three songs, including a duet with her teacher.
She nailed it!
Three songs from a real pianist!
Gwen was nervous but had a great time.
She also looked adorable.
We decorated the tree together and the kids were able to help quite a bit.
It's been cold cold COLD in Calgary. The kids get bundled up for their walk to and from school and a lot of days don't get to play outside.
Cara finished her skating lessons and moved on to Level 4. She is now the best skater in the family!
We did some baking and made this cool gingerbread tree!
Twinkles got into all kinds of mischief this month. Luckily the marker she used was erasable!
The girls had fun decorating the gingerbread house from Grampy. One of their favourite Christmas activities!
Any excuse for candy!
The leftovers were their favourite part!
The girls had their Christmas concert at school on the last day. Cara was the emcee and did great. She was on stage on-and-off for an hour and a half introducing all the acts and reading some poems. She did two shows in one day and was great at it!
Some dabbing Christmas girls.
Ready for Christmas...
and so is her sister!
Gwen's class sang "Dealing with the Reindeer" and it was awesome. Gwen was front row center and did a great job.
Cara and her emcee partner introducing Gwen's class.
We decided to check out the Nutcracker ballet at the Jubilee this year. Mom and Dad had gone 10 years ago with Nana, and figured we'd check it out again. The girls didn't realize there was no talking or singing until after we had bought the tickets. But they were good sports.
It was a hit! A bit too long but they liked most of it. They both agreed it would be better with some talking and/or singing.
We went to see the Big Guy. The girls told him they'd been good all year. He seemed to agree.
We all had a nice long vacation so we filled the days with some Christmas crafts.
Here we are making some tree decorations.
We had raclette on Festivus as per tradition. We do this to celebrate Mom and Dad's engagement 11 years ago.
On Christmas Eve after church we had some meat pie which was delicious. The girls got some magic sleeping pajamas from Santa while we were out. They put them on right away to warm up from the snow storm outside.
The advent candle is all the way down...that can only mean one thing...
Christmas Eve! The girls opened a present from each other and got ready to go to bed.
They hung their stockings with care...
in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.
We left out some cookies, a carrot and some milk. Also a few letters for Santa.
Cosmo was very interested in what was going on. He seemed a bit spooked...maybe from a stranger being in the house overnight? He greeted the girls in the morning to tell them about what was waiting downstairs....
Christmas morning!!!! The kids slept in a little bit - 8:00ish. And then they were ready to tear into the gifts!
Cara got the ski mask she wanted.
Gwen got an super cute outfit that included a beret!
Cara got a Zoomer Kitty!
So did Gwen!
Cara asked for the first Harry Potter book and Santa delivered.
Mom made some hats and matching hats for their dolls.
Cara likes BIG presents and a scooter for her doll from Mom and Dad was one of the biggest.
Gwen got a horse for her doll!
Gwen got her DS from Santa and had the same reaction as Cara last year: "What is this?"
Once she read it, she knew!
Cara got a cool 3D pen from Santa too. It really works!
We surprised the girls with a WiiU and a bunch of games (with some help from Aunt Jill). They were shocked and it is a big hit.
Later that morning...we took it easy and ate a late supper and they enjoyed looking at their haul. Gwen got a little hot being in her PJs all day.
Barley toys are not their favourite treats.
We played some Clue (thanks Grampy) and taught the kids the power of deduction.
Christmas after dinner shot. Notice only one person is dressed.
On Boxing Day the girls' friend Freya and her parents came over.
We had a blast!
We went skating at Bowness. It was a bit windy but that just helped push us along the ice.
That night we checked out the Lions lights. We all look forward to this every year because we can usually get in some night sliding at the same time.
They had a new display to celebrate Canada's birthday.
Some gingerbread kids.
Riding the Polar Express.
The next day, Gwen went and got her ears pierced. She had been asking to do it all fall, so we went to Shoppers and got it done. She was super brave.
And looks great!
Cara was much more nervous but decided she wanted to do it too. She was super brave too!
Looks great!
Gwen gave Mom a puzzle for Christmas that she wanted...we all helped put it together. A new tradition?
On New Year's Eve the girls' friends Leah and Sidney came over with their parents. We played 8-way Smash Bros. and it was a blast.
Then we rang in the New Year in Newfoundland and the Maritimes.
Then one last hug before going to bed for the last time in 2016!
