January and February Birthdays

We never had winter birthdays with my kids. They were all born between August and November. Now that our family has grown we have lots of birthdays year round. Coleman turned 1 in January. We drove up for the day and got to see Casey's kids as well.

 

Maddi celebrated her 8th birthday at our house this year. We had a nice lasagna dinner that Melanie made. Then in February we came up to see her baptized. How are my grandbabies getting so big? Sami turned 11 on Valentine's Day. She is my favorite Valentine's present ever. We didn't get to see her on her big day but we sent our love (as well as candy and cash).

 Kate the great turned 5 the day after Valentine's Day. She is our mini-Matt. We went over to their place and enjoyed some cake. Then Allie turned the big 30 shortly after. Now we can all breathe a sigh of relief for a little while and take a short intermission from birthdays. Phew.

 

Holidays 2012

For Thanksgiving this year we went to Casey's house in River Heights. I taught him everything there is to know about cooking.

Turkey syndrome.

Now for the most important holiday: Christmas. For my work white elephant gift I made this vase out of plastic spoons. It was a hit.

Our work Christmas card was also a hit.

I take each of my grandbabies to Disneyland for their 5th birthday. We took Kate a little early this year (her birthday is in February) so we could experience it during the holidays.

The verdict is in; it's magical.

Lil Winn man is one of my favorite Christmas presents.

Nelson and Holly's family slept over so I got to see some grandbabies open presents.

Shucks, just a tad too small.

Guess we'll have to go look for a XXXL size.

 

 

Nelson made Evy a Mickey Mouse snowman from my snowman kit.

We went up to Logan after Christmas. I (Mac was a party pooper) went ice skating with the kids. Good thing I took a dramamine before doing all the loops.

 

We went to Arizona to celebrate the New Year with Clint and Jannie.

Can't wait until next year!

 

 

Beautiful British Columbia, eh

 Just got back from Vancouver, Canada with my favorite daughter and favorite grandson!  The forecast said rain (liquid sunshine) but we were blessed with 1 1/2 beautiful days (the first day was crap). Here is a view of Canada Place from the ferry to North Vancouver.

 I've been here before and it was reasonably priced, but since they added a skywalk overlooking the bridge, the price was exorbitant. We took a train, ferry and bus to get here and we took one look at the prices and hopped back on the bus. Guess we're true McFarlands.

The view of Vancouver city from Longsdale Quay, which I pronounce "kway".

 This whale gives my eyes the jitters just lookin' at it. Canada Place and a view of North Vancouver Island and the mountains.

 We just love taking walks through Stanley Park along the harbour. Many people were oat and aboat jogging, biking and taking pictures of the fall leaves. We also went to a Halloween festival here Friday night, complete with a train through the Watcher in the Woods forest.

 I just love autumn, you guys.

 My first thought of eating poutine was ewwww, but after tasting it I was hooked. Who doesn't love fries, cheese curds and gravy together in one piping hot bowl?

 Winns was a good sport but he hated being cooped up in the stroller in that awful life jacket coat he was wearing. He could barely move his arms.

 The Harbour.

 Here's me talking to my other daughter who texted me and called me while I was away. You kids are like fly paper!

The totem poles at Stanley Park. I felt like a real Native Canadian after seeing these!

We had a great time in Canada. It was brisk and chilly at times but you cannot beat the beauty of the mountains and the ocean together, combined with super nice people everywhere you go. My one complaint: the dollar menu at McDonald's is more like a $3 menu.

Yay for Canada!

The Strain: Part 2

We had another strain visit our family at the end of September. This time Maggie was the initiator. She will deny this and blame Heather but as far as our family is concerned: Maggie started it! Everytime we get together as a family it spreads like wildfire. Let's list all that were affected:

Maggie

Holly

Casey

Nelson

Melanie

Sami

Vera

Elena

Jack

 

Thank goodness we are all better now. Maybe we should cancel all family gatherings from here on out.



 

Enjoying Fall with Family

I have been doing lots of playing with my grandbabies. Coleman and me. I am loving this fall weather and jogging with my friend Shanna.

We went to my nephew Tim's wedding on Aug.31. This is my sister Shawna and me.

We then went to my mom's for our annual Labor Day get together. A lot of the cousins went up the night before so they could start catching fish early in the morning for our fish fry. This is little Hayden and Evy.

I made sure all my grandbabies got lifejackets for canoe rides at the pond.

Matt Matt took the kids out for rides.

Mac was such a trooper despite his GI distress.

My mom: 94 lbs and a bundle of energy.

My niece Melissa's boy Hayden on the swings Ford made.

My Sister 'Chele and the sign Stacy got for Ford.

I then watched Casey's kids the next weekend while they went to watch Ivun race in Lotoja. We celebrated Evy's 3rd birthday on Sept. 8. I made sure my piece of cake had lots of M&M's.

My grandbabies Maddi and Sami.

Vera, me, Maddi and Evy blowing bubbles.

 

I came to Logan AGAIN to visit my grandbabies. I helped Holly bottle her pears.

We had a girls' night out. Sami chose our activities for the night. We went to Rumbi grill and then to Zeppe's for italian ices. I got major brain freeze and almost needed CPR.

We then went to Apple Days which is River Heights's city activity. We had dinner cooked by the local Lion's Club which my father-in-law used to belong to.

There were lots of games for the kids which is right up my alley.