Without Power Again …

Well today was the day that Mike decided to add the new panel box …
 the new one will provide power for the main utilities …
using the generator …
as we have had numerous power outages in the last couple months …


We needed to find activities that did not require using power …
as it was disconnected for a quite a few hours …
It was the perfect time for Ella to bring out her ring making kit …
a paint tarp was placed on the floor … just in case there was some paint spilled …

We also took out the bracelet making loom … and continued to create …
we all learned a lot …making necklaces and bracelets …

After the electrical work was completed … and the guys had their dinner …
Nathan decided he wanted to put his shop stools together …
the boys thought they were really cool …
sitting and twirling around …
James figured that "Ruffy the dog" needed to have a turn as well … 

Boxing Day Activities …

December 26, 2013

Quiet time with Oma … then Ella creating … apply her tattoos …

James and the gang making markers …
adding the correct amount of colour drops to make new colours …

Ella modelling her new headband and both pairs of fingerless gloves …
and of course the Teddy's had to be in the picture …

An afternoon down at the lake …
Craig taking time to make a snowman ….
and pausing from his hockey game …
 to share his gear with the snowman for a photo shoot …

It was a beautiful day to go skating … 2 rinks were made by members of the community …
one for leisure skating and one hockey rink …
the children enjoying hot cocoa and cookies out on the dock …

JC and Ruckus enjoying the warmth of the sun on the deck …

And let the games begin …
it was quite a hockey match …
the goalies had a challenge as they were without gear or sticks …
 A great workout for everyone …

Hoping to enjoy more skating in the next few days …

More of Christmas Day …

Nathan not impressed … with packages being wrapped separately …
he was excited when he unwrapped his GoPro Action Camera …
he was also given a card for 2014 …
stating that this was part of his Birthday gift too …
and not to expect anything else …

We loved all the gifts that Ian, Kendall, Daigen and Nixon sent us …
love the pictures of the boys …
and Grandpas mouse pad … journal and keychain with little handprints …
so adorable …
and I loved my 'Hope' t-shirt and cookbook from Daigen's school …
I am excited to try out some of the recipes ..
Mike was thrilled to get his Jumbo Max grips for his golf clubs …
and aid for arthritic hands …

I was so surprised when I opened my gifts …
all I asked for were Trekking Poles …
and ended up with new Touring Ski Package … Yipeeee… !!!
Just have to take them in to town and have all the adjustments made for me …

Mike and Nathan trying out the back belt …
relaxing for 20 min on the floor …
while the belt did what it was supposed to do …
they both felt quite a difference in how they felt afterwards …

As you can see the boys received remote controlled Helicopters …
from Grandma and Grandpa …
and Nathan had gotten one as well …
It was rather difficult to try and get Christmas dinner made with three choppers …
flying around my head and kitchen …
But it was great fun … watching and listening to the laughter … !!!

A quiet Christmas dinner for this household …
little Ella had not been feeling well … and had fallen asleep …
we enjoyed a wonderful meal …
with pumpkin pie for dessert … requested by Katie …!!!
I believe we were all stuffed just as the turkey had been …

… Merry Christmas …
2013

On Christmas Day …

December 25, 2013

Well …  Santa definitely arrived at our house …stockings were spilling over…
I guess he wasn't aware that the kids were not in Mexico …
and extra little gifts were left here …

The children were excited to receive a 3D Nintendo DS in their stockings …
and not sure where Santa found Nathan's other stocking …
but it was filled as well …
few extra items that were not available in Mexico …

Handmade by Grandma for Ella …
a headband and fingerless gloves …

Some gifts … new shoes … hair dryer … jacket … iPod …
 and a Dr. Ho back relief back belt for Grandpa …

We received some beautiful ceramic pottery made in Mexico …
from the Nathan … Katie and children …

Javier Servin
From the state of Guanajuato in Central
Mexico is a master of ceramic arts. His 
first workshop was out of his parents home,
nearly 25 years ago. Now Servin runs his 
oasis work shop where he heads a team of
more than 30 other master ceramists. All
of his creations are hand shaped and hand
painted to perfection. His collections 
range from dinnerware to home decor and 
jewelry. Servin's pieces are all lead free
and have a design and presence like no other.

Oma receiving a DVD of The Dean Martin Roast … pictures of Daigen and Nixon …
the 2nd edition of Alysa Edwards Memoir … Cookies …
And a gift card for iTunes … 

Katie a received some of the hoar frost pictures that I had taken …
 and then Nathan surprised her with an extra special gift …
A beautiful designer purse … she was overwhelmed with emotion … !!!

More photos tomorrow … of the rest of our Christmas Day …

Our Christmas Eve …

December 24, 2013

The morning started out with a game of fuse-ball …
then checking out the gifts that were already under the tree …
wondering if there were any with their names on them …
then heading outside after lunch … to go out sledding …
and being pulled around with the Quad by grandpa …

Playing a board game of Hide & Seek …
trying to find hidden objects scattered on the board …
Nathan had brought a "Nacho Libre" mask … and Oma tried it on … wow … !!!
then it was time for the kids to beat up on dad …
always right in the middle of the kitchen …
while I am trying to get dinner organized … 'Darn Kids" …

Oma lending a hand in a the kitchen … preparing the "Hot Potatoe Salad"
to have with our European Wieners and Sauerkraut …

Our traditional Christmas Eve dinner …
Ian & Kendall were having theirs in Houston, Texas …
as well as the Roberts family … Jake loving this tradition ….

I had won a coupon for a DQ ice cream cake …
asked Nathan to pick up Christmas one for dessert …
and this is what he brought home … "Duck Dynasty"…
I had left the room for a couple minutes and he cut into it before I could take a picture …
hence all the lines on the top …
Ella scooping up some of the black icing … and scaring us when she opened up her mouth …
YUK…!!!

After dinner it was time to make the traditional…
"Knight Family Fudge" …
this recipe goes back to Mike's grandfather … only the men in the family make it …
although everyone takes turns stirring the mixture in the pot …
until the right consistency is acquired …

Mixer ready to whip up the fudge … Nathan ready with the spatula …
to spread it into a buttered pan …
having to work quickly as it hardens fast …
The rest of us waiting to scrape out the pot and lick the beaters …

Another great batch of Christmas Fudge was made …
everyone having a taste …
soooooo creamy … !!!
MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

Christmas In Mayook Gathering …

Sunday, December 22, 2013

It was another lovely evening at the Mayook Schoolhouse …
family, friends, and neighbours gathering …
visiting … reminiscing … singing …  and eating all the goodies …
We also had a raffle … a beautiful Christmas basket … to support out community …
Craig was asked to draw the name of the lucky winner …

What a wonderful surprise while we were singing …
"Santa Clause is Coming to Town" with the children …
when we heard jingle bells ringing …
and Ho Ho Ho …
and in thru the door came Santa Claus …!!!
The children were so excited and waited patiently for their names to be called out …
to come up and receive a gift …

 

We continued to sing Christmas carols …

throughout the evening …

 ending with a beautiful rendition of "Silent Night" …

We were so grateful that Nathan and his family arrived safely …

to join us in the festivities …

Merry Christmas …

Have a joyous day with your loved ones … !!!

Carolling in The Valley …

December 21, 2013
 

Had a lovely evening celebrating Christmas with our friends …

singing Christmas carols … eating all the delicious goodies … 

visiting and having fun …

especially when Santa paid us a surprise visit …

the children were so excited …

Wishing Ian and Kendall a Happy 7th Anniversary …

hope you have a wonderful evening … spending some alone time together …

since the grandparents are there to watch the boys …

Fresh Tart Made …

 

This is the Cranberry and Mincemeat Tart …

made with the puff pastry dough and not the phyllo sheets …

I will make sure from now on to get the right dough …

Took it to a Carolling Christmas Party …

and it was devoured … not a crumb was left …!!

Beautiful Bouquet …

 

 

What a wonderful surprise … for me …

when Mike came back home from town …

I was given this beautiful arrangement of flowers …

adding a special touch …

amongst all the festive decorations around the house …

Thank you so much … Mike 

love