The Game of Life

This Christmas brought the game of Life.  We had a great time playing this game together on Christmas day and throughout the holiday!

Merry Christmas!

The boys wanted to make a deal that we would all get up at 7:15 to unwrap presents and that this year they would take their time opening the gifts so that they lasted longer!

I was up at 6, tossing and turning, getting their father up and out of bed was another story. By 7:30 everyone was up and dressed ready to get Christmas started!

 I had a bit of time to snap a couple of pictures before everyone was ready, which worked out really well because both boys knew they needed to comply :)

I ended up getting this perfect picture of the boys and Gizmo at the tree!

Stocking are always first!  New Pokemon cups, treats and a new dice game as well as stuffies!

Both of the boys were really excited with the presents they received!  Griffin still had many toys; drone, robots, magic kit, nerf guns and and an ipod. 

Owen received a chrome book, a Galaxy tab, hockey stick, a speaker and even a memory foam pillow he really wanted!

 Owen's favourite gift had to be this big set of Pokemon cards!  He just loves these cards!

I was spoiled as well!  New earrings, lulu lemon pants, Coach purse and a great stocking full of goodies!  Poor Tony only wanted an umbrella and he didn't get the right one!  

 The boys also received new snow scooters!  It didn't take them long to get outside and try them!  It was however a very cold day so they didn't last too long.

Christmas dinner was spent with my family and with Marci and her family!  It was a lovely time and lovely to spend it with Marci's small family as well!  Tony had some help getting the turkey ready from Lorne and making the "perfect" gravy!
We played games and were entertained with many magic tricks from the boys!

It's always sad when Christmas is over, so much preparation, but so many great memories are always made!  Merry Christmas everyone!

Christmas Eve

Christmas eve is always the boys favourite.  They love that both of their grandparents arrive and all of the holiday traditions of Christmas eve.

Each year they make  Magical Reindeer Food that they sprinkle on the front lawn.  They wait for awhile and then the reindeers leave the boys a Christmas eve present that usually includes new pajamas, a Christmas story and a Christmas stuffie!

 After they are in their new pj's we sit down to watch Christmas Vacation. Then the boys get their treats ready for Santa.  This year Griffin decided to give Santa some coke, but by the looks of it, he wanted to have some coke himself!

 The anticipation on Christmas eve is always the most exciting whether your a kid or an adult.  This year many of the presents were already waiting under the tree and the boys got more excited everyday seeing more and more presents appear!

The only disappointing part of Christmas eve is having to say good bye to our Elf Elliott.  The boys love their time with him each year and they are always sad to say goodbye.  Griffin made a special visit to Elliott just before bed to say good bye, telling him he couldn't wait to see him next year. Owen did as well!

 Before bed there is always a Christmas story.  This year it was Fly Guy's Christmas Ninja book read by Grandma.

 Not only do the boys say goodbye to their elf, but they also say goodbye to their elf's pet reindeer and dog.  Owen was especially sad to say goodbye.  He loved cuddling with them each night.  He gave a special kiss to both of them before bed.

All Star Game!

 Griffin participated in an All Star Game during his last practice before Christmas break!  The coach had planned a fun night for the kids!  There were skill competitions and a 4 on 4 game.

Griffin was thrilled!  He had the time of his life with his buddies!  Plus his team won every skill and the game as well!

 After the game, the boys were treated to pizza and presents.  Each boy received one of these pucks with their name and number on it!  Pretty cool keepsake!
Griffin is a lucky boy to have such a great coach and manager to put this all together for the team!

Coolest Christmas Present Ever!

 Here's how the story goes.....

We had bought Owen Anaheim Duck vs. Senator tickets for a Christmas present.  Tony picked Owen up at school at lunch on Thursday to surprise him with tickets for the game.  We had a new Ducks hat wrapped and a note explaining that he was off to the game as an early Christmas present and it was all because he has been so good the past few months showing respect, maturity and kindness.  Owen was thrilled!

Before this happened I had made a poster for Owen to take to the game hoping that his favourite player Ryan Kesler might notice him!  I also sent out multiple tweets to the team and to Ryan as well as messages on Facebook!  The Ducks did like my tweet, so I was hoping they might recognize Owen at the game.

 Here is Owen holding his sign before entering the game.  They got there plenty early so that they could get something to eat but also to watch the Ducks in warm up.  Owen positioned himself well so that he would be able to high five the players coming on and off the ice.  And this is where the best day ever began....

Owen received autographs from a few different players including Corey Perry, and Jonathan Bernier.

 Here is Corey Perry signing Owen's poster.  (should have thought ahead and had cards for him to get signed).

 He also received a game puck from the coach which has Ducks vs. Senators and the date on it.  The trainer also gave him a puck.

 Owen had been chatting with the usher and had been very polite with her.  The usher came to Tony and said what a great and polite kid Owen was.  She told Tony to come back down at the beginning of period two and she would keep her eye out for 2 open seats that they could come sit in.  Sure enough they had seats 6 rows from the ice right behind the ducks!

 Ready for the best part.....  After practice the Ducks were skating off and Ryan Kesler flew off and didn't stop as Owen had asked for his autograph.  Then he stopped in the tunnel, grabbed 1 of his sticks, ask the trainer to hold it while he autographed it and handed it to Owen!!  WOW!!  I'm pretty sure we will never be able to top this Christmas present ever!!

I do know, I am very glad we made the poster for Owen to take to the game and that his favourite player noticed it and made our's boys wish come true.... to not only see his favourite player but to get his autographed stick!

A huge thank you to the Ducks for making this such a memorable experience for Owen!
Merry Christmas Owen!

Girls Christmas Gathering!

We had our annual Girls Christmas Gathering this week!  It is always such a fun time getting together with these ladies!  We had lots of laughs, a few drinks and lots of yummy treats!

Snow Days!

 We've had a great start to the winter season... we have had 3 snow days already!  The boys have taken advantage of these days and built a cool snow fort!  Perfect for a snow ball fight.

When they switched school last year and started taking a bus to school, they couldn't wait for a snow day so they could stay home.  Now they have both decided that on the next snow day they are going to go to school because it is too boring to stay home all day!

Griffin's First Volleyball Tournament!

 Griffin is in grade 4, his first year that he can try out for sports teams at school.  He had a great time being part of the soccer team and now he is part of the volleyball team!  It was a very young team, mostly grade 4 students because Owen and his buddies in grade 6 didn't want to try out.

Griffin didn't care, he loved the early morning practices, being with his buddies, a day off school for the tournament and the best part being at mom's school!  They pulled off 1 win.  They didn't make it to the play offs but they sure had fun trying!