pinball machine

so here it is Francois' new toy. He has been looking for a pinball machine for a few years now but only in the past year and a half can I say that he has been serious about it. So about a month ago is when he spotted this one and made the call. Then he talked about it for a few days and then he said I am going to check it out. Then I knew it was serious, he said before leaving to go see it (with a trailer) if I get it, it will be my Christmas present. So he came back with the machine a couple hours later.

The children and I are enjoying it also. But I can say that Francois is like a little kid when he goes down to the basement saying I'm going to play a little game with a smirk on his face.

So if you happen to pass by and whant to try it you are most welcome to, we need some new names on the high score list!

christmas cookies

we made our christmas cookies this year on the 23, a little late but we still enjoyed them just as much. We went with a rich butter shortbread cookie.

the kids had fun rooling the dough and cutting out little boys and girls out.

And it is sad to say but they are all gone already!

sledding

this was our activity of the day. Even at a frigid 18 degrees we went out the whole family to Pigeon Creek park. It was very nice as long as we kept moving. Even Xavier came along but did not notice much of what was going on.

We went down the hill many times and when we stop it was because we where hungry otherwise we could of kept on going. Julien and Olivia had a good time.

It was good fluffy snow and once it was packed down good we where able to get some good speed and a few bumps!

Then we went out to eat for lunch at one of our favorite in town "Wild Chef" the Japanese steak house. The kids always like to watch the show as they prepare our food.

Back home for some good chilling time, drinking hot cocoa, playing a game of uno and more shoveling.

pulla

Today we wanted to do outdoor activities but since it was so cold and windy we stayed inside.

So I decided to bake Finnish pulla. This is a sweet pastry bread with cardamon. It is sooooo good.

Every Christmas my lovely sister-in-law makes this, and since we are by ourselves this year I thought I would keep this tradition and make it myself with a little help from my kids.

This bread is delicious when lightly toasted and buttered either for breakfast or desert.

snow day

We had a big system of snow move through our area Friday, and another one today Sunday. We are covered in snow.

Friday was the first time ever where Francois and his partners decided to close the offices. The phones kept ringing and by 8:30am half the patients had already canceled their appointments.

So we stayed inside and by 3pm when things calmed down we went out. It was Xavier first time out for more than 10 minutes and first time out in the snow. We took a little walk in the neighborhood. We had a nice neighbor friend who offered to take a family picture. This is our first one of all of us and everyone is looking in the same direction.

On the picture of Olivia you can see the blowing snow and that is nothing compare to what we are having now. It is nearly a whiteout and about a foot of snow accumulation for today! We will definitely remember this Christmas.

happy holidays

Some of you have seen some of these pictures already. They are part of our Christmas card this year. Some you we may not have your address or have not gotten your card yet!

I had fun taking these pictures a few weeks back. they are growing so fast these little monsters.

We are all ready for the holidays. It will quiet this year no parties or gatherings. It will be just the 5 of us. Quaint, simple, quiet, hopefully peaceful. We will make the most of it. Fortunately, daddy will be around all the week so we can have some special family time all together.

We are planning to do many little updates here in the next week to let you know what we are up to, what we received for Christmas, cutes photos, and watch maybe for a few videos!

gingerbread house

this is Julien's first gingerbread house experiment and mine also.

I went to Julien's school today and assisted him in building this gingerbread house. We had a ginger bread story, snack and the house to built. I have to say it was a lot of fun, especially eating the candy.

We had a difficult time starting but we got creative as time went on and Julien even had the idea to make a little pond in the front to the right with little red fishes in it!

The only thing is what a mess it made!

baby it is cold outside

but so warm inside our house with this little guy around.

Xavier is growing, getting longer, packing on the weight, more alert each day, tons of smiles to give us, discovered his hands this weekend and even started so sweet cooing sounds.

He sure hates to get bundled up to go out. Especially when it comes the time to put his hat on. And we have to do this at least twice a day to go pick up his big brother from school. I should take a picture of him and I can guaranty you he does not look as cute and sweet. Well its tough being so little in such a harsh climate!

snowmen

Here is our first snowmen of the winter, but surely not the last one. The kids had fun making this big guy. It was a nice day with a bit of sunshine. Hopefully we get more so we can have a white Christmas.

content

this is how our little 9 weeks old little guy is. He is just so happy all the time. Starting to smile when we look at him, making happy sounds, moving around his little hands, and looking sweetly at us when we hold him, cause he sure loves to be held.

practice

practice, practice, makes perfect. That is what Julien is going for these days as he is working very hard on his Christmas piece for his recital coming up in about a month.

Julien has been making a lot a progress in the last 4 months playing his violin. I think it now makes sense to him and he is enjoying it. He does not complain when its time to practice, and that we repeat the same piece over and over again.

I can't wait to be able to sit back and listen to him lull me with beautiful music piece from Bach or Mozart. Right now it is more screechy and sounds something like Frere Jacques, Mary had a little lamb, Twinkle twinkle little star or Hot cross bun but it works he is only 5.

first smile

Last Wednesday, November 5, we where so happy to see our little boy make his first smiles for us in the early morning. I got the first one right after a feeding then we came into the kitchen to have breakfast with daddy and there again another smile for daddy.We got a few more smile throughout the day. Everyday now we get those sweet smiles, my favorites one are those side one or the crooked mouth. It is just so charming. I have had a difficult time catching them with the camera so this is why I waited to post it. So enjoy these little smiles and hope that they will brighten your day as much as it brightens ours!

these kids

are my pride and joy. Every day I am thankful for them. I always dreamed that one day I would be a mommy. But I never thought it would be that rich of an experience. Even tough there challenging, frustrating, demanding and questioning moments it is well worth the ride. And with all the love that is brought from these little people you forget all the rest. I cherish these children and I try to enjoy them to the fullest every day since we never know what awaits us tomorrow. I try to forget the wining, crying, sleepless nights, at the end of the day and focus on the gift of life, joy, love and giving we share together.

fall walk

We went for a nice walk this past weekend at Hemlock Crossing. We walked a mile and a half. The kids where tired after the walk but had a great time. It was nice to see the fall colors and enjoy a beautiful sunshiny day.

We can't believe Xavier is almost 6 weeks old! Still such a good baby. He sleeps a lot, smiles, cuddles, a very sweet baby what! He now sleeps 6-7 hrs at night, we are so spoiled.

I am almost sad to see him grow up and to leave the newborn days behind us, as they are my most favorite moments

just a few snapshots

of my kids last Friday. We went to a park to play and enjoy the beautiful fall weather. I had a good time running down the sand dunes with the kids, pushing them on the swing and then even had some quiet time for myself and got to read a magazine. I took my camera along and got a few good pictures. I have to say that fall is one of my favorite season after summer.

When I got home and looked at the pictures I was shocked at how Julien looks so much older. He has grown so much, he is not my little tornado toddler boy anymore, he is my boy and still a tornado!