Boxing Day at the Beach

I frequent a great number of blogs, from all over the continent. And though I am sometimes jealous of people who have abundant snow falls for Christmas, or others (from the Florida Keys maybe?) who can go for a swim before their turkey dinner, there's something to be said for living in a place where we have four distinct seasons. And though some joke that our four seasons all involve rain and temperatures between 10 and 2o degrees, that's not quite true.

So when today dawned bright, clear and cold! I knew we should head to the beach.

First person I saw was this one. Wow, I'm sure I had a ski suit like that back in the 80s...only mine probably wasn't quite that bright! And I think I may even have had a purple and green backpack like that.



The light at the beach was phenomenal. No wonder the beach was packed with people out for afternoon walks.

I had a lot of fun playing 'round with camera settings and trying to snap pictures of the kids. Though they were moving a little fast for me most of the time.



I love the colours this time of year. And the light. Actually, I always thought fall was my favorite time of year, but I'm starting to think maybe it's winter. As long as it's not too wet.






The frost is sticking all day long in some spots. It's so pretty.

Oh, and did I mention Ellie got her hair cut? She's been nagging me about it for weeks so we finally settled on a compromise. Elisabeth wanted her hair short, like it was this time last year. I couldn't quite bear to go that short again, so we settled on a shoulder length bob. I quite like it.








We walked all the way down to the train bridge. Just as we reached there, we heard a train hooting. So we rushed up to the top and settled in to watch.







I told Elisabeth to put her runners on before we left, but in the rush out the door, I forgot to double check what she'd actually put on. So when we arrived at the beach, I was dismayed to see what her choice had been:

Christmassy

My brother got hisself a new game this Christmas and last night both he (David) and Rob came over to play. I was really, really, really bad at Squint, but I think I'm just out of practice. Squint is like Pictionary except instead of using pen and paper to draw, you have to use these cards.

Here is one of my turns that I was really proud of:

I meant to take a picture of the Christmas baking we had out, but I forgot. So you'll have to make do with this picture of Rob and Dave instead ;)

Today was Dave's last day off till next week. Dave has decided that Uncle Rob is his favorite person in the whole entire world. They play lego all day long. I would be so bored. Davey is very lucky to have an uncle who loves playing with him.

And tinker's pretty happy too since if David's occupied, that means she gets me all to herself.

As Dave is back at work tomorrow, we opened presents from and to him tonight. We made him and Alexis share their present. Aren't they cute opening it together? Yeah, I thought so too :)

More lego creations....
Ellie opening her present from uncie Dave.

And our tree. I hadn't wrapped our presents yet, and tonight I thought the kids would never fall asleep! But they finally did and so I quickly wrapped and stuffed stockings and poured the milk back in the container and crumbled the cookies that I didn't make Andrew eat. I can't wait for tomorrow!

Merry Christmas one and all!!

There's been a lot of Christmas baking going on in our house. Davey has been a most awesome helper.

And a great taste tester too. These are his favorite, and mine too. Linzer cookies. MNNN

Here are a few of the things we've made. Can't wait to try some of them!!

For Seth's birthday we met the Abelmans at the Minter Gardens Country Store to check out the new indoor displays and ride the Christmas train.

They had a one horse open sleigh...
And a couple of Christmas scenes.

Here's Andrew and I before we rode the train.

And Darren and Tash.


And this is everyone after.

Soaking wet.


Seth was super affectionate. He and Elisabeth are super cute together too :)

His birthday cake.

Check out Seth's tongue...I think he's excited about the birthday cake!!