2009 Santa Clause Photo

Kelsey was quite fascinated with Santa Clause early in the season. She had seen him in the mall, and of course Tree House TV was playing Xmas specials all month. So, needless to say, she was keen to go sit on his knee. We asked her what she was going to ask him to bring her for Christmas, she said "cake" or "treats". We waited in the line, and she said she was excited to see him and she was going to hug him, but when it came to our turn, she clung to me like a monkey and wouldn't let go. Just when I thought we were going to have to forfit our visit with Santa this year, she decided to sit down if I sat too. So, here's Kelsey dressed beautifully to see Santa, and mom in her weekend casuals. But it works! Ho, ho, ho!

Merry Christmas! Dec 24 & 25, 2009

We anticipate Christmas for weeks, then it comes and goes without us hardly realizing it.

Kelsey had a great Christmas. She was a little unsure of Santa, but after a wonderful dinner at my mom's (thank you mom) with Aunty Karen, cousin Jake, Nicole and Steve and Sylvia, we left a note with milk and cookies on the fireplace for Santa (Eunice ate the first plate of cookies off the counter while we weren't paying attention - Merry Christmas Eunice). She went to bed easily, and woke in the morning to a living room full of presents. Santa left her the Little People Zoo and a stocking full of lots of goodies (her favorite was the Princess camera). Our friends and family were extremely generous - her favorite gifts were the kilt from Grandma, highland dance shoes from Nana Rose & Grandad, bath Ariel from Nana, a pink singing pig from Frankie and a purple tutu from the Richdales (thank you so much Kyla who made it by hand). All the other gifts didn't go unnoticed, but the above were certainly her favorites. Kelsey was slow opening her presents. If anything, I could have put half of them away without her noticing. She would open something she liked and just want to play with or wear it rather than tossing it and moving onto the next one. In fact, I opened most of them for her. Fun for mom!

Papa and Frankie stopped by for a visit later in the day, then we headed over to Nana's for Christmas dinner with Jim's family. Dinner was great, and Kelsey had a great time (as always) playing with Hannah, Sophie and Aunty Lhesa. And of course, we stuck with the tradition of Aunty Pat's and Uncle Fred's on Boxing Day.

And now we're tired. Very happy, very blessed, but very tired. Merry Christmas!

Kelsey getting into Christmas a few days before

Looking pretty on Xmas Eve at Grandma's house.

Smile big!

Getting pretty excited now!

Kelsey and her much loved cousin Jake.

Finishing off Xmas Eve dinner with an ice-cream cone

Kelsey on Christmas morning with her Santa present (Little People Zoo)

Mommy trying to get a lovely photo (ya right)

Kelsey with her purple tutu made by Kyla. She wore it all morning - well, alternated between the tutu and kilt. Either way, it's safe to assume she's going to do some form of dance sooner rather than later.

Kelsey with her singing pink pig from Frankie. It's pretty cool, but could get on ones nerves if it were played over and over.

Getting ready for Christmas - December 2009

We had a busy, very Chirstmassy December. We were very much looking forward to Chirstmas this year with Kelsey. With her being just over 2 years old, it's the first Christmas she was really excited about and understood what was happening (for the most part).

It started with a trip to New Westminster where we met Dennis, Kyla, Colin& Rowan to watch the Santa Clause parade. The kids loved it! It was also Kyla's birthday so we went to the Spaghetti Factory for dinner afterwards. Happy Birthday Kyla!

Dennis & Colin, Jim & Kelsey

Colin and Kelsey

Later in the month, we decorated our Christmas tree and hung the "stockings with care" half naked in mom's dancing shoes. Classic!

Putting her snowman on the tree

Then came my Union Kid's Christmas Party at the Red Barn in Cloverdale. It was set up like a carnival with games, rides, Santa and hotdogs for lunch. We had a nice time, although Santa wasn't a hit. Thanks CUPE.

Then came our "Mamma's Lunch" Christmas party (this is the group of mom's I lunched with once a week while I was on Maternity Leave. We don't see each other much anymore, but sure enjoy the visit when we do get together. And the kids are crazy!

Logan, Kelsey, Rowan, Colin, Thomas

Kelsey opening her present from "Secret Santa" Thomas

And...Shannon's School of Highland Dance Christmas Concert on Dec. 16th. Kelsey LOVES to dance and it was all Jim could do to keep her off the stage (thanks Jim) during the concert. She eventually joined the group and did her best version of the Fling to Jinglebell Rock with the others!

Enjoying her time on stage. May she be this enthusiastic when her time really comes!

Nicole and her "brood" invited us over to decorate gingerbread men. I was a little sceptical, but it went really well and the kids had fun. A little hyped on sugar by the time we left, but it was fun! Good idea, Nic.

Mmmm, icing!