Christmas is over?!

How is Christmas over already?! Out of all the holidays, Christmas is the only one that is over before I'm ready to let it go!! I LOVE Christmas...and yes, my tree is still up:)

Christmas Eve Jammies
(I always try to do "Christmas-themed" pajamas because it makes for some awesome pictures!!)

Jordan finally got the Itouch she's been saving for...I don' t know that I've ever seen her so happy. She also got that chair she is sitting on, which Miley has "claimed" as hers.

One of Kya's gifts was a softball bat. I thought it was hilarious that she had absolutely no clue what it was until it was completely unwrapped:)Since Jordan got an Itouch, Mike changed the broken screen on his old Iphone and gave it to Kya and Tyson. Now they can all play. I'm not sure I like it!

A Christmas Eve Tradition

We love to bundle up and take the kids ice skating on Christmas Eve. It reminds me that some places in the world, people actually do need to wear jackets this time of year (seriously, it was 87 degrees in the car when we came out of the skating rink). This year Mike and I could actually skate without holding onto the kids. They were so brave!! Tyson has also informed me that he wants to take skating lessons and become a hockey player....we'll see.

Baking Day

Today we did nothing but bake...well, and watch a movie:) I am feeling so Christmassy!!

First we made Pulla (Tyson is OBSESSED with Pulla!!)

Then we made Candy Cane Cookies

Then it was time for Naniamo Bars

And finally Butter Tarts

Good think Mike got home in time to BBQ for dinner, because I was wiped out!

12 Years

Today is our 12th Anniversary!!

From our first date....

....to now!! We've come a LONG way!!

I had no idea when I got married, that I would be so blessed!
I love you Mike, and the sweet little family you have given me.

Some jobs {unfortunately} you can't do yourself!

I asked Mike to take a picture of me and the kids (Tyson wouldn't cooperate) in front of the Christmas tree.

First, he took this one...

Of course, I wasn't impressed.

Then, he took this one...

Seriously?!

Finally her took this one...

The star is still cut off a little, but I guess I'll take it.

All she wants for Christmas...

...is her two front teeth!!

I love that Kya lost her two front teeth so close to Christmas. We have a classic home video when Jordan lost her two front teeth (also just before Christmas), and she was so upset that she could still say "Merry Christmas!"

I'm the only one left!!

A couple weeks ago I watched Mike (along with 3499 other people) become an American Citizen. As I stood there (Jordan and I stood for probably 2 hours straight!!!) and watched everyone recite the pledge of allegiance and heard the song "I'm proud to be an American", I said to Jordan "I really feel just as patriotic to America as I do to Canada." As we talked more, she asked me "If you had to choose to live the rest of your life in just one country and you couldn't ever go back, where would you live?" I admit, I had to say Canada...I just had to. We love living in California though. I am grateful for all the opportunities we have had here in the USA. Even though I am not officially an American (like my hubby and children), I really am proud to be an "American" (or at least a permanent resident of America).

Here's my hubby with his proof that he is now a citizen. Doesn't he look like a foreigner holding his American flag?:)

We know it's December because...

...Kya is wearing sparkly things in her hair

...We are lighting a candle and reading Christmas stories every night

...Tyson is dressing up like Santa (and Kya is Mrs. Clause)

...Stanley, the elf, is visiting again

And I am wearing my slippers every day--and trying to pass them off as shoes:)