Christmas Letter 2010

December 20, 2010

This is my first Christmas letter via the blog!

Our big change this year was moving, again. In May we moved from Red Deer to Olds. Olds is pretty much halfway between Red Deer and Calgary. It's a town of 7,000 people but serves the surrounding area of 40, 000 people. This means it has a Super-Walmart, Canadian Tire, Home Hardware and most of the standard fast food places :) We decided to build a house, again. Unfortunately I've made many trips to Red Deer and Calgary to choose things for the house as Olds doesn't have alot of options. The house will be done sometime in January and we can't wait as we've been renting a small house in an older neighborhood. We'll definitely miss the big trees and the huge backyard!

We moved for Warren's new job as Vice President of Finance for Mountain View Credit Union. They're a little bank with big aspirations! Warren is loving his job as it is challenging and he feels he can contribute and make a difference. Warren was busy teaching early morning seminary in Red Deer but is now the Choir Organist. His new calling allows him to get more sleep and more importantly, I get to hear the piano being played at home! I think the highlight of Warren's year was a week he spent dirtbiking in Utah with some friends. He loves to dirtbike and is encouraging our girls to like it as well. Ally even became the proud owner of her own dirtbike and is excited and a little apprehensive about learning to ride it next summer :)

When we moved, I left my calling as Young Women's President and am now enjoy working with the Activity Days Girls! What a sweet age 8-12 is! I spend the rest of my time trying to keep my family fed and my house clean. I've spent many, many hours planning for our new house and am hoping that, this time, we might stay put for a while :) Thanks to my two sister-in-laws, I've discovered the world of blogging and am enjoying using it to record our little family's history.

Our baby, Grace, will turn 3 in March. How time flies! She has become a very delightful little girl. She loves to play with Ally and wants to do everything Ally does. Grace thinks she's a princess and dresses up in fancy dresses every single day. For a while, she even referred to herself in the third person - "The princess is hungry!" She loves to dance, sing, read books and loves Dora.

Ally will be 6 in March. She started Kindergarten in September and has grown to love it. She is in all-day Kindergarten which has proved challenging for her. She misses being at home but has made new friends and seems to be adjusting. Ally did not adjust well to our move to Olds and many tears were shed over missing our old house and her friends :( Ally keeps herself busy with drawing pictures and writing stories. She is most happy with a bunch of craft supplies and some glue. Ally loves Gracie and becomes very frustrated when Grace doesn't want to participate in Ally's "plays" and "dance recitals."

As a family we enjoyed another summer of camping and dirtbiking. I think we camped a record amount of times this past year!

As we've had time to reflect on the past year, we're very thankful for family, friends and for our Savior. We love this time of year when we get to celebrate his birth. We have been so blessed and are excited for 2011 and all it may bring. We wish you all a wonderful holiday season and a great New Year!!

House Update #7

This is why I need my house to be done! This is the scene of Ally's afternoon playdate with her friend, Leah. Ally's room is small so the living room becomes the playroom. I think a fort was built and then taken down to make an obstacle course :)

The siding (the wrong color was put on and then had to be ripped off. At least only a days worth of work was done) is almost done and the stone guys are working under the orange tarp. The rock will go up to the "stoop" and half way up each garage bay. Hopefully we'll have hardwood laid next week as well as the railings done. It is a slooooow process but the plan is to move January 15th.

Everyday Outfits

I know it looks like the girls are dressed up for a tea party on a beautiful Summer day or maybe for Church. Actually, it is December 14th and it's about -15 C outside. Oh, and we aren't planning on going anywhere today.

The girls, on a regular basis, love to dress up as fancy as they can. No surprise that "Fancy Nancy" is a favourite book in our house.

Yesterday at the Post Office, a lady said to me, "Oh, your daughter must of had a Christmas concert at school today!" I had to tell her that, no, my daughter dresses like that all the time.

Christmas Party

On Saturday we went to Warren's work Christmas Party. The party was held at the local bowling alley and, of course, Santa was there.

Gracie was upset that the "special shoes" didn't come in her size :)

Getting Ready for Christmas

We are slowly getting ready for Christmas! I was tempted to put up a mini tree as there's no room in our living room for a tree but Warren guilted me into putting up the tree :) Not that Warren cares but Ally would have been heartbroken. I gave in and put up the advent calendar and 2 nativities as well. It's hard to want to add more clutter to an already cluttered house! I keep telling Ally that next year, in the new house, we'll do more decorating.

We attended the Old Fashion Christmas Parade and Party the night before and the girls had their face painted. Ally's face paint was amazing so I let her sleep in it. We waited 1/2 hr in line but I guess it was worth it :)

The Santa Claus line-up at the Old Fashion Christmas Party was insane so I took the girls into Red Deer and paid my $15 to get a picture with Santa. Ally asked for a Littlest Pet Shop set and Gracie asked for chocolate. I think she meant she wanted chocolate right then.....she recieved a candy cane instead.

Not sure any of us like to eat gingerbread men but it's a Christmas custom we couldn't break. We also decorated a Gingerbread house that's sitting on top of the fridge right now. Wal-mart sells these houses that come already put together and just need decorating! Someone is smart! I smoothed on tons of icing and let the kids go crazy.

We also went to the live Nativity at the Church last night. I love that the nativity has real sheep and a donkey. It's always a good way to start the Christmas season!! It's also a good way to remind the kids that we're celebrating the birth of our Saviour :)

Cinderella!

Last night I took Ally to the Olds High School presentation of Cinderella. This was the first play we've ever taken Ally to and we weren't sure how she would react. She absolutely loved it! She bounced in her seat she was so excited. Every time they dimmed the lights for a scene change she would say she hoped it wasn't over yet. After the play was over the audience was invited to meet the cast. I wished I would have brought my camera! The pictures below are from the OHS facebook page :) Ally had a great time chatting with the fairygod mother and she got a hug from the Queen and, of course, Cinderella. The costumes were amazing. We had a great time! Next year maybe we will take Dad and Grace with us :)

Cinderella and the Prince at the Ball

Step-Mother and Step-Sisters

The Queen and the King