Oh, Canada!

For Chris's birthday in October his family bought him a ticket to the Red Wings and Canucks game. Leila and I were lucky enough to get to benefit from his birthday too, as we were also given tickets!! The game was December 21st in Vancouver, BC. We headed north a day earlier than the game and stayed a day later. We had an amazing time together in the beautiful and chilly Van City! Our hotel was right in the center of the city, so we walked everywhere we wanted to go, which is always a great way to see everything! 

We got into town a little before our room was ready, so we parked the car and hit the streets. We found a coffee shop to warm up in. Leila had some milk in a mug and was pretending she was drinking tea like Chris and me. 

We stumbled upon the outdoor ice rink in the center of town. We thought about renting some skates, but weren't sure how Leila would like it. Maybe next year?

This huge, beautiful tree was right at the end of the ice rink. 

The next morning we walked across town, in 36 degree weather, to visit the Olympic Cauldron. If you know me, you know I LOVE the Olympics!!!! Summer or winter, it doesn't matter. Chris and Leila love me enough that they indulged me with some photo time even with the cold weather. Thank you family! The cauldron sits right on the water front. 

Look at the amazing weather we were blessed with. Crisp, but clear. Vancouver really is a gorgeous city!! 

 

Right next to the cauldron is this awesome whale statue that reminded us of legos. 

 

The view from our room. There was a Christmas Village kitty corner to us. We saw Santa there one evening. The red banners in this photo are on the CBC Radio building. That building was busy all day and night. 

Finally, the night of the game! I forgot to change the settings on the camera and when I realized it, Leila was finished smiling. These are the best we have of the three of us in our Red Wings garb.

The tree in the hotel lobby was all decked out in support of the Red Wings too!!  ;0) 

Great seats! We sat next to the three nicest people in Canada I think, even if they were wearing blue. 

Our boys taking the ice for some warm-ups.

The cutest Wings fans around!

Leila loved the festive zamboni...I did too actually!

Getting ready to head back home the next day. We had a wonderful time! I think it is safe to say that we would do it again in a heartbeat! 

Santa Claus Is Coming to Town

Leila visited with Santa a few weeks ago. This year she asked for a new baby doll and a toy dog named Jingle. She asked Chris and me for a bigger magna doodle, a jacket with polka dots that looks like a dalmatian puppy and a picture of Chris and me in a frame to hang by her bed. Could she be any sweeter?

Random Gem

We bought a new computer this week and in Chris transferring all the photos, I think things got shuffled around because I just saw this picture for the first time and I am in love with it. Someone took it with Chris's phone at Kalles. It looks like the set of a NOMT (Night of Musical Theater) production. I love that it conveys feelings of joy and exhaustion simultaneously.

Christmas Cookie Decorating Party

 Leila was invited to a cookie decorating party at Ian's house. Everyone was asked to bring a dozen cookies (ready to be frosted) and any sprinkles he/she wanted to the party. Ian's Mom, Colleen, had frosting, of every different color, ready for the kids to share. It was a great morning and I am totally stealing the idea for Valentine's Day!

Tavern Gathering

We hosted the Tavern Christmas Celebration this year at our house. We spent the evening eating good food, opening gifts, and enjoying way too much dessert. We finished the night with a game of Pictionary. Leila even played with us. She was so excited to draw and wasn't too bad either! 

The gang: Shanna, Sean, Lynn, Mike, Danny, Shawn, me, Chris, Missy, Leila and Jimmy

Chris's gift from his Aunt Lynn was a new beanie. This time Leila got a matching one! Aunt Lynn can crank these hats out in no time flat!

Snowmen

Leila and I made these snowmen from some water and juice bottles. We found the idea in Disney's Family Fun magazine and decided to give them to Leila's daycare provider for a Christmas gift. Only one is pictured lit up, but each snowman had a battery operated votive inside to make them glow. We had a lot of fun making them together and Sandy was pleased to receive them.

Frog and Toad

 The first weekend of December we took in our second show at Seattle Children's Theatre. This time we saw Frog and Toad. It was so good! In October, when we saw Harold and the Purple Crayon, I thought how can they top this production, but Frog and Toad did it! The music was fabulous and the sets were charming. We had a super afternoon in downtown Christmas-decorated Seattle!


In the lobby before the show:

Waiting for the lights to dim:

Leila LOVES the shows, but the intermission treats are a big hit too! For both shows that we have seen they have sold a special treat that follows the theme of the production. Leila chose a frog sugar cookie to enjoy at intermission this time around. Yum!

Now we have to wait until spring to see our next show: The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

Decorating

 We took a break while decorating the house for some pictures in the yard. What a cheese ball this kid is. Love her!

Tavern Tree Hunting

We got our tree Thanksgiving weekend when we got home from my Mom's. We pulled into the garage, dashed inside to grab our rain gear and jumped back in the car. It was a race to get to Jo-El's Tree Farm before they closed and before we lost the daylight. We made it! 

Can you tell someone is thrilled to have her picture taken?!?!

Leila still didn't want to smile...

 ...so I kicked her out of the picture!

 We decorated it the following night after it dried out and it looks fabulous in our front room!

Tree Shopping in Portland

We spent Thanksgiving weekend with my family in Portland. We had a great time laughing, eating, and playing with each other. On Friday morning, we headed to a tree farm out in the country near my Mom's house. One of Aunt Kathy's patients owns the farm and was more than happy to let my family pick out three trees...on the house! 

Leila, Amanda and Uncle Jonny - these three are trouble!

We spent some time trying to get that PERFECT pose for the Christmas cards. 

Leila, Granddad and Grammy

Aunt Kathy and Uncle Tom

A quick game of Red Light, Green Light before heading home to Mom's. Good thing we had to leave before this game got too competitive!