Our New Pets

We were given this fish aquarium a couple of years ago and one of Chris' projects this holiday was getting it up and running which included testing out the equipment and buying some new parts. Sedona has wanted a pet for a long time (she would have preferred a dog or a gerbil, but we don't want that kind of responsibility right now), so we settled on the fish. We got two Tetrafish today and I told the girls they could each name one. Sedona's is called "Naple" and Aja's is called "Anko."I have no idea where they came up with these names (maybe thinking of you in Florida Mom and Bri), but I like them!

Please don't send gifts; just bubble wrap!

Thanks Victoria Rellies!

We have no pictures to document our trip, but we just spent four days in Victoria with Chris' mom's side of the family. We went over with Chris' Mom and Bill, plus his brother and family. It was great to catch up with everyone (from cousins to aunts and uncles). We had two family dinners with 28 people! The food was great, the company was lots of fun and everyone was very hospitable. Thanks for all the gifts for the girls and a BIG hug for Auntie Irene who put up with us for 3 nights!

Santa Visits... for Real!

 Last night we got home from a party and Sedona exclaimed that we better hurry and get ready for bed so Santa could come. As she was getting dressed, she could here a "Ho Ho Ho" getting pretty close. The next thing you knew, he was "ho ho hoing" at our door. Sedona was so excited she answered the door naked (remember, she was in the process of getting dressed). So we invited Santa in and showed him where we'd leave the milk and cookies, the special key for him to get in because we have a gas fireplace and where th reindeer could get their food. We snapped a few pictures and he was on his way down the street, promising to come back when we were all alseep. I told Sedona how lucky she was because in all my years, I've never seen Santa during the night like that!! Chris and I were just as surprised as the girls were! Christmas Eve night couldn't have had a better ending! And here I am waiting for everyone to wake up still (6:45) so I can yell Merry Christmas! 
 
 
 

Christmas Eve Snow

 We headed up to the mountain today to search for snow... and we found it! It was sooooooo beautiful!!! (doubleclick to see the photos)

Merry Christmas from the Allen Clan

We had an early gift opening and celebration tonight to make it a little less chaotic on Christmas day!

We Love our Family Walks

 especially at Kinnikinnick Park! And it's even more fun now that Aja walks most of it herself.
 
 
 

Our Own BIG Sandbox

 Today we went to a nearby development where they have a big sandpit and the kids (Chris included in that category) had a blast jumping, rolling, digging and just being kids. We are officially on holiday mode!

Bright Nights

 This was our forth year going to Bright Nights at Stanley Park. We booked our tickets a few weeks ago (you have to because they sell out) so we weren't anticipating the rain that today brought; usually we're all bundled up. However, it was so mild that it didn't really matter. I'm thinking next year might be time for a new tradition. On the ferry today we heard about a fun event at a North Shore mountain where there's an outdoor rink for skating and sleigh rides with Santa and his reindeer. Don't let me forget that one next year!

Our First Snow...

 
 has come and gone (in about an hour and a half!) They were calling for a lot (and it may still come) followed by freezing rain, so we'll see what tomorrow brings- it's raining now. We got out for a walk after dinner though to enjoy the snow while it lasted and Sedona and I made the very best snow angels on the trampoline (that was a first for me- jumping on a trampoline in the snow)!
 
 

Decorating the Tree

 
 
 

Selecting the Christmas Tree

 

Check these Out Dad!

The girls were helping to fold laundry this morning and got a kick out of wearing Dad's undies!

Watching Day

 Sedona is doing a different dance class this year. Instead of ballet, she's in Discovery Dance which is a little bit of everything- hip hop, modern,  jazz, and tap. We only get to watch them once a session and today was the day. I was amazed at how much the kids have learned since September, and what a difference a year makes. Last year in ballet, they hadn't learned nearly as much at this stage and they were all looking around the room, running to their parents and talking to each other. Today they did about 5 different songs/routines and they totally knew what they were doing. I was very impressed! And let me tell you, it's a whole lot more fun watching this than ballet! (Double Click to enlarge)

A Yummy Tradition

 This is our third year in a row decorating cookies with the Lewis boys.

Special Night for Sedona

Last night Sedona got to go out with Mom and Dad without her little sister tagging along! We had our yearly neighborhood party and got a babysitter for Aja as she can't stay up much past 7. Sedona didn't want to miss the action though, so the three of us went for an hour, and then I brought Sedona back with the sitter so Chris and I could enjoy some time at the party with the "big kids." Sedona really felt grown up and special!

Rub a Dub Dub

 4 kids in a tub and who do you they think they are? Aja and Griffin and Sophie and Sedona, good friends are we all four!

See post below for details

Winter Festival at the Longhouse

 The girls and I had the lucky honor of attending a winter festival at the Sechelt Nation's longhouse tonight. Here the girls are dancing and below is just a snippet of some of the music. The girls had a ball and loooved the music. Sedona's favorite CD is of some children's West Coast Salish singers, so she was excited about this all day. She's usually long asleep by now, but is still buzzed from the event. Needless to say, it was a wonderful evening!