Canadian COLD!!!

In January we found ourselves once again on our way to Canada!  I love that we've been able to take so may trips up there lately! (Three times in the last seven months!  Before these trips, the last time we were up was back in the summer of 2009).  This January was also the first time in over two and a half years that our whole family was together, with quite a few new additions!

When we were up in November it snowed a tiny bit, but when we were there in January it was ABSOLUTELY FREEZING!  Like -30 Celsius  (-22 Fahrenheit)!  So needless to say, we didn't end up playing out in the snow as much as we were hoping.

Heather braving the cold with Elaina and Erin - The rest of us watched from within the warm house.  Allison was telling us how one of the days when they were going somewhere either Erin or Elaina (can't remember who) said to Allison, "Mommy, I never want to go outside in Canada EVER AGAIN!"  This definitely must have been a change from the 70 degree weather they were enjoying back home in Texas before coming up!

Dave & Mary

When Elaina was born I started a tradition making baby blankets for all my nieces and nephews.  Here's Isaiah rapped in the rag quilt I made for him.  This is blanket #4 (plus one I made for Gavin), and I already have two more to do by April.  Hopefully switching to afternoons and cutting back on work hours will give me more time to work on these as well as finish up the current sewing project I'm working on!

 Monte Monte Caballo Rides were of course a hit with all the grandkids...

 ...and I think Grandpa Ducky got a little worn out while the kids kept running back around for more.  

Nanny M. & Papa with all the great-grandkids

Nana & Grandpa Ducky with the grandkids

Although Gavin's closer in age with the two little boys, he's old enough to want to play more and LOVED the attention from Elaina & Erin.  Ring Around The Rosy (or Lo-Lo as Gavin calls it) is one of his favourite games, and the three of them had fun playing this over and over again.

Gavin didn't even seem to mind being dressed up in flowers, or being given the role of prince or baby when the girls played make-believe.

 I am exited for when the boys are all a little older and to see the difference in the games they'll enjoy playing together.  And although they did share toys some of the time, and had some good times interacting with each other - this was obviously not one of those days for Gavin  

Grandpa and Deanna came down a few days before the wedding and it was great to spend time with them.  Here's Grandpa and Isaac at their hotel pool.  My Grandpa has a wood shop in his garage that Jared and I were able to check out this past summer when we went up for a visit, and he's made some very beautiful gifts for us and the grandkids.  He came with trains he had made for each of the boys, and jewelry boxes for Elaina and Erin.  I'll have to get a picture of Gavin and his new "choo choo". 

Jared, Mary, Isaiah, Elaina, Dave, & Erin enjoying the hot-tub 

Two of Gavin's words are "up" & "down".  He was happy to be the one in charge of this game as the girls followed his command to go up and down over and over again - I wish I had gotten a video! 

The whole clan with Grandpa and Deanna

Girls outing for manicures!

Saturday morning the bridesmaids and flower girls met up at Heather's place to get our hair done and get ready - and enjoy more Tim Bits for breakfast.  You can't go to Canada without stopping by Tim Horton's at least once, and we definitely got our fill of Tim Bits this trip!

Wedding Photos after the ceremony - I can't wait to see the rest when Heather gets the pictures from her photographer!

I love this one!

Cute flower girls

Me and Allison

I love this cute picture of Gavin at the reception

The Happy Couple

Gavin went crazy when the dancing started!  He LOVED spinning in circles and "dancing" with everyone

We really had a great time with everyone and are glad we could all be together to celebrate Heather & Trevor's wedding!  And we can't wait to see everyone again this coming Christmas!!!!