Snippets of pre-Christmas fun

We celebrated Christmas with my family at a hotel in Winnipeg last weekend...it was so fun! Thanks Mom and Dad!

We always try to bake cookies and deliver them to our neighbours with the kids. These were our colourful creations this year.

Snuggle time

Noelle at her dance concert
Noelle at her Sunday School program
Elliott ringin' his bell
Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!!!

I just want to wish everyone a wonderful Christmas, and a Christ-filled new year! Thanks for reading my blog and for checking in on our little family:) Here's a really great Christmas song...one of my favourite lines is "God is in us, God is for us, God is with us...Emmanuel"

love

It's just the sweetest thing to see how much our 'big kids' love their little sister...the way they try to include her...just melts my heart:)

SO proud!

I'm SO proud of my talented hubby: take a look at these before and after pics on a fireplace and built-in shelving that Ty and his friend just did:

Wall before
Wall after!

Fireplace before

Fireplace after!

Good job guys! I'm thinking I could use one of those in my basement:) Anyone else want one?

Thoughts on Christmas

I encourage you to check out www.christmaschange.com/wordpress/ ...some really good thoughts on Christmas:)

It's begininning to look a lot like Christmas!

Isn't she the sweetest?

Malia and Noelle modelling Ruth's beautiful hair clips:)

We decorated our tree this morning, and it was lots of fun!

We were so proud of Noelle: she conquered her fear of being lifted up high, and put the star on the tree!

A Special Day!!

I couldn't help but buy my girls these sweet matching dresses!!

The three musketeers (above and below:) This is me with my cousins Tanya and Heidi

On Saturday we celebrated a very special day...my brother's wedding! We love Bonnie and Anneka already, and are so happy to have them officially join our family. It was a great evening. The ceremony was so special, and it was great to visit with family. My older brother made an amazing slide show, which was so special. Bless you guys as you begin this new journey together!

4 peas in a pod

YUMMY recipes

Here are two of my latest favourite recipes:

Carrot/Pineapple Muffins

1 can crushed pineapple, drained
2 eggs
3/4 c sugar (I'm sure you could reduce this)
1/3 c vegetable oil
1/4 c unsweetened applesauce
1 t vanilla
1 1/4 c flour
1 t cinnamon
1 t baking powder
1/2 t baking soda
1/4 t salt
1 1/2 c grated carrots
1/2 c raisins

Drain pineapple with sieve (I save the juice and use it for smoothies). In a large bowl, beat eggs with sugar..add oil, applesauce, and vanilla. In a seperate bowl whisk flour, cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda, salt. Combine both bowls, and stir just till moist. Add carrots, raisins and pineapple. Bake 350 till done.

Trail Mix Cookies

1 c butter, softened
1 c brown sugar
2 eggs
1 t vanilla
2 c quick oats
1 1/2 c Rice Krispies
1/2 c white flour
1/2 c whole wheat flour
1/4 c each sunflower seeds, pepitas (raw pumpkin seeds)
1/2 t each baking soda and baking powder
1/4 t salt (omit if sunflower seeds are salted)
1/2 c cranberries
1/4 c raisins

Beat butter with brown sugar, add eggs, then vanilla. Stir together dry ingredients, then combine. Drop by heaping tablespoons onto parchment-lined sheet. Bake 350 till done.

One month already

My baby is one month already! We can hardly remember what life was like without our precious little peanut. My dear friend Svea borrowed me her camera, and we took some one month pictures (thanks Noreen for borrowing me your adorable baby sacs!). Isn't she so precious? Life with three is busy, but it's been such a blessing that Tyler's been home...and so wonderful that we can enjoy this first bit of time together. Noelle and Elliott love her to pieces, and are also being really helpful. My biggest challenge is to spend enough time with them, and to be joyful, patient, and loving to them even when I'm tired or frustrated (If you want to pray for me, that'd be great!). I'm sure every mom out there can relate! But God is good, and his mercies are new every morning! I'm thankful for that:)

Life with 3...

Snuggle time

Noelle reading to Malia

Tyler spent some time building the kids a structure in the backyard, with a slide I had got at a garage sale this summer. Isn't he the best dad ever?

Well, life has been busy these days! Like this afternoon we were getting the kids ready for quiet time and all of a sudden both big kids had to use the bathroom at the same time, which meant one ended up peeing their pants...and I somehow managed to flood the kitchen by leaving the tap on... :)

We have been spending a lot more time at home and going for walks just to get out of the house! It's been great, though, and I've gotten about 8 hours of sleep the last 3 nights, which is wonderful!

BTW, for any of you who are wondering how to pronounce 'Malia', it's pronounced Mah-lee-ah:) We've had lot's of people ask!