It's Beginning to FEEL a lot Like Christmas!

Christmastime is here! Even if it doesn't look like a winter wonderland, it sure feels like Christmas. We've Christmas partied, Christmas programed, Christmas dinnered, White Elephanted and Ugly Sweatered to our hearts' content. The doors on the advent calendar are almost all opened. The last gift has been bought, and the work in Santa's workshop is complete. Pitman Christmas has come and gone, and was enjoyed by all! Every person from the nativity set is standing in his or her place, just waiting for Christmas Eve. The "must-watch" movies have been watched, and the Christmas music has been played. The boys couldn't be any more excited if they tried! The last minute errands have been run. The car is packed (to the brim!) and ready to go. Christmastime is here!

Yesterday afternoon we took an impromptu trip to see this jolly old elf, who was visiting the lovely folks at Medline!

But the final thing on my "to-do" list is another visit. To a manger in Bethleham, over two thousand years ago. To remember the reason for all the festivities. To be thankful. To be silent and still. To truly get into "the Christmas spirit".

"Lo, in the silent night A child to God is born

And all is brought again That ere was lost or lorn.

Could but thy soul, O man, Become a silent night!

God would be born in thee And set all things aright."

Merry Christmas everyone!

Skating with Grandma!

One of the many highlights of Thanksgiving weekend was a trip to the rink for the kids! We took Iain once last year, and he loved it, and Mom has been talking about getting Iain and Courtney out there together for a while. So on Friday, we made it happen! It was Iain's dream come true, and he's been talking about it ever since! Courtney (as you will see!) tired out a little soon, but both of them had a lot of fun...and they took great naps afterward! It was so neat to see the Daddies skating with their kiddos, and Grandma teaching them the basics. It was a great memory made!

Thanksgiving Thugs

When the babies got messy after their Thanksgiving feast, the shirts came off. When Grandma saw their roly-poly little naked torsos and tough guy jeans, she felt the biker bandanas were the next logical step! I might be biased, but I think they're the cutest little Thanksgiving thugs that ever drew a living breath!

"Yanksgiving"

As a Canadian, I've never really been a fan of Thanksgiving falling at the end of November. Canadian Thanksgiving is at the beginning of October, which (in my opinion!) is a much more fitting time of year. The the harvest is being harvested, the colors are beautiful...the Christmas decorations are not up in the stores yet! Usually we look at the four days off as a great time to travel to Canada and have "pre-Christmas", but I will admit that after spending the weekend here this year, although I still think we Canucks have the right idea...I "get it" a little more. It was a wonderful weekend from start to finish, full of family, food and fun. We began with brunch, proceeded to relaxing, and then enjoyed a bountiful turkey dinner with family and friends. (Thank you Anna and Kevin, for being part of Pitman Thanksgiving. It was so. much. fun!) We sampled yummy desserts and good wine. We snuggled babies and played with toddlers, and read lots and lots of books. We watched movies (Thanksgiving and Christmas!), and had a pizza night. We had a "pasta bar" complete with a basement concert with a far away Uncle and Aunt. We went shopping and skating, and took naps. We made crafts, we baked, we cooked, and we cleaned up together! What could be better!?