Snowman!!!

Ever since my first Christmas in Canada, I have received presents with a snowman on it. At first I thought it was just a coincidence but then it became kind of like a curse then it turned into a yearly joke. Every year, I would wonder who or what kind of a snowman present I would get. My mother in law even made me a stocking for Christmas with my name and a snowman on it without even realizing it. 9 Christmas later since the first one, my mother in law decided to take the funny snowman "curse" and turn it into something adorable. I got me a real life snowman this year!!! And quite a cute one too.

My adorable little snowman!!!

Christmas Day!!!

Christmas Day was awesome!!!! Grandma out did herself this year. The food was REALLY good.
We woke up around 8 o'clock in the morning, had breakfast (grandma made Chelsea buns, yummy) and we then open the stockings and the presents.

We loved seeing Yann enjoying his presents. He didn't care much about unwrapping them BUT sure enjoyed playing with them. All of us had great gifts. My favorite ones are the surprised presents grandma had under her tree from my nephew and my mother. She gave Yann his present that my nephew nicely wrapped and gave to her while they were in Tahiti. Then saved the last gift to be opened for me. As she gave it to me, I was wondering who it was from. Then She told me my mom had bought it for me and wanted her (mother in law) to give it to me for Christmas. I CRIED, yes I did! It was the first time in a long time that I had a wrapped gift under the tree to open from my family in 7 years. I usually get a parcel BUT this was definitely a SURPRISE.

After the presents were opened, we played with Yann and his new toys, read books, and just visited with the family. We attempted to watch a movie too but there was too much distractions.

We had supper, visited and played some more then we came home and opened our presents under our tree. ALL in all it was a good Christmas day. Yann was spoiled with fun toys, books, clothes and educational things. I love the book grandma bought Yann untitled "Beautiful Savior" artwork by Greg Olsen. It is a great reminder of what Christmas really is about.

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!!!!

Opening his stocking at grandma's.

 Helping daddy!!!

 His favorite toy! Grandpa made him

a rocking horse!!!

 Opening his gifts from Tahiti!!! My nephew got him

3 books in French about Tahitian legends.

 

 Having a siesta with grandpa!

 Eating freshly made meringue

for the first time.

 One of his present he got from us.

Christmas Eve!!!

We changed our minds and decided to go to grandma's for Christmas Eve. Marc worked until noon that day, so as soon as he got home, we opened our stockings, grabbed something quick to eat, then packed the car and made a last stop before heading to Vermilion. I still made sure that my table was nicely set, so that we can use it when we came home.

We met uncle Joel's girlfriend and spent the day visiting, eating and laughing at grandma's. Most of us stayed up until 11 pm then we went to bed so grandma and grandpa can fill up the stockings and hang them.

It was over all an okay day for me, lol... I got a little bit bored. Yann on the other hand enjoyed his day.

My colors were green, gold and red this year.

Opening his first stocking!

 Both stockings are now empty!!!

 Holding one of daddy's stocking stuffer.

 Playing with grandma's

Christmas lights remote control.

 Playing in what used to be his daddy's crib.

 Playing with his stocking at grandma's house

before she fills it up with goodies.

Day 12!!! The end.

Day 12: This day was officially the day we celebrated our tenth anniversary. I can't believe we've been married for that long. I remember a few people who said that we would never make it pass the first year BUT here we are ten years later still going strong in our love for each other.

Grandma and grandpa volunteered to babysit Yann so we could go out and enjoy a nice time together. We left the house fairly early. Marc bought me a bouquet before we headed out for dinner. We didn't want to go back to the house, so I carried my bouquet with me in the restaurant and the theatre :). After a nice dinner, we went for a short drive then headed out to the the theatre to watch The Hobbit!!! We were going to crash our friends party but decided to go back to our house. We both missed Yann so much that we just wanted to go home and cuddle with him. I am so glad we did, poor little guy was looking all over the house for us, and screamed his head off for a good half hour. As soon as he saw us, he just smiled and gave both of us a huge hug. We visited a little bit with grandma and grandpa before they left. Yann wanted to play some more instead of going to bed, so that's what we did. We played. we chased after him, and finally all of us went to our bedroom for a family snuggle. Yann fell asleep then we put him to bed. It was a GOOD day!!! I am definitely grateful to have an extraordinary husband who always puts my needs above his. I am grateful that I became a mother before our tenth anniversary, hihi and that I am blessed to be able to have another baby soon. Life is awesomely good!!!

One of the many things that Marc does that makes him such an AWESOME husband is how thoughtful and caring he is. Ever since I had Yann, Marc has been doing the laundry for me. He takes it downstairs, puts in the washer then the dryer, brings it upstairs and even folds it and puts it away. Yann is almost 1 year old. If that's not awesome I really don't know what is. He is definitely a keeper. I do help folding the laundry from time to time though.

My flowers!!!

Day 11!!!

Day 11: We TOTALLY forgot about day 11!!! We had something planned but we got so busy with the bathroom renos, and running here and there to get materials that we just simply forgot about it.

HOWEVER, we did do something really awesome. Yann was invited to a birthday party, so we all got ready for this special event and made sure not to be late. We ALL had such a good time. The food was really GOOD, and everything else about the party was just GREAT. The treats, the party favors, the decorations and cupcakes was to die for. This birthday was definitely the highlight of our busy day, and I have to say the best birthday (for a 1 year old) party we have ever been too.

Day 10!!!

Day 10: Christmas lights!!! We went out and drove around the many neighbourhoods in Lloyminster to watch the Christmas lights. I sat in the back with Yann, so I can see the expressions on his face when we drive by the well lighted up houses. I love the Christmas lights. Some neighbourhoods were really awesome, ans some were quite boring. I like that Marc enjoys driving around town without ever being bored and impatient when we go and do that (year after year). We saw a few houses that had a nice nativity set in front of their homes. It is so rare to see that. I enjoyed being in the back with my son and see him marvelled at the lights. He keeps pointing at houses every time there was lights on them.

Our Christmas light tour lasted about over an hour then we came home. Marc then wrapped my presents, and we just played with our son.

I was too lazy to get out of the car

and take a proper picture. 

 Yann fell asleep on our way home.

Day 9!!!

Day 9: Well day 9 was a day for me to REST, and SLEEP a lot. I woke up EXHAUSTED in the morning, even after hours of sleep, so I decided to make this day about me. I am so grateful for Marc who managed to do some babysitting while his dad was doing the new wiring in the bathroom so I can just rest. Grateful for Yann who was really cooperative and actually went down for a few hours of nap time with mommy.  Marc was such a sweetheart and did every single house chores, breakfast, lunch and supper today. I just love him. Best husband ever!!! It was the first time I ever felt that tired in my life. I am glad I got the rest I needed. Sometimes, you just have to think about yourself and let people help I guess. It was a GOOD day for me.

Day 8!!!

Day 8: It's Marc's day!!! Marc's dad came to help him some more with the bathroom renovations, so it was just fitting that today should be a day for Marc and about what he wants to do. Marc is off for a little bit over a week too. His dad and him got a lot of shopping done for the bathroom.

After grandpa and grandma left, Marc took us out for fast food. Yes, fast food! We haven't had burgers in weeks, so we decided to go and eat some at Wendy's (the only fast food place I want to eat at with this pregnancy). From there, we went to Peavey Mart. If you are into farming toys and things like that, Peavey Mart is the place to go. A week before Christmas, they have a 40% sales on their toys, so we always go there to see if there's anything Marc can buy for his collection and now for the boys. We did find something for our new baby to come, and I found a Nativity set on sale too :).

From Peavey Mart, we went to Totem to see if they had any cute lightings for our bathroom. We didn't find any there, so we went to Home Depot and found exactly what we were looking for.

Before coming home, we went and did some grocery shopping. A real man's day, isn't it? I loved it though.

At Wendy's!

 Dipped his finger in the Ketchup,

and licked it!!!

Day 7!!!

Day 7:  Since it was Sunday, we did something at home (again). After Church, we came home, changed into our comfy pyjamas, then put a movie on. When time came for snacks, Marc put one of Yann's blanket on the floor in the living room then brought snacks for us all. We had a "picnic" in our living room and had quite a fun time. The little one ate his treats really fast then kept "stealing" ours.

When snack time was done, we got his new toy from Marc's Company Christmas party out of the box and played with it. It was really exciting for Marc and I to actually help Yann open his first ever present together and play with him. We cannot wait for Christmas to come and see how he reacts to all of the presents we have for him. After the movie ended, we had supper, nothing fancy BUT we decided to pop open a bottle of Mormon champagne and all of us got to drink it in some fancy glasses. To finish the night, we (again all 3 of us) shared a piece of chocolate cheese which was delicious. So, here's what we did for our 7th day of celebration.

Simple yet fun!!!

Day 6!!!

Day 6:  First Christmas party!!! Today, It was Marc's company children Christmas party. We decided to make it part of our anniversary celebration since it was a first not only for our son but us as well. We went out bowling with the children and some of the parents. Yann kept wanting to go and play with the bowling balls, so we had to keep a pretty close eye on him. We as parents had as much fun as the children did. After 1 hour of fun, we headed upstairs and had pizza. Then Santa came and gave each children their Christmas presents. Every single one of them had a gift that was appropriate for their age group. Each presents were wrapped neatly with the children's names on, so Santa knew whose each and every one of the gifts belong too. They also received a little bag with goodies.

After that, we decided to end our evening by going to the branch Christmas party which I have to say was amazingly organized. And I ate way to many yummy devil's eggs (LOL!).

My boys!!!

 My son and I!

 Relaxing on daddy's head!

 Just starring at Santa!

 Opening his first Christmas present!

 Hard to tell if he likes it or not (LOL!!!)

Day 5!!!

Day 5: With what happened in Connecticut today, we decided to stay home, and play with our son and give him as much kisses and hugs then we usually do. We let him play with whatever he wanted too today including the presents and ornaments under/on the Christmas tree. It is so sad that so many children lost their lives. I am saddened and cannot start to even think about the griefs all those parents have over the lost of their precious children. We held our son tighter than usual and told him how much we love him. We sat on the couch for a few minutes and just put our boy in between us, and just gave him kisses and hugs.

Enjoying it!

 He always goes for this ornament!

 Playing ghost with momma!

Day 4!!!

Day 4: Out for Dessert!!! Well, that was the plan BUT our little boy had diarrhea and would poop every 15 minutes, so we decided that it wouldn't be a good idea to take him out. We stayed home instead and did something else. It turned out to be a nice evening. We were entertained all night by our son's goofiness. We also enjoyed watching him walk and just enjoy himself. Blessings in disguise!!!

Day 3!!!

First, Marc made fresh squares to add to our plates of goodies then, we delivered them to our friends.

Day 3: was about going out, have fun and finishing our Christmas shopping. Well, things didn't really go as we have planned. Not even close to be half way through our shopping, I had really strong crampings and was forced to take a "break". I was pretty mad about it but had to do the right thing. We did manage to grab a couple presents. Our little boy was so funny tonight. He kept saying this and pointing to toy trucks and cars every time he would see one.

Someone found one of his gifts in the plastic bag.

You'll have to wait little man.

12 Days of Anniversary! Day 2.

Day 2 of our Anniversary celebration: Tonight was about making some treats for our friends. It was getting late, and because we didn't want to risk waking them up, we decided to deliver the treats tomorrow. We had fun making them and made sure Yann was a part of it. He not only helped taste them but he also entertained us.

Throughout our lives, Marc and I have met people both in Tahiti and here that have made an impact in our lives. Some have been examples of LOVE, FAITH, COURAGE and so on. A lot of them live too far away, but we wanted to still share something sweet with some of our friends here in Lloydminster. Families and friends are so IMPORTANT!!!

12 Days of Anniversary!!!

Our twelve days of Anniversary celebration is finally here.

Today, is DAY 1: It happens to be Yann's 11 months "birthday", so we decided to celebrate it with a nice meal. The boys enjoyed a nice relaxing time together while I prepared the meal listening to some great classic Christmas music.

We continued on with our family home evening, singing Christmas hymns, and reading the nativity story out of Yann's children bible (keeping the story from the King James Bible for Christmas Eve). Then, we watched The Polar Express movie with our son, and finished our night with A Christmas Carol movie (with Alastair Sim). We played more than actually watch the movies.

It was nice to see our precious little boy be more of his usual self.    

                                       

Father and son always end up falling asleep together :)

There's nothing we like more than being together, and just be there for each other. We DO like to have fun, and go out from time to time but just being together is what we really LOVE the most.