The Nutcracker Christmas 2009

Taylor and her little Nutcracker...

We started off our Nutcracker adventure with a picture of Taylor and me in front of our tree. When we arrived at the Opera House, Santa and Mrs. Claus were handing out Santa Cards.

We took a couple pictures in front of the tree. Taylor brought Perry to see the Nutcracker too.

We met grandma and went to our seats. Karianne and the girls were also there with David's mom, Theresa.

During intermission, we went back to the tree to get some more pictures. I know I took one of grandma and Taylor, but it must have been with grandma's camera.

This is my favorite pose! She did this on her own. She was dancing around in front of the tree and stopped like this for a picture. That's my girl!

Taylor was wearing a pair of tights with lacy ruffles on the back. They bothered her a little. Maybe they were a little too small because she needed assistance a few times with pulling up her tights...

We had a glass of wine and headed back upstairs. On our way, we found a photographer taking free pictures, so Taylor and I stopped to get one taken of us with a Nutcracker. It should be e-mailed to us later. We returned to our seats for the second half of the Nutcracker. Taylor did very well and seemed to enjoy it.

During the second half, grandma took Taylor and Kimberly for a little walk and they each got a little nutcracker ornament. Taylor was thrilled! I really enjoyed the Nutcracker again this year. During the first half I really liked the battle and the falling snow. This was my favorite second half. It was the first time I have seen the lady with the giant dress where the little children run out. However, I always love the Egyptian dancers the best. Last year, 2008, it was the Alberta Ballet company, and I thought it was beautiful and was looking forward to the 2009 season to see it again. This year, 2009, it was the Memphis Ballet, accompanied by local children dancers. It was again, very nice, and I look forward to taking Taylor in 2010. When Ben and I asked Taylor about her favorite part she said, "Holding Kimberly's hand when we went for a walk with grandma."

Family Christmas Party at the Grange

I took this picture right after my heart stopping moment. Kimberly was lifting Taylor's bangs and using these scissors. Fortunately, these scissors are for Play-Doh, so they did not cut any hair. It's always fun to get together. I enjoy seeing everyone. It is a rather large gathering. Here grandpa, Taylor, Matt and Ben wait for the gift game to begin...

During the day, after breakfast, and before the gift game and dinner, we play games and visit...

The day begins around 10 am with a nice brunch...

Taylor is a HUGE fan of her grandpa. She was thrilled to sit with him for breakfast and be by his side as much as she possibly could.

Karianne taught the kids how to play Chinese jump rope. It was a hit...

Terra brought ornaments and paint supplies to entertain the children. Thanks Terra! It was a big hit, for more than just the children...

Of course, there were some card games. This is common, but I have never actually played...

It was nice that so many were able to travel to the Grange to celebrate the holiday season. Merry Christmas!

Pre-Nutcracker

One of our fun Christmas traditions is going to the Nutcracker. We usually meet the girls from Moscow for dinner either before or after the Nutcracker. This year they went on Friday and we were not going until Sunday, but Taylor and I still dressed up to have dinner with them, which is always fun. Auntie Karianne and Uncle Dave, Yeo Won and Kimberly were staying at our house one evening of our fun filled family weekend so the girls got a ride with us to dinner. Taylor was thrilled! They watched Frosty the Snowman in the car on the way there and Shawn the Sheep on the way home.

We had dinner at Olive Garden. Taylor and Kimberly shared a chair...and enjoyed several breadsticks...

After dinner, Grandma, Taylor and I walked over to the Opera House to meet the girls from Moscow to get some pictures by the tree...Taylor wore her red squeaky shoes which literally squeak with each step she takes. People seem to think its really cute to hear her coming and Taylor loves them.

Taylor discovered Sara, who is five months older than her. She really liked Sara...

It was so nice to see everyone in their pretty dresses!

Decorating the Christmas Tree

I did not push to get our tree up very early this year. I knew we were going to have issues with lights, which Ben took care of, so I should not have worried about that. Also, I was debating where to put the tree, with all the toys in my living room. I worry too much because I am happy about how it all turned out. Taylor was a great help...

She enjoyed going through the decorations with me and placing them on the tree.

She decorated the lower half and I decorated the upper half of the tree...

We were both very pleased when it was all done!

She also enjoys playing with the nativity set...

Shoveling Snow

I do actually enjoy shoveling snow. Taylor thought she would help a little too. I got her one of the smallest shovels I could find and she followed me around the sidewalk and slid her little shovel through the snow, moving it out of the way.

The very next day it snowed again. I was afraid it would melt, then turn to ice, so I made sure I shoveled my entire drive way and sidewalk again. When it's only three or four inches, it's fun to shovel and good exercise. When you get a foot or more, it's a lot more work. Taylor was thrilled to see more snow. I had Ben take some pictures so I had some proof of all my good work. I got Taylor's shovel out for her again...

However, she was not interested in the shovel this time...

I think she thought she would help by eating the snow instead...

She's only allowed to eat the pure white, fresh snow. We have had that discussion. Ben got tired of waiting, so helped by finishing up my big piles at the end of the driveway while I did the side walk. Family shovel time....lots of fun!

Our Visit to British Columbia

Ben and I have not visited our Enns' family in Canada since Fall 2002. Ben usually doesn't have the time off to take a vacation for the length of time it takes to drive this far and see everyone. We were thrilled to have the opportunity this winter! I was also thrilled to visit the Vancouver Aquarium. We stayed with Uncle Kim. Taylor is standing in front of his house as we prepare for our journey through Vancouver to find the aquarium.

Taylor and I were impressed with the "big" city. She would point out how tall all the buildings are...

I visited Sea World in San Diego, California many times as I was growing up, when I lived in California. I took Matt there many times as well. I couldn't wait to take Taylor to the Vancouver Aquarium...

It's not quite as big as Sea World, but we had a good time! Apparently, people in the area petitioned to free some of the animals, so the ones living at the aquarium are there because they were rescued and are not able to return to the wild. There were two female Beluga Whales and two babies on display...

Even Ben was impressed at how high these dolphins were able to jump out of the water...

The color of these two parrots were so vibrant. They were Taylor's favorite birds...

Taylor walked along the ledge of this display with the bat ray (or whatever it was) and said it was her friend and she was taking it for a walk. I love this picture because I can see her smile in the reflection of the glass as she looks adoringly at her friend...

There were many displays of colorful fish. Some had bubbles where Taylor could peek her head and look inside the exhibit from the middle...

After the aquarium, we took a ferry to the Sunshine Coast to spend the night at Aunt Wendy and Uncle Dave's. This was a large ferry, holding approximately 350 cars.

It was very nice and had pretty views...

Aunt Wendy pulled out Heather's old doll house for Taylor to play with while we were there. Taylor had so much fun, it inspired me to add a gift to her Christmas list...

We had an absolute wonderful time visiting with Aunt Wendy, Uncle Dave, Josh, Laura, and Matthew. This is their new home, and they are still finishing a few things, but it is very beautiful...

You can see the ocean over the trees from Wendy's dining room.

We could see lights from Victoria in the evening.

Wendy's house as we were driving away. Very nice!

After another nice drive through the little town of Roberts Creek, we got back on the ferry and headed over to visit Grandma Enns.

Uncle Kim and Uncle Andrew brought pizza.

Taylor loved watching Zach and Elizabeth play. She wanted to join in the rough housing, but wasn't quite sure about it. She did have fun playing with them. Grandma also sent us home with lots of treasures. I had a wonderful time going through old photo albums with her!

We spent the night at Uncle Kim's again. Taylor enjoyed another bowl of his cereal, Fiber 1 with Honey Clusters. She liked it so much, I bought some for our house.

It was so nice to visit in December and see all the Christmas decorations. On our final morning, we even had a little snow.

We visited Andrew and Heather, Zach and Elizabeth on our way back home. We had a nice lunch and the kids had lots of fun playing.

Zach even performed a little recital for us.

Elizabeth and Taylor played with a ball you squish and it pops back up. They had a great time.

I love going to Canada to visit the family! I hope we can visit again soon. We had a wonderful time!