Holiday Season 2008

Well, Christmas has come and gone and I always feel a little bit down after our visitors have ventured back down south (aka Windsor). When you live far away from both sides of the family, it's always nice to have a household full of visitors/family to share your days and evenings with. Once they leave, it's back to (a lonelier) reality. Ed has taken the day off tomorrow to look after Bella, because I, unfortunately, am back to work for another stretch. Ed is already wondering how to keep the little one occupied during the course of the day. This winter is already too long and the sad reality is that we still have at least another 3 mos left of these frigid temperatures. :(

It was a wonderful holiday season, Ysabella had so much fun with all of our family and friends. Santa made it to our house a day late this year. (We planned it with Santa that way, because of my crazy work schedule.) Santa came during her nap time on Boxing Day. She didn't care much for unwrapping presents this year (she was bored after opening the first 2 or 3), but she loves all of her new things.

Here's some pics.

Boxing Day. Santa was here, Santa brought presents!

Watching papa open one of her presents.
OOhhh! It's a doctor's medical kit! Complete with a pager, a medical bag, a cell phone, and a stethoscope. Here's Bella with all these things in hand, at the same time! Hilarious.

One of her all-time favourite toys. (Can you tell by the look on her face?) A doll and a doll stroller. I think Santa had one of his elves pick this one out at Winner's. (BTW, fantastic toys there, if you don't mind picking through the lot of them on the often messy shelves...)

Helping mom open some presents.

Taking a moment to give some cuddles.

Gramma & Smokey, Auntie 'Mamie' and cousin Jacob came for the New Year's celebrations. It was also Gramma's birthday (on December 28th), and Auntie Amy's (on New Year's Day).

They brought along Jacob's 'Time-Out' bench for Ysabella. So far she enjoys sitting on it. I'm sure that will change in the months/years to come.

Smiling pretty to take a picture with Auntie Amy.

Skyping with uncle Ronny in Chicago! A sick program (that's teenager/Jacob talk...) for those of you with family/friends out of town. We'll definitely be doing it more often. Anybody can download the software here, all you need is a web cam and a microphone. So please, let us know when you do, and let's Skype! (Tanya and Mark, you need to download this so the kids can talk/see each other!)


I'm off to bed, so that's all for now, but there's way more pics....more to post in the next few days.

Happy 2009 everybody! xo