Christmas 2009

Phew! What a crazy month! We made it back home to Ottawa Sunday night after leaving Ottawa to drive to Windsor on the 23rd. We drove 11 hours (after I worked a night shift) and we didn't arrive until 11pm. Unfortunately, we spent only 3 days with family and friends before having to drive another full day back to Ottawa because I had to return to work on Monday morning. Bella was amazing in the van (thank goodness for portable DVD players and for Thomas, Dora, and Max & Ruby!) After burning the candle at both ends for the last few weeks, I ended up super sick on Christmas Day while we were visiting my brother Ron in Michigan. I felt like a total party-pooper because I had a fever, chills & body aches, and all I wanted to do was crawl into bed and throw the blankets over my head. I missed out on or had to cut short visiting with family and friends. And now I have bronchitis and can't stop coughing. Not to worry, Ysabella had so much fun playing with all the animals, toys, family and friends. She was only mildly ill, and she must be way tougher than I because she has completely recovered with nothing more than the ever present toddler snotty nose.

So here are some of my holiday favourites.

Christmas Eve:

We had dinner at mom's, stuffed ourselves silly and played on a Wii. So much fun!

Ysabella keeps busy at Gramma's house.

Just another picture, but when I saw this I couldn't help but think that this is what it will be like to see her go to school. Eeek!!

If Bella could've taken this dog home, she would have. And if I didn't have allergies, Ed & I would sneak Jade out the front door, put him in the van and take him home to Ottawa with us. Stop freaking out, I know he's a pit bull but really, he is the BEST DOG EVER. Really.

Ysabella gives a great big hug to great big cousin Jacob. Thank you again, Jacob. You're the best. (You know why.) xo

Ysabella feeds the animals treats. The pitbull is an angel. It's this cats that are crotchety and unpredictable. This one scratched Ysabella. After, Bella walked around the house calling the two cats "nasty, nasty kitties" and she stayed as far away as possible from them. She's right, they are nasty. (p.s. NO, those aren't pearls around her neck, but rather, they are Christmas decorations. Yes, it is I, her mother, that allowed my small child to but dangerous objects around her neck...)

2 going on 20. (She looks like such a big girl to me!)

Christmas Morning:

It wasn't long before Bella realized that Santa left some crumbs. She helped herself to them shortly thereafter.

Unwrapping the first gift. A very pretty dress from Tita & Tito in Victoria. (And a great big thank you for all the gifts from everybody in Victoria! xoxo) p.s. Notice the clustered ornaments on the lower branches of the Christmas tree? Bella helped Jacob to decorate this tree as well.

Ysabella has been waiting months for a new camera. The dollar store camera broke (go figure! quality!) so, here I splurged! a whole $15 and bought her a new camera. Which she LOVED! (It talks, what child wouldn't?) It was the second gift, and she would have been more than happy to stop there.

A younger, waaay cooler Santa.

Dora chapstick from big cousin Savannah. She loves it! (Was there any doubt?)

A crazy wig for dress-up/playtime. The adults had way more fun with it (can you tell?).

Ysabella opens a gift and tries hard to figure out what it is, but there's just one problem. It's upside-down.

One of my all-time fav's. She turns it around and realizes it's a 'Wonder Pets' rescue boat. Can you see her excitement!?!
So he wouldn't feel left out, Santa brought Jade some doggy treats. Bella couldn't wait to feed him.

And lots and lots of Thomas! From pyjamas to story books to engines, Thomas ruled this Christmas.
Here, poppa reads her one of the books given to her from Gramma.

Visiting with Uncle Ron in a hotel at Metro Airport in Michigan. Bella looks out the window at all the planes landing. (Very cool.)

Catching up. Ed and Ron went down to the lobby and came across a whole bunch of somber looking people. They talked to them for a bit and found out that those somber looking people just happened to get off that plane from Amsterdam...you know the one that almost BLEW UP!!? Geez, no wonder they were somber. (That was too close of a call for my liking...talk about being in the wrong place at the wrong time.)

Not long after this photo I thought I was going to die because I felt so sick, so I didn't manage to get any pictures of Bella with her uncle. :( It was great to see you big brother! Thanks for driving to meet up with us and for bringing all that super yummy food! xoxo

There is still a few more Christmas photos to follow, Look for part 2 tomorrow.

I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas!