An Amazing January

This January has been amazing. Most days are more like April than they are January. We haven't had much snow, but just being outside is wonderful.

My Family

Christmas Evening and Morning

 Ready for Santa's visit

I am reading Alfie the Christmas Tree to the kids. This is the first year that I've had the book. Every other year for about the past 15 I have recited it.

Stockings on Christmas morning

and  below all of my grandchildren in one room on Christmas afternoon. This is the first time.

The Hockey Tournament and Bonfire

Mekhi and Kaden played hockey with the adults. Ireland played goalie with Stephanie. Cory said "Emma is an amazing hockey player." Hilary took the kids for rides on the quad. Keana saw the entire party from Megan's back and Amanda's back and was as good as gold. Dawson fell asleep briefly and almost had a bed in a sled. Brandee rescued kids tumbling from rock cliffs and snowball fights in the dark

Me, Clinton, Matt, Cameron and David hauled brush from one pile to the bonfire.

Siobhan, Me, Stephanie, Amanda, Pam, Cory, Cameron, David helped the little kids play hockey, or was it the other way around. Regardless, we made two great teams.   Megan, Brandee, Dereck, Hilary and Dawson cheered from the sidelines.

Ryan and Candice lit Asian Lanterns and set them free in the night sky to drift until the little fires burned out.

And Megan said "I love you and thank u for organizing such an amazing Christmas!!!"

The quad (and the fire) were used for lighting

Mekhi

 Hilary, Dawson, Dereck

Kaden, Brandee, Matt & Clinton 

 Cameron and Emma

 Amanda, Mekhi, Stephanie & Kaden

 Mekhi, David, and I can't tell who else

 Emma's power move, Cameron has the puck

 Cameron and David

Me and Cameron

Mekhi

Merry Christmas and thanks to everyone who has helped to make this a perfect Christmas these past few days… and Christmas hasn't even arrived yet.  It is so nice having all my family and my friends around this year.  You are all "THE BEST!"

The Ice Rink

Another one of my articles
Preparation for the hockey tournament tomorrow night began the other day and the crew was in full force today.

The kids has a blast hauling brush for the fire, shovelling snow, and sliding on the ice. The dogs joined in on the fun and were not a problem running lose at all, which is a huge relief for me.

Tomorrow night, we have a hockey match between with most of the kids that my children grew up playing with. Hence the purpose of the ice rink.

Due to a shortage of skates and a lack of skill on some of our part, in skating, it may be a combo of boot hockey and ice hockey.

Matt found a "pirate treasure map" today and after we finished getting the rink ready, the kids had to search out the treasure.

Everyone had a great time. This winter is so amazingly warm and there is so little snow, playing with little kids, is easy.

Oh Christmas Tree

We had all my grandchildren together and went out yesterday to chop down a Christmas tree.

Matt & Mekhi (left)

Me and Bentley (right)

Thomas in the back, (left to right) Ireland, Stephanie with Dawson, Bentley and Megan (Thomas')

Megan, Mekhi and Keana in the backpack

Kaden

Clinton and the tree





And the next day we decorated it.

Let The Holidays Begin

For the first time in six years, all the kids are home this Christmas. Being a big of a Christmas Scrooge normally, this year I am totally excited. Stephanie, Matt, Kaden & Ireland arrived on Saturday, so did Hilary and Dawson, although. Thomas, Megan and Bentley yesterday and of course, Megan, Kellon, Mekhi and Keana live here year round, Clinton arrived last night (my adopted son? Yeah, that fits)

They are not all staying here, but regardless my house is small, and the weather is perfect this year, so we're spending a lot of time outside.

Yesterday we walked across the ice to the island for a little sliding. There isn't much snow, which meant that the bedrock hill was a little coarse and slippery for climbing.

When the kids were little, they found all sorts of hills like this where they would torture their bodies banging down bedrock. Looks like we're carrying it on to a second generation

I am loving this Christmas. Even the dogs are in on the fun.