Early Christmas!

On Saturday we had our early Christmas. In the morning we were on the webcam with Grandma Colleen in New York so she could see Oliver and Mikayla open their presents. Then at 4pm Grandpa Ray and Grandma Sandy came over along with Sandy's kids and their kids!! So, we had 9 adults and 7 kids here in total :)) It was chaos but in the best way. When the presents came out we could barely see our floor for gifts, paper and cardboard!! Oliver was really in the swing of things this year - he would open one present and then say "more" :)) And, yes, he still has more to open. We saved gifts from us and other friends and family and we're spreading them out over the week. Yesterday he got a new truck from Granddad Graham which is a big hit. All he wants to do is put the cars on the truck and then take them off again (it's a hauler). Might be time for another present tomorrow to save my sanity, ha ha!!

We are getting ready for the big trip on Friday. The suitcases are out and I've started packing. Still have a ton of stuff to do but we'll get there. Look out for a new update and lots of UK pics when we get back in the New Year :)) Merry Christmas everyone!!!

Oliver loves his Leaptag Junior :)

Puzzles!

Mikayla on her new trike

Meticulous present opening.....

Monkey travel pillow ready for SLEEPING on the flight!!!!

Where's the floor??!!

Opening gifts with Daddy

Where else would a bow go but on the head?

Mikayla taking an interest in Oliver's new car :)

The grandparents with all the grandkids: Mikayla, Alex, Madison, Blake, Isabelle, Oliver (yes, the only one not looking the right way!) and Anna

He's definitely a boy......

Well, obviously he's a boy you may say but let me clarify. In the past week Oliver has become increasingly obsessed with the contents of his nappy. Oh yes. He likes to point at his bottom and say "poo" when he's performed. He also likes to say "no poo" just incase we missed the fact he hasn't. Oh, and the funniest is when we change his nappy and he says "bye bye poo". I know in 10-15 years time he'll never believe he did this so we had to catch it on video. Don't worry, there is nothing on show so you're quite safe ;) We all know the next thing will be farting - oh, I just can't wait for that......

The big news is that Oliver is now sleeping in his big bed!! He had napped in it for a few days then one night a couple of weeks ago he chose to sleep in it at bed time and (touch wood) he has been absolutely fine. He loves to get in his bed just to read books during the day as well. So, the cot has been moved into the baby's room and he seems to realise that is where the baby will sleep. He goes into the nursery and says "hi baby" and then "bye baby" when we leave again :) And yesterday he was helping me sort out some of the baby clothes.

We had a lovely Thanksgiving weekend. On the day itself Ray and Sandy came over to have dinner with us. They returned the favour on the Saturday when we all went over to them. I think Oliver enjoyed having Daddy around for 4 days in a row :) We even dragged the Wii Fit out of the cupboard and Oliver just loves that. He tries very hard to do all the yoga poses and likes to join in :)

This past Thursday we went downtown to watch the Holidazzle Parade with Jennifer, Matt and Mikayla. We got a great (and warm!) spot in one of the skyways where we could watch the parade go by. We grabbed some pizza and had a picnic while we were waiting :) Then afterwards we took the kids to Macy's to see their annual Christmas display. They both really seemed to enjoy it and Oliver was running back and forth to look at everything.

Winter is finally upon us here. We were spoiled with some warm weather in November but that is no more. We're now well into the days where it never gets above freezing (in celsius). We've had just a dusting of snow so still awaiting the first big storm but you sense it's not far off - just stay away on the night of December 18th so we can fly out without a delay please :))

Next Saturday we are having a big family get together here so we can exchange gifts before our trip. I think we are having about 16 people here so should be lots of fun. I'll try and get another update on before we leave!

Oliver got a new car for being such a star in his new bed

And here it is in action...

Doing Wii Fit with Daddy!

Snuggling up with all the toys at Grandpa and Grandma's house

And snuggling up with Sandy just before going home (very tired....)

Playing at the Eagle's Nest indoor playground this past week. I am taking Oliver here on the morning we fly out with the sole purpose of making him tired!!

Having a picnic before the Holidazzle parade

A bit blurry but the kids watching the parade go by