Christmas and such!

So, I am going to tell a little bit of a pictorial version of our Christmas... LOL

My mom and dad's Christmas tree.



These are the socks that you on Facebook have seen, but that I had to keep quiet everywhere else in order to surprise My dad!!! I think he was surprised....




My awesome toe grafting!!!



 So, we had a very busy season. We made the drive into Regina on Monday. Then Tuesday we took off to Tugaske for a visit. Was awesome to see everyone there again...  Then back to Regina on Thursday afternoon.  Relaxed a wee bit then Christmas hit. My girl opened a present Thursday, Thank you great auntie N and great uncle W. Christmas eve she opened 2 presents. One being from Great Uncle S. and Great auntie T. Thank you for the fantastic book. The other being the traditional Pajama's(new jammies Christmas eve, if you needed them or not). Then, on to Christmas morning!

 Originally I had envisioned following her up the stairs with the video camera to get her reaction when she came up. She slept longer than I did. So, I was upstairs already waiting for her to bring daddy up with her. So, Daddy did not change her bum and as I was filming Gwyn seeing all the stockings and presents laid out  he was telling me how I needed to change a bum.. so.. no good video... at least til I get it on the computer and see if I can edit it.  Now, she came upstairs and went right past all the stockings and presents right to the table her Grandpa built and Grandma stained and varnished.  After sitting and colouring there for a while she then decided to get down and play with her train... It was a while yet before she  had any interest in the stocking and such that was there for her.

Colouring at the table Grandpa made!



Playing with her train.

 Gwyn was very helpful! She delivered stockings to everyone. Delivered presents too! She even helped her Grandma open some of her stocking and maybe some others too.. but only caught this one myself!



 She wore her headbands around her neck! What a character!



Christmas was a very big day for Gwyn... she petered out about noon.... The rest of the day... she had a nap with grandma, but was still very tired all day! 

Enjoying her chair from Grandma and Grandpa!

 Boxing day we saw Auntie N and Cousin R. Opened presents and visited.....



Ready to go out! - Ready to go!

  By Monday, Gwyn was ready to go.. we aren't sure if it's just out she wanted or... home.. but she got really cranky in the evening and we took her down to bed. She would not settle... asked her if she wanted to go home and she settled right down and was a whole new child.  So, Tuesday we finished our running about and headed home.

I had saved her present from us on the  table for when we arrived home. (The train set and jammies she got in the city were also from us....)  The funny thing about the present I saved... LOL I came in and  had to pee.. James was unloading the van. All good.. Gwyn, unwrapped her present!! LOL She loves it!

And well that about wraps up Christmas I guess! We are home safe and sound... all good!

Hope you all had a very Merry Christmas!! And that you have a very Happy New Year, through the year!!

Cow Book Giveaway!

Ok, so here it is. Mommypants is giving away Amazing Cows by Sandra Boynton!! So, A certain auntie N. gave Gwyn the belly button book for her birthday and Gwyn LOVES it!! So anyone with a little one.. head on over.. but make sure you go before January 10!! And enter to win!!

http://mommypants13.blogspot.com/2010/12/amazing-cows-review-and-giveaway.html

Christmas time....

Well. I read a blog post yesterday.. that got me thinking about Christmas. Christmas' past and Christmas now. Got me thinking about those who are here, and those who are gone.  I had a major rush in of memories, Childhood, teenage, young adult and where I am now. With those memories came a giant rush of emotion. I teared up remembering. The post, which you can read by clicking on my tittle, was very well written, and made me want to write about all my Christmas past and present,  maybe even what I hope for the future.
For any of you reading via FB or otherwise where you can't just click the tittle - http://goldengrainfarm.blogspot.com/p/what-does-j-say.html

Gwyn's very first Christmas

Ok, so I haven't a clue really where to start... all these things come rushing in.  I remember growing up, we always had a Christmas eve present.  Now, mom did not ever let on that, this is what it was. We would beg to open a present early and mom would hold off... and hold off.. until it was late. I think she was  trying to make sure we opened it and it settled us enough to go to sleep.  It would always, without fail. Be new Pj's. This was whether you needed them or not. We got new jammies on Christmas eve. We would open it up, and run to put them on! Then we would settle in and lay in wait for Santa Claus to come... LOL So many sleepless night with a giant day to follow.  I don't know how Santa snuck in all those years. When we lived on King street, we hung stockings right outside my door and I never heard or saw him... must have come and put them there when I was sleeping that 5 minutes!!  I remember my kindergarten teacher telling us there was no such thing as Santa.  I was very upset, but held it in.  I snuck out to the bathroom after I was supposed to be in bed and the stockings were gone.. well then there was a crying out pour.  Mom came with the stockings in hand and asked what was the matter. I told her about our teacher and what she had told us and how it must have been true. Mom said she was just wiping the stockings down as they looked a little dusty. So we hung them again and off to bed I went with renewed faith. Christmas morning would be stockings. But! We had to wait for mom and dad to get up.  I because I was the youngest of us 2 would sneak into mom and dad's room then jump on the bed and say "Come see what Santa brought!!!" LOL Mom and dad would be so sleep deprived I don't know how they made it through those Christmas'. Course.. I know they knew how deprived of sleep they were.. as it was only a few years and then they made the rule the clock must say 5am before we woke them.. then a little longer and it had to be 8am. I don't blame them one bit!!  So, in our stockings were always the neatest little treats, toys, hair thing's and neat little things of the sort.  In the toe of the stocking, a mandarin orange. That orange used to taste better than any other of the season.. I don't know if it is because it spent the night in the toe of the stocking and had some magic in it or what.. but it did.  Then we would open our gifts. On the early, early Christmas' mom and dad would go back to bed and we would have to play with what came out of our stockings and whatever Santa brought us.  Which suited us just fine. We would play with our new toys for that time...  Then when mom and dad got up we would have breakfast and empty the bottom of the tree.  After that, we would get dressed and head off.  We would have Christmas lunch in one grandparents home, and Christmas supper in the other set.  2 turkey dinners in one day.. oh my... that was a lot to take. Mind you that was the time of year we saw all our cousins at once and had great fun playing.  In our teen years we moved to the coast and for 4 of the 5 years we were there  had quiet Christmas' at home.  We would have a whole day to ourselves and would have some family friends over for supper. I remember feeding the ducks at Davis bay on Christmas day.  Only thing missing about Christmas in BC was the Grandparents and other family.  Coming back to Saskatchewan after 5 years on the coast... we had Christmas' at home. We had a few large family Christmas' and then they turned to us with Grandparents. Now, Mom and dad are the grandparents. We travel into the city, we have a visit and we have Christmas morning with Gwyn and grandparents, and Auntie Wendy and Uncle D.   For supper sometimes we will have Great Grandma.  But Christmas has been fairly quiet the last few years. I am betting though.. this year.. will be a whole lot noisier!! With Gwyn about! She will have a stocking along side the rest of us. And will be ready to rip into the pressie's under the tree! She fills a house with love and joy.... and that.. is what Christmas is all about.

Gwyn's second Christmas

I am certain I have forgotten a few things... but it took me.. a while to write this up.. as my wonderful love and joy.. runs about!

This an that...

Hi, it has come to my attention that my word verification is being a ..... booger... so I have turned it off. Thank you for letting me know.. I didn't even know it was on!!  Miss Em.. as for skating... if you take her.. and you want to try the cheap option.. grab a pair of bob skates.  I read reviews on them and apparently they were great for those that used them. I on the other hand let Gwyn try on real skates then showed her the bob skate.. OOPs! She wanted the real skate and nothing to do with the bob skate. Course my mom said I was the same!! As for the rest of life.. I hope to make some sugar cookies with Gwyn soon!! With any luck tomorrow!!! I cast on some mittens for her.. we shall see how far they go... I hope to make a few pair... maybe spread some around with the holiday cheer.. but will see how that turns out!!  Anyways.. I am off to work on said mittens.. tried 2 at a time.. not good.. maybe too much needle I dunno... But back to double points anyways..

Catch ya later mittens are calling!!

Going ons...

Well, It's been a week.. a very quiet week... We have been hibernating with the odd trip outside to get the mail or whatnot.  Have had Gwyn out for a couple rides on her boggan. Other than that.. pretty darn quiet. Trip to Wadena for a couple groceries. 

I tried a Barrett in Gwyn's hair for the first time.. seems she likes it much better than the ponytail.. I also tried piggy tails but she was having none of it... The Barrett however she left alone for a good half to whole hour!

She seems to like barrettes over ponytails

 I took this little pic so that her grandma could see how the shirt fit.. and how cute it was on her!! LOL never noticed how dirty her face was!! LOL

My, what a dirty face you have, my dear...

 On Saturday(yesterday), We went to skate with Santa.  Was Gwyn's first time skating ever. She had not napped. She did very well.  Though I think she was kinda mad she couldn't just take off like the rest of the kids.... in time.. .in time....

Not too sure bout this skating thing...

Not too bad gliding along

Skatin' with daddy

 Ready for a quick nappy before we head out to visit with Auntie T and the boys! We had a good visit out there.

after skating

 She likes it under the computer desk.. don't know why.. but.. she does... too cute in my opinion...

We had great fun at gymnastics today. Was a crazy small class.. only 3 showed up... and the weather was good.. roads were good... maybe too many trying to get ready for Christmas already.. who knows...

My train is a little small

Well my little angel is in bed.. so off to knit for me....

Survived Sunday

Well, Sunday we survived.Was a busy, lazy Sunday if that makes any sense at all. I went at noon to clean the gymnastics gym with the other parents whose turn it was.  We made short work of it. Then after that we loaded ourselves into the van and took off to Yorkton to do some shopping. We arrived in Yorkton late. But did still manage to do all we went for. Less any extra wanderings.. but that is getting to be the norm.  We also picked up a snowsuit for Gwyn that I had spoken for on a used for sale group. It looks pretty darn close to new.  And is the one she is wearing in the pic on her boggan below.  The snowsuit fits much better and gives her better movement than the 3 so far. But I do think she preferred the style of hood on the size 3. This one comes right up under the chin when you zipper and the hood is permanent on the jacket(verses the zip off kind). I think the neck may be a little tight on her.. so we leave the zipper down a wee bit... when we can.. sometimes it is just too damn cold.

Not sure if I like it cropped or not.. but she is just so damn cute!!!



Modeling her new shirt she got for her birthday and some hand me down boots she just absolutely had to put on!! No Questions asked.. so on they went!!! LOL



Toboggan ride up for the mail, Daddy came and was pulling... She liked that!



Wearing a Barret. Better luck with it than ponytail or piggy tails...

 And well.. Monday was a pretty quiet day... Today was a quiet one too.. OOH but we did try Playdoh today!!! She enjoyed it.  She didn't want to stop playing with it... Was fun to watch her explore it. 

On the knitting front.. I am planning out some mittens for my girl.... wondering if I should use wool or acrylic.. still thinking I need to do a wool test... (which is tie a piece inside her shirt somewhere to make sure it doesn't make her crazy). 

Today I made 2 - double batches of rice krispie cake. One with M&M's and one without. As Gwyn just pics out the M&M's so now she is going to get the plain stuff.

Well I will be off then.. will catch you all later... good eve....

Gwyn's Party!

 We had a nice little gathering for Gwyn's birthday here at home.  She had a couple friends come and play for a couple hours. We have a very yummy ice cream cake!! And I still have plenty left over.. I do think I will be taking some for her Grandma and Grandpa to the farm... maybe a couple pieces over to her friend that was sick.. and most definitely a few pieces to her cousins that we are going to see next weekend.  Preeceville is doing a skate with Santa, and I think as long as we find Gwyn the proper attire we will take her. It sounds like great fun.  Speaking of great fun. The weather has been beautiful!!! Absolutely fantastic!! So, I had Gwyn outside day before yesterday. It was -2cel. and gorgeous. So she had a swing... a play in the snow.. and a toboggan ride!! Was great.  I didn't have time yesterday to get her outside.. though she very much enjoyed playing with her friends.  I think we both look forward to when they can come play again.  It was good for her to have to share her toys with someone else(other than family).  She did amazingly well. The only thing she had trouble sharing was the last thing I thought she would.  I got the stroller out for her little friend to play with because her momma had stepped out for a moment and I thought it would distract her as she shows to be more maternal that Gwyn.  WELL, Gwyn never plays with the little stroller and doll but they were having it out over it. They did however settle and take turns. Which was good. So they had a great play, ate cake and all the good stuff. 

Today, is promising to be a busy one.  I am off to Wadena to clean equipment for Gymnastics.  And after that, rather than make 2 trips to Wadena in one day we are off to Yorkton.  The weather is fair and should be a good time to make the trip. No sun.. but the clouds keep it warmer so I won't complain.

Well I should be off... things to do... Catch you all later....

Pictoral Update.

Gwyn's nappy, as she would not go down!

Woo whoo!!! on the toboggan on the way back from the post office!

Just thought it was pretty with all the fresh snow... and the sun sitting just right..

That's it?

Crawling around in the snow...

Happy girl.. though the lens is fogged due to the cold outside and the warm in...

Been busy...Town, City, Birthday... Oh My!

Well, lets see... after I last posted I went to Wadena with a sample and did that running. I also stopped at a friends house for tea. Gwyn was comfortable there. She reminded this friend how busy toddlers of 2 are! LOL I enjoyed the tea and look forward to doing it again soon!

We went to the city on Tuesday rather than Wednesday as the weather was more favorable.  So, Monday was a very busy day.. and Tuesday even more so.. I so hate the packing and unpacking of big trips. I don't know so much that it is the packing or the worrying that you forgot something.. something important. Though you would think by now.. I should be over that. How many times have I packed up to go who knows where?  More times than enough.. and I must say though that with Gwyn getting older it is getting somewhat easier. Though... shame on me.. I did forget James toothbrushes... Something I thought I would leave to him and he thought I would just automatically pack... oops.

Learning how to use Grandma's Camera!

We had a good trip to the city. Big shopping trip to Costco. I like shopping there. Though it makes packing up to come home more interesting.  We also did some side trips for shopping. Grandma came with and we went to Old Navy, love their kiddie cloths. Grandma bought her a couple outfits there and some leggings. She looks very sweet in the tops Grandma bought her. 

Playing with Potsi from Auntie and Uncle D.

On the 18th, we had her birthday party for the city family.  Her great auntie N and great uncle W came  over earlier in the day so we could have a good visit.  Then in the afternoon we had a doctors appointment. Then in the evening we had her cake, after supper.  We had great grandma K, Auntie N, cousin R, Auntie W, Grandma and pa K, and her daddy and I. Was a nice visit and great fun. Gwyn loved opening her presents and playing with her cousin.

The doctor trip turned out funny. The doc and the nurse said 1st year? LOL no, 2nd... they couldn't believe she is 2 either!!! She is 34.5 inches tall, and she is 22.5lbs. I couldn't believe she is so tall! But she is. Wow.

So after all that we came home on Sunday.

Tuesday we had a present to open as it was Gwyn's for real birthday. I think it made her wonder where the rest of her party was... I don't think she realized that the rest is coming on Saturday. She wouldn't nap until late. I also made my holiday rice krispie squares for the bake sale in Kelvington this weekend. I made extra for James and for Gwyn's party on Saturday. 

City Cake - They are almost identical

LOL we had ice cream cake in Regina, and we brought an ice cream cake home with us from the city for Saturday. MMM mmm  Gwyn likes her ice cream cake.

All the makin's of a Granny my girl.. Likes to feed everyone!!!

And she will even help you clean up after a botched attempt!

Outfit from Great Auntie and Uncle.

 And I have been picking away at cleaning up this and that. Anyone coming to the party this weekend.. Please excuse my mess.... 7 years of drop and run, 1 year of that, at home with a busy toddler.. does not equal a house recovered. It still looks like a drop and run house..  But, we live here, and its dusty, but my girl is mostly happy and so are we... so I guess.. that is what matters.  What's that saying? "A house is not a home unless you can write I love you in the dust." I also like the one that a friend told me, "Don't clean before they come, clean when they leave."  So, again... come visit us.. but turn a blind eye on the state of the house... I try but sometimes it gets me nowhere....

Playing with her Little People From Grandma

Loving some time with daddy.

So far the best I can do with the train set from Great auntie, the set from Mommy and Daddy, and the fill in from Grandma and grandpa. I think I may need more short corners...

Sunday, Monday.....

 

Well, Yesterday was quite a day! We got up and hung out... Had mushroom soup for lunch which Gwyn shoveled in... Then down for a nap.. I had a shower.. got ready... woke Gwyn up after just over an hour, then off to Gymnastics! Which was fantastic! Gwyn did well :) Then home to watch the end of the nail biting Rider game... good gawd... double overtime! I guess both teams wanted to go on, which is really how it is supposed to be right?  Quick and easy supper. Hung out for a bit again.. then Gwyn off to bed at 9, out by 9:30 no fight. Mind you still in our bed but... time.. in time... So, got my dishes done. Got shhhh a pair of socks cast on!!!! Don't tell a soul!! They are a Christmas present.. long as I get them done!! LOL and I can only work on them when Gwyn is sleeping.. she gets so excited about the yarn. She then gets right upset about the knitting basket being a NO. So, knitting is done while she sleeps...which is all good :)

Today, we are up and fed. Gwyn needs a bath. WE have to go to Wadena with a grain sample... and a couple other little stops. Would go this morning but.... I don't know.... I have some laundry to do, some packing to do(might as well start getting stuff ready for the city trip weds.). Gwyn will be 2 on the 23rd! So we are having her birthday in the city on Thurs, and she has her 2 year check up too!! So we get to see how she is doing in the doctors eyes, As I know she is doing very well.. growing like a weed! Understands everything you tell her. Lets out words when she forgets she is holding out.. LOL All in good time...

Anyhow.. Gwyn is telling me she is hungry for her fruit now.. so I better run!! Catch ya later!