Merry Christmas

Ice Storm

Freezing rain hit Toronto on Saturday evening.  It really wreaked havoc on the city: shutting down all streetcars due to icicles on all the lines, making sidewalks as slippery as can be, and killing the power to much of the city.

The trees covered in ice created quite an effect but what we really loved was this bush just across the street from us.  Look how the ice completely encapsulated the needles!  It was so beautiful.

Our Smiley Guy

Benjamin is reaching the ripe old age of 6 months, and I'm sorry to sound so cliche-ish but it has gone fast.  Much faster than it did with Helena, probably because there's just not as much time to sit and relish every move he makes.

But boy, do we still enjoy every moment we have with him.  His smile is so infectious, and it's just wonderful how his entire face smiles.

He has figured out how to spin himself in circles on the floor.  This means you can place him on the floor, surround him with toys, and he'll be quite content looking at each toy and moving it around until he can't reach it anymore.  Here's a photo to illustrate what it looks like right before he starts to fuss:

A tooth is coming in, which brings a whole new parental experience to John & me.  For some reason Helena was not bothered by new teeth at all.  So much so that a new tooth would suddenly appear and we weren't even aware it was coming!  This is not how Mr. B is, and that's okay.

But teeth make me sad, as his gummy smile will be gone, which then makes me think of all the fun things he does now that won't last forever.  His cute way of sucking on his bottom lip.  His look of confusion when we hide behind our hands & then his glowing face when we reappear during Peek-a-boo.  Mr. B's most wonderful giggle with an occasional snort.  His joy when in just a diaper, no matter how tired he is.  His love of his sink baths.

His interest in table food started at 4 months, and he's been enjoying his purees for over a month now, with a bit of a break for a bout of Croup.  He loves the food and he loves holding the spoon. 

Six months old and I love my little boy with all my heart and more.

Friends from the Other Side of the World

Lorina and I have known each other for a long time - 12 1/2 years to be exact!  We've been able to share in each other's lives in various ways and at various times, but for the last 7 years it's only been a meet-up every 2 or 3 years since we live 12 time zones away from each other.

But they were in North Dakota when we were in Minnesota, and they so wonderfully took a drive to come spend the morning and to each lunch with us.  It took awhile for Helena to warm up but Lorina's daughter is so sweet and eventually Helena loved her.  I sure loved all the chatting.  Thanks again for taking a trip to see us, Lorina! 

John's Trip

While we were in the Midwest, John was in Baltimore at two conferences.  He also had a great time meeting up with friends and professors from his alma maters.  

 

His brother was also nice enough to fly out and spend a day with him in Washington D.C. and then another day in Baltimore. 

They spent their time touring the mall on bikes and eating good food.  I'm so glad they got to spend that time together!

Christmas is coming!

Snow began to fall yesterday and it's so beautiful!  

I do hope it sticks & that more comes before the 25th.

 

Our church's Christmas pageant was tonight.  

For some reason, a pageant always puts me in the holiday spirit!

Can you find Helena?

We've been back for awhile but...

I just haven't gotten around to blogging.  Not sure why but when I make a post, I want it to be GOOD.  You know, interesting, well-written and with good pictures.  This prevents me from posting which is just silly.  A friend of ours from B.C. emailed us last night asking if I was pregnant since she hadn't seen anything on the blog for awhile and pregnancy was the reason last year.  Oh Jemma, no I am not pregnant (thank goodness) yet I do have baby fever because Mr. B is growing way too fast.  But I'm glad you asked about the blog because this is something I really want to do and sometimes I just need a bit of prodding!

Here are a bunch of pictures from the kids & my recent trip to visit family.  They are not in any specific order but there is a caption for each one.

Cousin Anamarie made Benjamin a box to sit in while at their house. She had colored it with different colors for his entertainment and labeled it "B Box" so we'd all know what it was for.  It was so thoughtful of her and he loved it.  He also loved the rides he got when the cousins pushed him around.

My sister was able to visit at the same time we were, which was so great!  It's hard to live on opposite sides of the continent and so nice when we're able to meet in the middle.  Helena is a huge fan of Auntie Katie and she had a great time hanging out with her.  

We all had fun relaxing and playing at Grandma's house!

 

Papa is quite the playmate, as you can see.  He & Helena had one afternoon together while Mom, Benjamin & I went shopping.  When we got home, we learned all about their playdate (what Helena called it).  They both enjoyed their afternoon immensely.

Nani always has lots of fun activities to do when we visit.  One evening she taught Helena how to make pigs in a blanket.  Helena has requested to have them again!

Helena just loves spending time with cousins.  She & Sophia played at Grandma's one afternoon & you could tell Helena adores Sophia.

Dillon & Jack were very excited to meet Mr. B, their first boy cousin.  I am looking forward to the days when Benjamin is following their every move, just like Helena does her big girl cousins!

First Thanksgiving for me with the Screnocks, first American Thanksgiving for Helena & Benjamin.  The spread was amazing, Anika, and we all had fun.  This is obviously the kids' table.

We were in Bemidji during the annual Lefse Days at Ace Hardware.  How could we resist a quick stop?  Helena preferred the popcorn.

We went to McDonald's twice - had to play in the Playplace, as there are none near us in Toronto and it was so so cold outside.  Helena found some fun playmates in her Nani & her mom.  (We learned on our way back that all playplaces are being removed from McDonald's in Buffalo, New York, as they're seen a liability.  I have to wonder if this is the beginning of a trend...)

We always take walks when at Grandma's, whether it's just around the block or over to her friends who have chickens.  Helena's now old enough to walk Bailey by herself.

Benjamin's first snow came while we were up north.  He didn't seem too enthused about it but I did get a picture of him smiling.  So sweet he is.

Helena was quite the help shoveling the snow.  Once again, she & Papa were pals.  Another activity she loved to do with Papa was "watch movies".  If he was downstairs watching the news or watching a football game, she'd go downstairs and sit down, cover up with a blanket, and watch with him while sucking her thumb.  She loved to "watch movies" and my dad liked it when they snuggled while watching.

Uncle E promised to take Helena to the zoo when we visited, and he kept that promise!  We had a great morning seeing all the animals.  Helena's favorites?  The ducks.

Thanks for a wonderful trip family!

Happy Thanksgiving

I am O-so-thankful for my family.

 How adorable is that boy?!

My wife is beautiful.

My precious little girl.

I miss you all so much!! See you very soon...

Happy Halloween!

From our friendly pig and tiger.

The Current Food Fad

All the rage over cupcakes has passed, as have the ones for donuts and fish tacos.

Currently, the big thing in restaurants is Ramen.  Yes, Ramen.  When we told TomDad and Lynda we thought we should go out and try it at the Japanese noodle house Kenzo, they did not look particularly enthused.  But they went with us and it was a fun experience.

Here's a bit of info for you:

These are not instant noodles.  These noodles are made the day before in a $30,000 machine, and then they sit out over night.  They are made with soft wheat, which is not the typical North American wheat used for bread.  The owners of the restaurant contacted over 100 millers in Canada before they found one in Manitoba who could provide soft wheat for them.

It's also not broth made from powder.  These broth is simmered for 24 hours to get maximum flavor.

We thought the food was good.

I love my kids. I love my husband. I love my life.

Just uploaded a bunch of photos, and as I was quickly going through them again so they'd all be upright, tears formed.

After Benjamin was born, both John & I realized how big Helena was.  She wasn't a baby anymore, as made obvious by the new baby in the apartment, but she also wasn't a little toddler either.  We were forced to realize that she's getting big.

Ignore the dirty face and just notice how old she looks.

She's starting to read letters on cereal boxes, in books, and on signs.  She likes to get the mail to see if there's any with an H on it, because she knows if there is, it's for her.

Having a kid who is 2 1/2 years old is so much fun.

Then there's Mr. B.  He is so smiley, so alert, and so long.

His fingers, or someone else's, are in his mouth at least 50% of the day.  He loves to grab, and he's already going after food on his parents' plates. He laughs when someone howls "ahh-ooo" over and over again.  He has rolled over in both directions a few times and it's obvious he wants to be on the move.

Having a baby who is 4 months old is so much fun. 

Besides the kids, there's John.  My hardworking, studious, list-making, always-trying-to-go-to-bed-earlier husband.  Also known as Helena & Benjamin's Duplo-loving, book-reading, song-singing, bath-giving daddy.

Having a husband who loves me & our kids, and shows that love to us everyday, is so much fun.

I'm loving my life right now.  Livin' it and lovin' it.

Fun with Family

Grandpa and Nana Lynni visited last weekend. 

 

 It was a whirlwind of fun - in restaurants, on the streets of Toronto, in a barber shop, in a variety of stores, and at home.

Lynda could always get smiles out of Benjamin by saying "Nana Nana Nana" over and over again.

 

Helena loved introducing them to her Bob horse (named after their horse) and to Grandpa bear (named after, you guessed it, Grandpa).  She also "taught" Lynda how to put a puzzle together and how to play Dominoes. 

Just chatting it up with Grandpa!

Studly, don't you think?

Looking for something to read?

If you're looking for something to read while you waste time on the internet, here are a few suggestions:

1)  John & I used to regularly find things that are different between the U.S. and Canada.  Now that we've been living in Canada for 5 years, though, the differences don't really become apparent until we go back to the States.  It's kind of weird.

But a friend recently shared the blog What's Different in Canada with us.  It has some great little factoids, some that we hadn't come across before.

2) The number one thing that Americans ask us about living in Canada is health care.  Of course.  Here's an interesting article on the myths surrounding Canadian health care.

3) The hardest part of living in British Columbia was regularly hearing negative comments about the States and Americans.  Sometimes I just yearned for someone to say something nice about my country.  A friend posted this on Facebook today, and I enjoyed reading why the U.S. isn't completely bad.

Helena says... (Part Two)

Recently at a children's Bible study, Helena learned the story of Abraham and God's promise to him. We went over the story with her, and we connected the story to her memory verse from the study: "I trust in your word" (Psalm 119:42). God promised Abraham that he would have lots and lots of kids (as we put it), and Abraham trusted God's word; he trusted that God would do what he promised. And, of course, he did.

I also taught Helena the "Father Abraham" song (Father Abraham had many sons, many sons had father Abraham. I am one of them, and so are you, so let's all praise the Lord.). I like to change the word "sons" to "kids," to include daughters like Helena, and because its a better rendering of what God promised to Abraham anyways.

The other night at bedtime, I sang the Father Abraham song to Helena. Lying there in the dark, I tried to make the connection again for Helena. "Abraham trusted God's word."

To this, Helena promptly responded, "You didn't trust God's word, Daddy."

I was a bit taken aback by this bold assessment.

"I didn't? Why not?"

"You only have two kids."

Helena says... (Part One)

"Daddy!" she yelled from the other side of the door. I was already halfway down the hall. I turned back.

"Daddy! Come back. I wanted to give you a kiss!"

"Daddy!"

When Charlotte helped her open the door, I was standing there.

"I wanted to give you a kiss."

We had already exchanged hugs, as usual. We often exchange kisses, too, but not that
morning.

She gave me a nice kiss on the cheek.

"Now you can go."

That really makes a dad feel like a million bucks!

Helena the Photographer

The camera has become an object of interest for Helena, so we sometimes let her take pictures.  Here are some of the better ones (I didn't include any of the 20 pictures of our couch cushion or the one of the laundry rack or the one of our wood floor!)