Oh there's no place like home for the holidaze...
So we are home from our flying trip home to Ontario (that would be Canada), and had a marvelous time seeing friends and family... there's just never enough time! The kids and I flew home while daddy drove out on Wednesday, so we were all able to drive home together last Sunday the 23rd. It is a real thrill to be able to drive with 3 kids in a packed station wagon in pouring rain for 9 hours, diverted with 'gotta go now!' stops. But we arrived back home to a very white New Hampshire just in time for Christmas and Bella's birthday. Here is our trip and Christmas vacation in a nutshell...
First stop... at my sister Cathy's where the kids had fun with Bub & Shanny (who didn't have to go to school on Monday!!) playing in the snow, and sleeping in sleeping bags on the floor!!
We then stopped by at our old neighbours - Mario & Kerri-Ann - and got our first peek at their new little guy Emilio... what a sweetie! The kids where very enthralled with him, even David, who couldn't wait for his turn to hold him... too bad we still didn't live next door, cause there'd be some anxious baby-sitters!
Bella with her buddy Kerri and little Emilio
Next stop, Grandma & Grandpa's. After getting aquainted anew with the accordian and exploring the house, the kids had a blast playing outside in piles of snow. Grandpa pulled the kids around on a sleigh behind the 4-wheeler, made snowmen, and mama made a snowfort for them in a huge snowbank. 
Next stop, Aunt Shirley's new house in Sarnia. We had a busy time exploring another house with pretty decorations and tea cups and other breakable stuff... but enjoyed a feast of freshly baked cookies and punch.
Yummy cookies.... what a Martha moment... (note the lavishly decorated plate!)
Kodak moment by the tree... 
The tree had such beautiful decorations.... fun stuff to touch!
Back at the farm on the sleigh... provided hours of fun
Grnadpa made this snowman 
Miss Kate all bundled up
and David by the snowman
Bella on the sleigh 
Kate loving the 4-wheeler rides
On Saturday our entire family -all 28 of us - enjoyed a fun-packed day filled with eating cookies, snowball fights, and feasting on turkey... here are some family shots...
28 around the table...
We always do this crazy tradition of putting on a skit or play, or making up songs, or dressing up crazy... so this year, the kids put on a little skit of 'The Grinch that stole Christmas".. the best fun was seeing the costumes! yikes! (I think we have a little black-mail material!)
Alyssa as the narrator...
Bella as Cindy-Lou Who and Stevie has the Grinch
all the kids... (David was Max the dog, but got a little stage fright... go figure! and Kate had just woke up and was a grouch... not the Grinch)
the crazy guys
little miss Cindy-Lou Who (not sure what the gun is from?)
and the crazy girls...
Then most importantly, was the opening of the presents.. funny how kids learn about presents.... Kate caught on pretty quick and loved tearing the paper...
Bella waiting patiently
...more presents!!!
Rachel & Ed (the only non-member of the family.... yet!!!!) 
Excited about his new tractor! 
Kate snuggling in with Uncle Rick 
Mom & Charlotte
What happens when you fall asleep on the couch in the middle of the room filled with relatives who like to make fun of you... 
The whole gang... minus Bobbie - my Grandma 
Next stop, Niagara Falls for mtg. on Sunday. We went to see our friends where we used to go to mtg. when we lived in Ontario... was very special to be there... we stayed for lunch and a short visit...
They surprised Bella with a birthday cake... here she is with one of her best friends Donna 
and holding baby Lucas 
and another of her favourites... Lyall
Brenda & Stacy 
Jessie & Randy (wow, she didn't even make a silly face!) 
Lucas & David
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