Oh Canada.....

We just returned from a trip to Canada. Darren's home-land.

Darren's step-brother got married! We were lucky enough to be able to attend. It was in a cute little town just north of Toronto. Here we are at the wedding. Mark, Kate, myself & Darren - all dressed up. Don't we look nice? Kate's dress was even more stunning in real life than this picture shows. Congrats!

Here is the downtown of the cute little city the wedding was held in & Mark and Kate live in. It is called Collingwood. One evening we went bowling. Turns out Canadian bowling is different than here in the states. They only have 5 pins. The balls are smaller w/ no holes. It was really fun!

Also there is a resort called Blue Mountain. It has some ski runs & a "town" at the base with shopping, eating, hotels, ice skating, etc. It was totally cute. People skiied right into the "streets" and stopped for lunch, coffee, whatever. There were ski & snowboard stands outside all shops. It was here we got to eat Darren's childhood favorite food Perogies. See how cute it is? The runs are small compared to what Darren & I grew up on. Myself Mt Hood & Mt Bachelor. Darren on Alberta's Canadian Rockies. But never the less they are super cute & looked fun. Maybe next time we'll take a day to go skiing.

Darren reverted to a total Canadian. It was fun to see.... and hear. After a few days he sounded more like he did when I met him 15 years ago.

We had a great great time. Congrat's to Mark & Kate and thanks for giving Darren and I an excuse to get very very far away from our west coast life in the states. And a special thanks to my mom & dad who watched the boys while we were away.

It was Merry Christmas!

Wow. What a Christmas this has been. We've done all sorts of super fun things. And because I know you care.... here is a recap of the past week or so.....

There was the Zoo Lights: We were invited to watch the Christmas Ship parade by some friends from their office building where they host a party. Here we are clammering to see. (they shut off the lights seconds after this shot). It was a SUPER fun time. The kids had the pleasure of running around like crazy people w/ 10-15 other kids in an empty office building. THAT was almost too much fun for them. We look forward to making this a tradition!

And we had visits from our neighbors who brought a fresh batch of REAL egg nog (w/ the nog). Which was awesome - thanks Smith's. This is little Myles.

Here is our "just before Christmas morning" haul. You know because it isn't about the presents.

Darren's enthusiasm for Christmas kept us all going... and going.... and going.....

(and yes that is a Canuck hat on Jack - we got our annual dose of Canada gear) Granny w/ Jack

Grandma & Grandpa

Christmas Dinner (minus the photographer Darren)

This year began what will be known as the LEGO YEARS.

This year in addition to our in-town family we had the pleasure of Grandma Net & Grandpa Peter joining us from Calgary.

And a Merry time was had by all. Now off to the New Year's celebrations!

Jingle Bell Rock

Jingle Bell Rock - a family favorite

It ended when Jack smacked Calvin on the head......

Kindergarten Christmas Party

Today was Oscar's Kindergarten's Christmas party. Super fun. They got to decorate an ornament, make a gingerbread boy or girl. Decorate (and eat) a cookie. It was a fun time had by all.

Christmas Time

As you can imagine with three little kids and two not so little ones.... Christmas time around the Lewis house is HUGE. We love it. Everything about it. The music, the decorating, the cooking and baking, the TRUE meaning of Christmas, the cheer. It is awesome.

There is always plenty of baking and cookie exchanges. The boys love to help - no shock since they get to have plenty of tastes...... Darren & I were lucky enough to be at the right place at the right time to see a flash mob. We noticed that most of the people at Pioneer mall were "frozen" in place. There was a snow machine on the 3rd level... then one by one they burst into song. It was cool to see.

And our tree.... we all decorated together & had a super fun time doing it!

Two more weeks to go. Two more weeks of fun! More posts to follow.....

Happy 6th Birthday Oscar!!!!

Oscar turns 6 today. SIX. I can't believe it has been 6 years since we met him. He is such a blessing to us all. So good to his brothers. So caring & kind. So smart. So cute. So responsible. So brave. So sensitive. So curious. Such a little boy.



Happy Birthday sweet Oscar!

Family Bowling Night

We went to Hollywood Bowl tonight. It was the boys first time bowling FOR REAL (not on Wii). It was SUPER fun. Even w/ Calvin running a fever of 102 he rallied & had a lot of fun. Darren taught Calvin the proper way..... (he's been perfecting this way for years) ;-)

Silly bowling faces!

Good family times!

And pizza after!

Trick or Treat!

This year we have a Fireman, a Knight & a Football player! Trick or Treat. It was a perfect night for trick or treating.

Jack was totally into it....

Pumpkin Carving

The past few years we've painted pumpkins but this year we CARVED. We had a ton of fun!

All my boys...

Darren is the best playstructure we've found for the boys. All he needs to do is to lay on the ground to "rest" and all 3 boys jump on him for wrestling time. They all laugh & have a great time. Here are some cute shots!

Pumpkin Patch Field Trip

Oscar's Kindergarten took a field trip to the Pumpkin Patch today. It was SO much fun. Almost fun overload. He got to take his first ride EVER in a school bus. The weather couldn't have been better. Bright sunshine. Ahhh fall.

Thankfully Farmer Don drove us all to a "pumpkin pie" pumpkin patch. Otherwise the kids would have picked pumpkins too heavy for the mommies.

Hayride!

Here is his class w/ his adorable & sweet teacher.

Oscar

Oscar, sweet Oscar.

At home Oscar is the oldest - he's 5 (and 3/4) after all. We expect a lot from him. To be a "big boy" - whatever that is. To do his chores. To not whine. To do what he's told - quickly. To look out for his brothers.

He started Kindergarten this year. When I drop him off - he hops out of the mini van into a sea of K-8th graders all milling about before they are led inside. He looks so small. I always wish I had hugged him one more time as I watch him bravely walk into the crowd of kids. I want to follow him everywhere & protect him from the scary parts of life.

It is amazing to me how context can change everything. I need to remember when he's home he's just a kid and when he's out in the world he's a big boy - not the other way around.

House For Sale

Well it's been 3 weeks & still no offer so I thought I'd resort to a blog post....

4 bed, 2 bath. 2800sqft. Walk to MAX, Park, Trendy shops. Want to see more? CLICK HERE

Zerbert Lessons

Calvin

Don't get me wrong.

I really do think all my kids are cute. Oscar is adorable w/ his red hair. Jack is the happiest little kid I've ever seen & so cute I want to squish him.

But Calvin is different.... almost "dreamy" cute. By birth order he got the short stick... the middle of 3 boys. But God sure blessed him w/ a way about him that is just soooo cute. I already feel sorry for all the little girls in his future who swoon when he looks at them w/ his GIANT almost black eyes.