Merry Christmas!

Here are some pictures from our tree hunting adventure on Saturday. Due to Brian being away and the chilly weather, we didn't have a chance to get the tree until 4 days before Christmas. But we have been enjoying it very much ever since. :)

Here we are driving up snowy Mount Scio. This is less than 10 minutes from our house!

Bronwen figuring out how to walk in the deep snow. Our kids are lucky to inherit a series of red MEC snowsuits from their Prince George cousins.. thanks Krista! :)

Superdad cuts down the tree, then carries back heavy tree and heavy toddler through deep snow. The logistics of getting a tree with a baby and toddler are a bit tricky but we figured it out. :)

Investigating the new decor

Bronwen loves to take decorations on and off

Making pecan and butter tarts

Little guy likes the tree too!

And back to the tarts in the oven...

More pictures to come from our Christmas celebrations :)

Come and worship, come and worship, Worship Christ the newborn King!

December has begun

It's about time I posted again! It's been a little busy around here... and I haven't really felt like writing much, to be honest. It started out with a nasty cold that knocked all of us off our feet- toddlers have no concept of infection control and it quickly spread to 3 out of 4 of us. John was spared.. the only answer I have for that is the antibodies in breastmilk must really and truly be there, given the amount of times Bronwen gave him snotty, sloppery kisses and coughed and sneezed directly in his little face. And poked his eyes. Yes.

December is upon us and I am enjoying the holiday season so far. We are playing it low key this year, with nowhere to go but stay home in our cozy little house. While some may feel it rather unfortunate to have the closest family 3200 km away at Christmastime (and it would be great to see them, of course)- I am looking forward to a quiet and simple celebration with just the 4 of us. This weekend we're planning to go chop down a tree somewhere (weather permitting), and the Christmas baking has already started. There's a delicious fruitcake aging in our fridge right now, and some gingerbread dough all ready to be rolled out, yum!

This past Sunday we had John's dedication at our church. For those unfamiliar with such practices, it's where he is 'officially' welcomed into our church family.. but more importantly, where we dedicate him to God and promise to raise him to know about our faith. In the hope that one day, he will turn around and make his own choice to follow Christ. We are very thankful for our church family at Mosaic, they truly are like family to us. They love our kids too.. there's always someone to hold them and play with them and have a bit of fun!

We also went to an Advent service last Sunday, which was a great way to start off the Christmas season. The Newfoundland International Gospel choir sang a couple of songs.. wow, can they ever sing!

Brian will likely be gone for 5 days next week, doing fieldwork in northern Newfoundland. The prospect of being alone with the kids is not quite as daunting as it was when John was 6 weeks old, but I'll still be glad when he's back.

John with one of his friends at church

up front with our squirmy kids

prayer of blessing

ps- a few more pics on my other blog!

Easter Weekend (part of it) in pictures

Despite the weather, we enjoyed a lovely Easter here in St. John's. 

Here is my family watching a show.. Bronwen was pretty relaxed. She likes the Amazing Race just like her dad and grandma.

This is the weather which we woke up to on Good Friday. It snowed all day.

I made hot cross buns as has become a tradition at our house. Bronwen helped me.

Dough rising in the oven.

Sleepy morning face!

The finished product. Unfortunately the plastic wrap which was covering them stuck to the rising buns (even though I oiled it :(. So they were a bit flat.. but still delicious.

Good Friday breakfast.. hot cross buns and coffee! (and nice Easter cards on the table :)

Easter treats from our neighbours, watching the weather while they still can.


Our Easter ham made by Brian... glazed with homemade marmalade.

 Getting the broth ready... yum!

We had some friends over for ham on Friday night. Sunday was very cold and windy, but we made it to church to celebrate the resurrection... He is Risen! We spent the day cozy inside and celebrated with some friends from church and school for dinner on Sunday night.

This Easter Sunday I thought a lot of my family in Ontario... it would have been my cousin Chelsea's 24th birthday on that day. It seemed significant that the first year she was not on earth to celebrate her birthday, her birthday was on Easter Sunday. Jesus left the tomb and death was conquered. Chelsea is in heaven because of the resurrection. We have hope because of Easter... because of Jesus.