New Year's Day

New Year's eve was a quite one for us as I think the last time I looked at the clock was 11:09 pm. So we brought in the New Year sound asleep peacefully!! New Year's Day we were invited to Ron and Connie's for another delicious turkey dinner. After dinner the boys got to open their Christmas gifts from Grandpa and Grandma as we weren't together for Christmas day.

My very own 5420 loader tractor Jaren!!

Showing off their new additions to the tractor family!

Where's Jaren?

Socks?? :)

We wish everyone a Happy New Year in 2010!!

Happy Sabbath!

Landen and Jaren sporting their new shirts they got for Christmas from Scott and Patricia!!! Thanks, the boys looked soo handsome!

Heading Home

We had a quick moment for a stretch and photo at the Vancouver airport. Since Vancouver is hosting the 2010 Winter Olympics there was quite a bit of advertising for it and this was one of the things there that Jaren quite enjoyed looking through. We headed back to Alberta to then be part of the Letniak Christmas and get ready for a houseful of company. Once those pictures are compiled from everyone I'll put up posts of our events with that clan!!

Boxing Day

Boxing Day we headed out to the McMynn's cabin at the lake to enjoy some time on the ice that they had cleared off. It was a GORGEOUS day and so nice to be outside in it. The kids had a good time playing in the snow and trying to keep upright on the ice! :)

Me and my little boy!

I'm REALLY not enjoying this!!! Give me a tractor!

Grandma and Jaren

Loving the Great Outdoors!

Auntie Randi and Landen enjoying the hockey from a distance

Picture Perfect

Me and my BFF Jenn!! ;)

Friends, Mike and Laura from Calgary

Dad and Landen

Christmas Day

Make a Smilebox slideshow

There were just WAY too many pictures to pick from such a special day so I compiled them into a slide show. Enjoy if you decide to watch it!

Christmas Eve at Sparks'

Christmas eve we spent at my Aunt Faye's and Uncle Walter's house to have a visit with some of the Sparks. They traditionally have a very large houseful of people on Christmas eve and this year was no different!! It was so good to see everyone.

Auntie Faye and Mom

Trent, Rob, and Kevin

Men in Black!

Jaren looking for someone to open his new remote control cement truck from Uncle Walter and Auntie Faye!! Thanks again for everything, it was great to see you guys!

Christmas Eve Day

At the end of November my grandmother was finally moved into a seniors home which has been quite a big (but good) change for her so far. On Christmas Eve Day we all went up and spent the afternoon with her, it was great for her as well as for many of the other residents who just love watching kids and interacting with them. Randi also brought her little dog Kaylay who was loved by many that day as well.

Landen putting on his usual charm

Santa even showed up for a visit that afternoon before he was to deliver his gifts that night. So Jaren was tickled to be able to help him hand out cute teddy bears to each of the residents in the lodge.

Landen and his buddy Kaylay - two little posers!

Visiting with Grandma

Randi and Kaylay

Sitting with Santa

Grandma Hovland with her new bear from Santa

Cheeeeeese!

We didn't even try to see Santa this year in the mall as this is what I expected would happen!! Landen was not impressed to be close to this bearded guy at all!!! So different than his brother!

Jaren's 1st Time Skiing

One day we decided to take Jaren for his first venture skiing at Shames Mtn which is about 40 minutes outside of Terrace. The view of the valley from Shames Mtn.

Mommy waiting patiently for her little skier to warm up with his hot chocolate. Picture courtesy of Jaren.

Posing with his ski boots

Playtime in the snow

Here we go!!

He did very well with his balance but he's just got to learn to turn and snowplow. Thank goodness there was a snow fence to catch him after he gained his speed :)

Having such a good time!

Getting ready to go up the bunny hill. He went down the bunny hill twice with Daddy and then he decided that he wanted to go up the "big" chair and try a real run!

Warming up with a well-deserved hot chocolate.

The Start of Christmas Holidays

On Dec 17th we boarded our plane to head to the province of Beautiful British Columbia to spend 10 days with the Sparks/Hovland clan for Christmas. Due to weather we were unable to arrive in Terrace that night so we had an unexpected stay in Vancouver, BC and headed once again to Terrace on the morning of the 18th. Needless to say we were VERY glad to finally arrive. My sister and Trent (her fiance) also arrived there on the 18th safely. So we had a good 'ol fashioned Christmas almost like the ones I remembered many years ago. We loved it!!

Waiting patiently for our plane in Calgary

On Sabbath Jaren (& Landen) got to be part of a "well rehearsed" performance for the Christmas musical. Jaren made the best donkey ever!! So here the kids are practicing before the big debut!

One evening my cousin Heather opened up her house to have all the Hovland clan get together for a wonderful meal and some good laughs. There is NEVER a dull moment with my uncles around! This is my Uncle Earl with someones crazy glasses.

Uncle Allan challenging Jaren to a boxing match.

The two pregos!! Cousins, Heather and Randi are both pregnant and due within about 9 days of each other. Heather is due at the end of January and Randi's due date is February 9th! So the family gatherings just keep getting bigger each year!!