Christmas 2012

Travelled to Perth to finally see some real snow for Christmas.  Heather wanted a nice photo of Finn, one that wasn't blurry, so we slowed him down by burying him in a pile of snow.  The kids had a blast and even a brief visit from their cousins who stopped on their way home during a snow storm.  Winter has arrived!

The tree 2012

After waiting weeks and weeks for snow we gave up and decided to cut down our Christmas tree "in the green".  It was a chilly and sometimes rainy day, but we managed to select the perfect specimen.  The kids enjoyed sneaking many many cookies while we attached the tree to the car!

Finn's snowflake concert 2012

Dressed up and full of sugar treats after Finn's cello Christmas cello concert 2012.  Tabi was especially excited as one of the ushers called her an angel!

Some snow!

December 1st.  We finally get some snow.  The kids rush out and try to make a snow man.  It melts by the next morning leaving behind only a carrot nose.

Santa Claus parade 2012

Although it took place November 18, it was so hot and sunny for the Guelph 2012 Santa Claus parade that we all took off our coats while we waited for the big man to arrive.  Finn invited his friend Kyann to watch the parade with us and chow down on some hot apple cider and popcorn.

 Hugging Scooby!

The kids were especially excited by this float.  The house seen here was painted by kids who visited the Children's Art factory the week before - including Finn and Tabs!  Most of their handiwork was inside, but you can seen glimpses of their brush work if you zoom in really close.......

Cello recital

Finn has been working so hard at his cello.  For his recital this year he played Go Tell Aunt Rhody.  He was great.  Mum was more nervous than he was.

Finn playing Go tell Aunt Rhody

The Royal Agricultural Winter Fair 2012

This year Andrew was asked to judge the 4H club corn entries at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair.  Since he had a free pass, we decided to head into Toronto to check it out as a family.  The kids loved visiting with the animals and checking out the Super Dogs show.  The corn exhibit which Andrew had judged was more "interesting" than exciting.

Halloween 2012

We were lucky this year and were able to attend "Stormy's Halloween storm game" the Saturday before Halloween.  The kids got to try out their costumes and watch the Storm score a few goals!  The main event was preceded by pumpkin carving and face painting.  Tabitha chose to go as  princess (so it begins......) and Finn help design his zombie costume (a soccer player who had been trampled then turned into a Zombie.  As with other years Andrew and the kids headed up and down the street hitting up our Oliver St. neighbours for some treats.

Family photos

We climbed up the "100 steps" to recreate this photo.

Also decided to include Mum after reading this article.

The titan arum was blooming in the greenhouse at U of G so we decided to take a family photo before heading out for a nice meal at a french restaurant.

Tiger boys open house

Guelph has an airport- Who knew?  Every year the "tiger boys" as they like to call themselves host an open house.  The tiger boys are a group of airplane enthusiasts who collect airplanes.  Not model airplanes, FULL SIZE airplanes.  The kids enjoyed watching them take off and land and checking out these fun kids size airplanes.

First day of preschool

Off to preschool!
Tabby is heading off to "La garderie de l'arc-en-ciel" for her first day of preschool.  It is the same french preschool that Finn went to when he was three.  Tabby's first day went super!  So crying at all.  She had a great time and made some friends - already!

First Day of School- Grade 1

A beautiful fall day.  A perfect day to start grade 1!

RibFest 2012

Had a great time at Ribfest this year.  Met Melody and Alan the lion (friends of Music with Brian), Finn reluctantly took a photo with 2 of the Guelph Storm ( he loves the team but suddenly got a bit shy once the boys had kneeled down for the photo), and ate some messy ribs!

Tabby's 3rd birthday

Sweet little Tabby is 3!  She is becoming a very independent little girl.  Still loves her big brother and wants to do everything he does.  She can ride her trike like a pro and loves greens (eats kale raw).  Still working on saying her "t's", and "r's" and "s's".  Just like her brother at 3 she will start preschool in the fall.  She's not sure about leaving Mummy to venture out into the world.  Says she never wants to turn 4.

Soccer 2012

Finn's summer soccer team 2012 - Team Black!  This year Andrew was an assistant coach and ended up running most of the games and warm ups.  Finn did so well he was asked back to soccer mini-school- a prep program for the rep league.

Finn's 6th Birthday

Holy Batman.  Finn is 6!  What a vibrant, enthusiastic, impulsive, active little boy.  Not much has changed since he was little.  Getting smarter, and stronger by the day, he still loves being silly and playing the fool.  Loves his cars, trucks, comics, lego, books and puzzles.  Can now put together most lego designs on his own.  Swimming is also coming along.  Front glide with kick and sometimes back float on his own.  Enjoys the water more and more.   Tabby still loves to follow him around and copy him, which can annoy and frustrate Finn.  Tabby and Finn are finding more and more things to compete over "that dump truck is on my side of car" oh boy.......Loves, loves, loves running, jumping, biking, climbing, and bathroom words!  Trying out some "adult" language and seeing what power it has.  Reading is getting better and better.  He has even read a few books all on his own to his sister.  This year on his birthday we had an ice cream cake of his creation:  red velvet ice cream with mini peach slice candy mix ins decorated with gummy bears.  Yum?  Mum and Dad gave him a PaperJamz electric guitar and amp with which he loved rockin' out.  Nana and Poppa gave him a camera, which he took lots of pictures on and then erased all of them.  He loves the camera and has taken a few really nice shots, and even uploaded them to the computer before erasing them.

Red Pine 2012

I hadn't been up to Red Pine since being on staff in 1992.  20 years!!!! That's a long time.  Wasn't quite sure what to expect.  We were in cabin 12A.  In the grove, behind the paddle tennis courts.  We were next to a nice family who had a son Luke (Finn's age) and an older daughter in LIT (teenager).  We were seated at table 35 with the Menna family who have been coming to Red Pine with their 2 kids for about 10 years.  Freddie (a girl) was 6, and Sam was 8ish.  Freddie and Tabs got along really well and played together at the final dance.  Both Tabs and Finn were a bit apprehensive about the JP program and each day complained about not wanting to go.  In the end they both loved it and made a number of friends.  Finn met one girl "Darquise" with whom he had quite a special bond.  The kids loved camp and were both sad to leave.  We took a little detour on our was home and visited with the Burt Sr.'s for a night.  As luck would have it, the Maholtra-Burt children were headed their way and we managed to get some quality cousin time in before heading home.

 Following the flames to folklore night

 Flag cheek

 At the beach

 Swimming with the noodle

 Family outside 12A with our "whites" on in preparation for banquet night

 Darquise and Finn attempt to capture a friendly chipmunk

 Had they caught one, they were planning on reading it "Curious George"

 At the playground on the cool teeter-toter/balance beam

Tabs on her beloved "baby swing".  Which she was obsessed with and would spend much time in.

Parsley worm

We found 2 parsley worms on ....you guessed it, our parsley plants.  The kids are really into bugs lately.  And after the last two caterpillars met unfortunate ends we thought these might do as great replacements.  One of the caterpillars attempted to turn into a chrysalis and failed - meeting it's unfortunate end.  The other performed spectacularly and one day Finn wok up from his nap and a butterfly had emerged!  Very exciting.

Last Day of School

First Day and Last Day photos: