Christmas 2006 Photos

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

Merry Christmas from our house to yours!! We are spending Christmas Day at home this year, and I think I could get used to this! Everything is so relaxed - no rushing around. It's quite nice.

We had our turkey dinner last night, and for my first bird - I have to say it turned out pretty good!! Yum!! Today we're having the leftovers and tomorrow morning we leave for Regina.

2006 has been good to us. The year was busy - but fun!!

In January I was promoted to Specialist at my work, this is an entry level management position and while challenging - I find it to be extremely rewarding as well. I really enjoy each and every one of my co-workers and couldn't have a better work environment.

In May Allan went to a Design/Build studio in Minnedosa where he helped in designing & building a park and developing the school grounds of the local Elementary school, he had a lot of fun on the project and was recognized for his hard work.


While Allan was in Minnedosa, the girls and I spent a week in Regina, had lots of fun!!

Allan spent the summer working in Saskatoon at Stantec - an Architectural firm. He had a great time and learned a lot. His work was even on the front page of the Saskatoon Star Pheonix in November.



Allan came home every weekend in the summer, as well as we had lots of help from his family. Jennifer and Haylee came out for a week, Joan came out for a week and Laura came out for a week. Then Madison spent the last week of the summer in Saskatchewan at Granny & Grandpa's cabin. We couldn't have survived the summer without you guys!!

In September Madison started Kindergarten! She absolutely loves it! Her teacher is wonderful which helps a lot. Madison is already reading about 20 words and can sound out even more.

In November Allan received an extremely large bursary which paid off his Manitoba Student Loan. *phew* What a load off of our shoulders!

Allan also won 3rd place in a Design competition for Barkman Concrete last month.

Annika is doing great - very outgoing and friendly. She loves to sing and surprises us with all of the songs she knows. It seems like she only needs to hear something once to commit it to memory.

We are looking forward to 2007 and what it will bring. Allan graduates this year - which is exciting on its own!

Happy Holidays,

Love Sarah, Allan, Madison and Annika

Saskatoon vs. Winnipeg - Take 1

What $169,000 will buy you in Saskatoon.

Beautiful 1800 sq ft. two storey Open Concept, Kitchen/Dining with island, upgraded kitchen and trim package throughout, 3 bathrooms, professionally finished basement, excellent street appeal.

In a neighbourhood I would want to live in I must add!







What $165,000 will buy you in Winnipeg.

Just move in and enjoy this unique 1 1/2 stry home in River Park South close to all conveniences including schools and parks. Main floor features large living room or could be combination living-dining room, spacious eat in kitchen with oak cabinets plus built in dishwasher, closet and 4 pce ensuite, upstairs, with 2 bedrooms and 4 pce bathroom. Full basement is unfinished and awaits your finishing touches. Extra's include central air, shed, garden area, apple tree, patio area, fenced yard & 2 car parking.

Again, in a neighbourhood I would want to live in.

The Holiday

Last night I went to see The Holiday with Anita and Rebecca.

The movie seemed promising, with a great cast of Cameron Diaz, Kate Winslet, Jude Law and Jack Black. It's about two woman who are trying to get over past boyfriends and find themselves in the real world. They decide to switch homes over Christmas in hopes to not feel lonely having nobody to share the holidays with.

The movie was good, it really was. A good tear jerker of a film. However - so many parts just did NOT make sense. Without ruining the film for those who haven't seen it, Olivia and Sophie having their own telephone numbers, really? Staying at his sister's after nights out at the pub a few times a week?? Driving in the car for 3 minutes and then having to run across the town for 30 minutes when you get out??

Maybe I am putting too much thought into what was a good movie. But many parts just did not make sense!

If you see it - let me know what you think!

Jobs, Jobs, Everywhere!

Allan received his second job offer today.

Three months away from being finished with classes, about 9 months away from being finished his Thesis and done with school COMPLETELY and he already has two firms wanting him when he's done.

Thank God the past six years of University have paid off.

Madison's Parent Teacher Interview

Yesterday was Madison's first Parent Teacher Interview. Well, I guess it was Allan and my's first Parent Teacher Interview, not Madison's. But, it was about Madison, and it was great!

She is right on track, if not a bit ahead, with the rest of her class. She can write her name, write all of the letters A-Z and numbers 1-10. She can count to 100 and pick any letter out of the alphabet. She can write about 10 words and can read around 25.

We got to see the things that she has been doing this year in school - wow, what an eye opener! I really am old ROFL!

One thing was the self portrait that they drew of themselves in September. In June they will draw another beside and compare how they've changed in skill, like drawing fingers, etc.

Well - I can remember doing this in Kindergarten MYSELF and now my DAUGHTER is doing it. Wow!

Allan was a bit worried about her shyness but the teacher says she always volunteers answers and asks questions and is very involved with her peers. Daycare has definitely done her a lot of good. When she started Daycare in September 2005 she wouldn't talk to the teachers at all. She would talk to 1 or 2 kids and that was it!

Tuesday is the Christmas Concert - I can't wait!!

Sarah

The Holidays are here!!

We had a weekend full of Christmas parties!!

Friday night was the Children's Christmas Party for Canwest. It was held at the Children's Museum and was a lot of fun. (And a lot of work to organize!!!)
The girls had a blast though, and that's all that mattered!!
Annika got a jumbo Dora and Madison got a My Little Pony and a Littlest Pet Shop set.

Saturday I held a Christmas Party for a bunch of girlfriends from a Mom's group that I am in. We had a lot of great food, drinks and company. We also did a Secret Santa exchange. I recieved a watch, necklace and fuzzy socks!

Sunday Madison had dance and then we took the girls swimming. At first Annika was terrified of the water but she quickly warmed up and was a regular old fish. We're going to go again soon.

We will be in Regina over Christmas, from December 26 to January 3rd. So if you'll be around drop us a line! We'd love to visit.

Sarah

Great Deals for Canucks

I found this really great blog that has tons of freebies and discounts available to Canadians.

Bookmark it and check back often!

http://www.smartcanucks.ca/

Christmas List

Here are our Christmas Wish Lists

Sarah
-Scented Oil Burner from the Body Shop
-Fireside & Marshmellow scented oils from the Body Shop
-Dishes (solid colour, deep purple, black, cranberry)
-Serving dishes (solid colour, deep purple, black, cranberry, hunter green)
-Red toss pillows for couch
-Tassimo coffee maker
-Gift Certiifcates for Rickis, Reitmans, Giselles, Shoe Company, HBC, Sport Chek or The Running Room.
-Angel perfume by Thierry Mugler (Available at The Bay)
-Wicker baskets (medium in size for on top of hall closet)
-Glass dessert bowls
-Martini shaker
-Martini glasses
-Coffee maker with timer
-Baileys Mint Chocolate chip
-Baileys Caramel

Allan
-Battary and Charger for camera (Battary goes into charger and plugs into wall, it's a kit. Our camera is the Kodak EasyShare DX4530)
-Subscription to Landscape Architecture magazine, not to be confused with Landscape Architect.
-Blue and White 3in1 jacket from Superstore, it was something like $59 dollars.
-Pocket watch

Allan and Sarah
-Costco membership
-Water Cooler (especially one that dispences hot and cold water.

Madison
-Barbie and the 12 Dancing Princesses dolls and accessories. (We bought Princess Genavieve)
-Bratz dolls and accessories
-Build a Bear giftcard
-Disney Princess Monopoly Junior
-Skirts and dresses (Size 6)
-Warm tights
-Pajamas (size 6)
-Makeup
-Lip gloss
-Craft Kits

Annika
-Dora the Explorer Shopping Cart (Toys R Us)
-Anything Dora the Explorer
-Anything Backyardigans
-Colouring books
-Build a Bear giftcard
-Pajamas size 3

Videos

Here are some videos from Madison's dance class.


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Dance Class - Click any image to see full size!

When I grow up ...

I want to be Mommy!!

Madison was dressing up in my jacket and Allan snapped a few pics!

Carving Halloween Pumpkins

A True Princess

Annika was locked in the dungeon this morning. (Well, if a warm, comfortable bedroom full of toys can be considered a dungeon.)

I was woken at 8:00am by Madison shouting "Annika's stuck in her room!"! Not on my top 10 list of ways to be woken up...

The doorknob on the bedroom door had a lock on the back, but it was broken and *really* hard to lock (I couldn't do it without a lot of effort) so we never bothered to take it off. Guess what? Annika's middle name is Houdini. She managed to get it locked and because it's the kind of lock that takes a key, there was no getting that thing open.

Allan convinced Annika to go and sit on her bed. (Far away from the door!) and then used a sledgehammer to get the damn doorknob off. Thankfully the door stayed fully intact. (He was a little too quick at it if you ask me, I wonder if he has any experience in break and enters ......)

Within ten minutes the princess was out of her dungeon and free to sit on her royal throne (the couch) and watch the court jesters (aka The Backyardigans).

Again, not my favourite way to wake up.

Another Weekend Come and Gone!

We had a busy weekend, but a great one!!

Saturday was our 2nd Annual Halloween Party!! I think we had around 15 kids and 7 adults. A little crowded, but a lot of fun!! Unfortunatly I forgot to take pictures, sorry!

The house was full of princesses, tinman, scarecrow, monkey, minnie mouse, spiderman, Mr. Incredible, a unicorn, the list goes on ...

Saturday evening Merina came over to babysit and Allan and I went to Applebees for dinner (mmm!!) and then to see Man of the Year. (Great movie btw- very funny!) After that we went to the LC and bought the new Baileys Mint Chocolate liquor. Wow - sooo good!

Today Madison had dance and then we went to Boo at the Zoo. We've never been before but would definitely go again. Great weather, the lines weren't too long (they had pony rides, a Merry Go'Round, etc.)

All in all, a great weekend!! We're looking forward to Halloween and pumpkin carving tomorrow.

Pepsi Gods - Smile on me ...

I have been entering the Pepsi Giveaway every hour for the past 2 weeks. Well, it feels like every hour!! I think I counted 160 entries so far. I still haven't won (obviously) but am praying the Pepsi Gods will smile down on me and send an Xbox (or even better a 40" HDTV) my way.

www.wineveryhour.ca if you don't know what the heck I'm talking about!

Yesterday I drove to Fargo with 3 girlfriends of mine. We had a blast!! The shopping .. ooh boy, why don't we have some of those stores? (Oh yah - because I'd be bankrupt!)

I think Allan and I are going to go back and do our Christmas shopping there, or maybe just in Grand Forks. The savings are unreal. We planned on getting Annika the Dora van and Dora cash register for Christmas. Well, the van here is $40, at Walmart in Fargo it is $18! The cash register is $60 here and $40 there!! It's insane. The Barbies Madison wants are $29 here and $14.99 there!

So yes - I'll be making another trip down South before Christmas.

I am fighting a nasty cold, as are the girls. We all seem to be losing the battle. Blah. It sucks because we have a busy week ahead of us. No time to be sick!! Saturday is our Halloween Party, and then Allan and I are going out for a date night. Sunday is Boo at the Zoo and of course Tuesday is Halloween.

I have officially started Slimfast. Wish me well! I have a Weight Loss blog, if you're interested send me an email and I'll send you the link.

Ciao,

Sarah

Movie Review

Last night I went to see The Departed. It is an excellent movie - the ending was a bit disappointing, kind of like they thought "wow- this movie is 2 and a half hours long, we better end it quick!" and there were a few scenes that seemed important at the time, but were never brought into the story line again. However, overall I really enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone.

If you see it - let me know what you think!!

My Wins

I've had a 3 small wins lately .. nothing big, but better than nothing at all!

1- Lipgloss from Lou Lou magazine
2- 2 ringtones from playatmcd.ca

Happy Contesting!

Walking in a Winter Wonderland

This afternoon Allan, Annika and I went to Walmart to buy the girls winter wear. I know from experience that if you wait until the first snowfall, all that is left is really big fugly gloves and mis-matched boots.

So, we bought Madison a pair of boots, toque and gloves. (Barbie and the 12 Dancing Princesses ... this princess would have no other!) and Annika a pair of boots and mitts. (Nothing but Dora for this little explorer!)

Apparantly it was a bad omen - because no less than 2 hours later it was snowing, and snowing HARD!!

At least we're prepared ... though I would be more than happy to see the snow melt and not come back for another month.

Happy Turkey Day

We are leaving for Regina early tomorrow morning. I haven't been to Regina since May, so I am excited to go and see everyone.

Have a *wonderful* Thanksgiving everyone!!

10 Things I am Thankful for ...

1- My family
2- My friends
3- Our health
4- A job that I love
5- Allan being 8 months away from his Masters degree!!
6- Having friends and/or contacts in high (retail) places who get me awesome discounts
7- Finally having the motivation and discipline to lose weight once and for all.
8- A great new season of Grey's Anatomy
9- Wonderful neighbours who do my yardwork
10- Allan being 8 months away from his Masters degree!! (This deserves two spots - it has been a loooong 7 years people!)