PIC OF THE WEEK: Sky

While we were in the process of picking our Christmas tree this year, I accidentally pushed the camera button while trying to juggle between taking pictures and helping Jethro and Beata get up from falling in the snow.  To my surprise, here's what the camera took -- a view of the great sky that day.  Made me stop and thank God for that lovely day. 

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O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree

It's that time of the year.  Time to get a Christmas tree.  It's just our third time to do this but I was really looking forward to it.  We went to Horton's Magic Hill Farm (Taylor Tree Farm closed so we went here instead) and it was great.  They have a hill for sleds, tractor ride, playground for kids (though a bit covered in snow; but still fun) and the treat shop where we enjoyed some hot chocolate and gingerbread cookies.  It was a mild weather so ended up spending 2 hours there.  It took us a long time to find my "perfect" tree but that's okay.  We enjoyed playing with the snow while we were hiking.  There was a little disappointment coz hubby did not dress "properly" for the activity but...that's okay.  He was sorry.  I love you, honey.  We will definitely go back here next year.  Now if I can only finish decorating our Christmas tree.  Hhhhmmmm!

The (long) process of finding the "perfect" tree.

(dried) flowers for mommy.  awwww!

Our tree (above) and the kids (below) fascinated by the machine. :D

Whoa!  My strong man!  lol.

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Our Full day Friday!

Raymond is now 31!  I am always kidding him that I am older than him (by four months) therefore wiser but then the first to go to Heaven.  Now we are both 31.  He celebrated his birthday last Friday, November 28.  He stayed home (mainly beacuse I need him to look after Jakob and Jethro -- story to follow!) and we ate a BIG dinner at Imperial Palace.  For all of you who knows Imperial Palace, you know it's all-you-can-eat and that's exactly what we did.  :D  The server was very kind to honour our 2 for 1 dinner coupon plus free birthday meal for the birthday boy.  We enjoyed it a lot - specially the "butter"fly shrimps ("butter" because they put a lot of garlic butter hence delicioso!).  Right, hun?  Even Beata ate a lot considering her event that day (read next paragraph).  Saturday night, I invited his immediate family for dinner (and a last minute invite to all his realtives which did not turn out well coz only one family came; so the lesson learned -- plan ahead! haha!).  But even though we were not that many, we had a good time (proof: our guests left at midnight).  We were rushing today for church coz everybody was still sleepy but we made it on time!

Now for the other story.  It was Beata day to get a "princess crown" for her tooth.  We were at the dental office at 8 am until about 11 am.  She has this big cavity.  The dentist said it was weird coz all her other teeth were ok, no cavities except for this one.  Usually it's either little cavities here and there or one big cavity and a small one beside that.  So they gave her a medication to drink, waited one hour than they did the procedure.  She wore a mask for the laughing gas (no pics this time -- I forgot the camera!  bad mama!).  And thank God, everything went well.  She ate soft noodles for lunch, no other complaint of pain and she even ate well at the dinner buffet.  She loves her "shiny tooth".  She would even ask me every now and then if the shiny tooth is still in her mouth; she said she doesn't want to lose it :)  I am glad she's okay.  I was the one who's actually nervous the day before the procedure that I even want to cancel it and ask another dentist for a second opinion.  LOL. 

All in all, a full but fun Friday. 

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WEDNESDAY re-WIND: Raymond's younger days

Raymond with his new toy train (back in his younger days).  He'll celebrate his birthday this Friday, so this rewind is for you, Honey!

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We're a decade!

10 years!  Wow!  Can't believe we've been married fro 10 years.  Time flies so fast.  10 years passed but it seems like only yesterday when I said "I do".  10 years married; 14 years acquainted.  We thank the Lord for blessing us through our 10 years.  We can't wait to see what else He will do!

To celebrate, we went to Niagara Falls for two days and one night.  Kids stayed at home with my sister (who they really adore, so no worries leaving them with her, though Beata was a bit dramatic days before we leave but could not wait for us to leave come Friday).  We enjoyed every minute of being together (alone).  We dined at fine restaurants, we played at Midway, we rode the Skywheel, drove by the Falls at night, crossed the border for the first time (almost got into trouble when we parked the car before proceeding to go :P).  It was an amazing time!  The most memorable days of our married life.  Thanks, Raymond.  I love you so much!

Day one.  Walking around; here by the Heshey's Chocolate Factory near the US bridge

Dinner at the Keg overlooking the Falls (and it's beauty at night!)

Rode the Skywheel (we were nervous and scared at first but it was awesome!)

Cliffton Hill

Him and me (being us!)

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"This is fun, Mom!"

Raymond and I are going away this weekend for our 10th year wedding anniversary.  Since we will not be with the kids for our weekly Friday Family Night, we decided to do it yesterday and bring them to Chuck E. Cheese's (since it was a hit when we went there for Jakob's birthday).  It was a good time; not a lot of people.  We purchased 75 tokens and food (way too much food, I should say.  I ordered too much food to eat for one sitting that's why we have lots of leftover pizza to take home. 

You can just see the fun and excitement in my kiddos faces as they move from one game to another.  Jakob can't contain it, he said, "This is fun. mom!"  Glad they enjoyed it.  It was so cold outside but my kids all have red cheeks from runnning and playing for 2 hours. 

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WEDNESDAY re-WIND: November 22, 1998

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PIC OF THE WEEK: Our Squirrel Friend

Look at how close Beata nd Jethro are in this picture. The squirrel did not mind that at all, he was too busy with the dried fruit that we gave him. :D

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Say "Aahhhhhhh"

Beata's official first visit to the dentist.  Usually, we take her with us in the room when we get our cleaning.  She doesn't seemed bothered by it, and she's already 4, so she should be visiting the dentist by now.  Last week, she slipped on our kitchen floor mouth first (ouch!).  A small bruise in her inner lip and a small cut on the lower gum.  As I was putting ice on the injury, I saw one of her molars with...cavities!  There is this black thing in her tooth and it does not look nice.  That's what you get when you're a candy and chocolate lover, and you don't regularly brush your teeth.  So I made an appointment for her to see the dentist yesterday.  She was not liking it at all.  She cried the whole time (but thankfully, she still listens to instructions from the hygienist).  She was holding my hands almost the whole time hence just one picture taken. 

I have to give credit to Jethro too for being patient (mostly) the whole time we were at the clinic.

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WEDNESDAY re-WIND: Zzzzzzzz Time!

Jakob and baby Beata sleeping on the couch back in our apartment days.  Jakob is taking his afternoon nap and Beata in the sleep mode of her newborn years.  Now, they don't want their feet touching when they are sleeping together (now with Jethro, too!).

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Sunday and Monday Recap

It was Missions Week in our church.  We thank the Lord so much for all the willing missionaries who will go and tell Jesus to people in other countries.  We cannot express enough how happy our hearts are.  I was able to be a blessing to the missionaries by being in the nursery Sunday morning.  I took a few pictures to remember these kids whose parents are faithful and willing to go out of their comfort zone and trust God as they go and tell the Gospel.  I was being a blessing but just the thought of these kids and their families, I was more blessed.

Monday, Raymond got off from work early.  I spent the rest of the afternoon in the mall with Beata and Jethro while Raymond took the van for an oil change.  He picked up Jakob and we met at the mall after; played for a few minutes then we head out for Jakob's skating lessons.  It's amazing how kids can be entertained at no cost at all!  We spent most of our time in the mall at Mastermind toys.  Toys.  Tons of toys.  And you know that that can make a child's day!  They are always fascinated by something new, something different.  They played and played with the model toys displayed at the store.  Even I was fascinated by all the toys (and its details).  They are expensive though; an afternoon playing with them for FREE is good enough for us. :D 

And of course, Raymond has to do something funny...

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PIC OF THE WEEK: Jethro's new haircut

It's time!  It's time for a haircut.  Not just trimming here and there, I mean a whole lot of hair is going.  We actually liked how he looks with his new do.  His hair is not as fine and as much as Jakob's so it was easier to cut but...he's very ticklish so we have to wrestle a bit.  I think he looks very "pogi", don't you think?

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WEDNESDAY re-WIND: Jakob's bad hair day!

Hahaha! Just trying on this funny wig :D

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Mr. Ray and his Balloon Art

It was Raymond's first day as a bus worker last Sunday. So excited! He's been waiting for a long time. Sunday came and he has a bad cold :( He did not want to pass the cold virus to the kids, but he did not want to miss the bus too. So , he decided to dress up as a doctor complete with the lab coat, stethoscope and face mask (his idea of containing the virus). He also equipped himself with twist balloons and pump for some balloon art for the bus kids (and do not forget the container of treats that both the bus kids and workers enjoyed!). They lovingly call hom Mr. Ray. He is already thinking of what he would dress up as next Sunday.
Sunday afternoon, I bought him a smaller pump and more balloons. He said he wanted to practice his art so he made our kiddos SOME(he actually used up half of his balloon pack already, so I have to buy him some more) on Monday night after supper. They love it! I love him! He is a great dad...and a funny one too!

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PIC OF THE WEEK: Jakob, Jethro and their lightsabers

Well, not really a lightsaber, just a mini glow light. :)

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Heaps of Leaves!!!

It's our 3rd annual Fall Yard Clean-up!
Bring out the rakes (and brushes, and shovels, and hockey sticks, and whatever you can find in the garage!). It was a lovely day so we got to spend a few minutes playing hockey while Raymond finish up putting all the leaves in the yard waste bags.
And of course, we have to get those annual Fall(Leaves) pictures where you have to jump on the leaves, bury yourself in leaves, throw the leaves in the air and the like :) Enjoy!

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Family Fun Friday

Friday is always or family fun night but lately we have not been able to do it coz of changes in schedule. Since we all wanted to get away from the craziness of October 31st, we decided to turn off all the lights (let the kids play with their glow lights), stay in the basement and have a picnic while watching a movie. We all enjoyed it! (though it's kind of hard to eat in the dark. I won't blame the kids for the mess coz I am sure we all left crumbs on the carpet and the couch).

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