a first of the year, non-new-years post

rare moments of apparent - dare i say it... love?!

A New Year's post will follow - I need to dedicate some time to recapping 2016 (so much happened!) and looking forward to the year that is just getting rolling, so I'll dedicate this post to Christmas and the events of the past week or so. As usual, Bowmanville and Grandma and Gramps (and Santa) have been so so good to us, and everyone has been spoiled with good food, presents, and (lots) more good food. Christmas went down something like this: we skipped school and arrived on the 23rd; on the 24th we had an early dinner and after an early evening church service (Steve stayed home with Hendrik - he was sick because of all of the treats he snuck) the kids opened presents and got goodies ready for Santa and the reindeer. On the 25th the kids weren't up as early as we were as kids, and everyone was excited to see that the treat plate was empty and the stockings were full. We went over to the Crockers for the annual GGG (Gift Grab Game) that saw Steve as the convenor for the first time in many years (or ever? I don't know); good food was had and excellent presents were exchanged and fought for (I ended up with a Canadian Tire gift card (not my first choice) and Steve came home with a digital meat thermometer and BBQ brush - woohooooooo). A feast followed here chez the Brinkmans, and we all went to bed stuffed to the gills. The kids opened more presents on the 26th (maybe just one) and have been enjoying most if not all of the presents they received from friends, family and the one and only Santa Claus. Highlight presents for Hendrik include a heavy duty yo-yo, a remote control car/dino, and a Pokeball. Alana's favourite gifts are probably a Sky Zoomer (Paw Patrol), a Barbie, and a new Robyn Doggy - which, though much requested, doesn't seem to take the place of the old Robs in terms of time, attention, or love (sad - I still miss the old Robyn Doggy!). Jordan received a few good gifts too - a lawn mower and a play table are probably his favourites, but some cloth books and chewy toys also find lots of playing time. I didn't take many pictures - either because I'm enjoying the moment or because I'm off somewhere feeding Jordan or changing his diaper etc. or because I have no idea where my camera is. But there are pictures, and here are a few - 🍻 here's to the holidays, hope yours were happy too! 🍻

people 💗 

happy outside in the snow!

our own frosty

this was the beginning of the too many treats on the 24th... 

more love!

this is the one and only family shot we have so far... our clan, our first christmas with five

"mom, i don't want to have any more babies because i just want to have jordan as the baby in our family. mom, can you tell the dentist that i don't want to have any babies? i just want jordan to be the baby." she loves her baby brother, and is a bit unsure about what it means to be a dentist. 💓

GGG time at the Crockers

sibling love

skating has been SO MUCH better this year for both kids as they actually skate (as opposed to flop, fall and hang on us). we have no idea  what prompted this change - the first time we hit the ice they were just better... both of them!

christmas!

it took three shots to get the lovely one on the right | making sugar cookies

Merry (belated) Christmas! We had an awesome day - great company, great food, a full table, and full plates. Santa came, the kids were showered with gifts, we connected with our families on skype, there were goodies and mmmmost importantly, we were all together. That is my hodgepodge of thoughts of why the 24th and 25th were just right; see the pics below for proof of holiday perfection.

CCTV came to our place for a Christmas interview on Christmas Eve: watch the broadcast-nationwide clip HERE

Steve left this afternoon (for Chengdu, Sichuan Province) for a few days and is back late late Sunday night, then away for TEN DAYS as of Tuesday, January 1st. EEEEeeeeeeps. And that's all I have to say about that. The couch is calling - if I didn't have to stay up to hang up diapers, I'd be in bed as soon as this web log is up. Pho-tos!

sugar cookies, round two: ICING!

homemade stockings: Steve and I made stockings for e/o several years ago; Alana's and Hendrik's are new this year, crafted from Ikea hand towels, a diaper insert and ribbon.

Alana, after her Christmas Eve feast

the boys, about to dig into the goodies

Christmas morning, opening presents: his new Thomas trains are no-contest winners...

Steve did the turkey: shower and schtuff - and the bird was delectable!

out for a Christmas Day walk

stockings - Santa came! (love Alana's face in the bottom R: what is THAT)

reading Anatole, one of the new books - I love it!

 

The meal was one of the best I've ever had: turkey, stuffing, gravy, mashed potats, sweet potato + apple bake, broccoli and cheese sauce, roasted carrots, rolls, cranberry sauce and hot mulled wine. And it was our first Christmas as a family of four!

Caro made stuffed apples... they were delicious!

our beautiful babe, on her first Christmas (wearing a dress made by my mom's mom, Grandma Hamblin)

I love her!

and I love him

There is more, but the VPN that I require in order to access my blog in China is not working so well SO, after two nights of incredibly painfully slow internet, I'm posting and signing off. Better luck next time (tomorrow)...