December 31st: Mark and Sara's

We spent New Year's Eve at Mark and Sara's house, as we usually do. However, this was the first time it was a family event! When Andrea was 5 months old, we had a babysitter; and last year, Mark and Sara had a newborn baby so we stayed home. This year, both Andrea and Kevin came with us to Mark and Sara's. It worked out well because they have two little boys, aged 1 and 3 years, so they have a great set-up for the kids. Andrea slept on an air mattress in the playroom, and Kevin slept in their playard (playpen to you old-timers), when it was time for bed.

One thing that has definitely changed is the size of this gathering! This year it was just our two families, plus Jay and Karen were down from the Toronto area. So, there were 6 adults and four kids. How things change! But I think it was kind of nice that way--a relaxed, intimate gathering of friends. We spent a lot of time just talking, and looking over the photos Jay and Karen brought from their trip through Europe (so jealous!).

We did our usual potluck plan where we all bring a couple of things to share. I brought my usual: stuffed potatoes and chocolate chip cookies--as per Rod's request!

The kids were so cute, and got along well. Talk about a step ladder--one at each stage--3 years, 2 years, 1 year, and 5 months old! Oh, and by a funny coincidence, Aiden, Andrea and Kevin all had camouflage-print outfits on!

Daddy and The Boy

***

Andrea and Kevin playing

***

Aiden tickling Kevin

(LOVE this picture--how cute are they? Aiden kept saying, "Kevin likes me!")

***

Kade was so sweet--he kept coming up and patting Kevin's head, and touching his hands. Kevin loved the attention from the other little boys!

***

Karen and the kids are checking out Aiden's toy laptop.

***

The kids slept soundly through the coming of the New Year, and when we left there was quite a snowstorm outside! Thank goodness we only live about a 2-minute drive away from Mark and Sara's. :))

December 29th and 30th: Relaxing!

Yes, we finally got two relatively quiet days. We basically just relaxed, cleaned up the house a bit, and played with Kevin and Andrea. Kevin and I were still sick, but at least we could take it easy.

Daddy and Kevin, the morning after our party

***

The next day was similar--we spent the day in pyjamas, relaxing. Rod and the kids played on the floor together.

Kevin's new music-and-movement ball intrigues him. He can't crawl yet but it did get him kicking and wiggling with excitement. He was twisting himself around so much to watch it and reach for it that he kept rolling over! So, it lives up to its hype--it entertains Kevin and encourages him to move. But I have to laugh when it teases him a bit by saying things like, "Catch me if you can!" and then it rolls away. :))

December 28th: The 8th Annual RG Classic In-Between Christmas and New Year's Invitational

With Kevin on the mend and Daddy doing all the preparations (good man!), I was at ease to enjoy our annual holiday party for our friends.

I took this picture of Andrea before our guests arrived. I had to laugh--she's a living advertisement for Dora and Diego! She has Diego binoculars; Dora pyjamas; a Dora couch; and three Dora dolls! And this is only about 10% of her Dora and Diego items. In keeping with this theme, why not watch a video of Andrea watching Diego and dancing and singing along with the episode? :))

***

Our friends soon began to arrive, and it was quite a baby-fest! Matt and Susan were down from Kitchener with Maeve and Finn; Mike and Michelle brought Parker; and our own two rounded out the group. It's always fun to get this group together, because the boys were all born within the same week, and the girls are only a few months apart in age, too.

Andrea and Maeve playing with the ball popper

Finn, Kevin, and Parker

Although Kevin was feeling a bit better, he was really worn out by the time the other boys arrived, so he wasn't in much of a mood to socialize. But I love this picture. Look at Finn--he looks like he's saying to Kevin, "It's okay, buddy!" Parker was also reaching out and touching Kevin's arm when he was upset. Too cute! (Also note the extremely rare "Mommy Sighting"!).

***

After we got our tired little ones of to dream-land, we got up a poker game with more of our friends downstairs. I had the monitor on. It was close to midnight when Kevin suddenly decided to wake up, and join the party! I went to get him a bottle from the fridge, and this is what I saw:

Oh, and it gets better. After he had his bottle, he stayed up and visited with the poker players. He was passed around and admired, and of course revelled in the attention. He gnawed on the lip of Daddy's beer bottle, and even got his first poker lesson from Daddy!

Bottoms up!

Okay Dad, I'll go ALL-IN like you said . . . but I can't watch!

December 27th: A Day of Rest ?!

Ha!

This was supposed to be a day for the kids and I to stay at home and relax a bit. Admittedly, Rod had a busy day planned--he had to do an inventory count in the morning (yuck), but then had the Gagnon family euchre tournament in the afternoon, and a poker game at night.

Well, Kevin had other plans. Early in the morning he spiked a high fever, and Advil was not bringing it down. By the time the clinics were opened he had a fever of 101.6, and I couldn't get rid of it. But Rod had to go to the inventory count. So, we called upon Grama and Grandpa Gagnon for help. Grama was not feeling so well herself, so Rod dropped Andrea off there while Grandpa took Kevin and I to the clinic. Naturally, being the first day these services were open, they were swamped. We made fairly good time in the clinic itself; however, the doctor on call decided to do blood work and x-rays on Kevin to make sure he didn't have an infection/pneumonia. They also gave him an additional dose of Tylenol in the office, because they were concerned about his fever.

So, we went over to the lab. Of course, it was packed. When we finally got called, poor Kevin went through quite an ordeal--his tiny veins wouldn't cooperate, despite several minutes of poking. Then, they had to do the heel pricks to get blood, and had to do it twice, in case one sample clotted! He wailed himself into exhaustion. I was numb by this point, but the one technician almost cried because she felt so bad for him!

Then off to x-ray for another wait, and another uncomfortable time for Kevin. Then back to the clinic, to be told that (thank goodness!) the x-rays were clear, Kevin's temp had come down a bit, and we could go home.

That didn't mean the fun was over. Kevin was hot until late into the night, when his fever finally broke. Meanwhile, I had him stripped down and was keeping cool washcloths on his head, which he thoroughly enjoyed. And don't forget that through all this I was sick too!

It was more a day of stress than the day of rest I had hoped for!

***

Well, at least Andrea enjoyed her day. She had fun playing with the new toys, and got to visit with her Grandma.

Here she is, in the morning, playing with the ball popper Santa brought for the kids. I cut out the end of the video where you hear poor Kevin start to cry because he feels so miserable!

December 26th: The Gagnons

On Boxing Day, as per tradition, we went to the large Gagnon (Rod's dad's family) gathering. I say large because, well, the family is so big! It is just Rod's dad's brothers and sisters and their families, but they counted and there were about 80 people present--and some family members couldn't make it! For the past few years this event has taken place at Aunt Petesy's (a.k.a. "Gagnon Hall"). We visit, have a big family dinner, and then Santa comes to visit the kids and give out gifts. Yes, Santa makes a special effort to visit the Gagnons on Boxing Day, because there are just so many children there! :))

Andrea is in the background, playing bowling; Izzy is eating some taco dip; and Kevin's entertaining himself on the floor.
***

I have to say, though, I've had bad luck the last two years with this gathering. Last year, Andrea was so sick with a throat infection that we didn't even go. This year, I was really sick and almost didn't go, but didn't want Rod to have to go alone with both the kids. We got there, and I actually perked up a bit. But then Kevin suddenly started to shriek for no apparent reason. He felt a bit hot, but it was hot with all those people, so I stripped him down to his undershirt, and sat by a door with a cool draft. He calmed down, but I was starting to feel miserable again, plus being worried about his unusual behaviour.

Anyhow, we had a good time until Kevin started to scream (I got a bit mad about some people's comments about Kevin's yelling--even if they were just joking--because I know he's usually such a good baby, and I was worried).


However, we had a funny moment when it was Andrea's turn to get her gift from Santa. I guess she remembered how upset she was when she had to sit on Santa's lap at Gram's Christmas party a few weeks ago. Well, when they called her name, she ran up, snatched the gift from Santa, and ran back to her place! Nothing could induce her to return to Santa so we could get a photo. I had to laugh.


Kevin, on the other hand, wasn't bothered by Santa at all. He was feeling better at this point, and took his first meeting with Santa quite matter-of-factly.

[Santa must be dieting.]

***

We ended up leaving the gathering early because I was feeling so unwell, and Kevin was getting a bit restless again, too. When we got home, Andrea had some fun playing in the new schoolhouse Mommy and Daddy got her for Christmas. It's kind of like a pop-up tent/playhouse, with Dora and Diego pictures on the outside.

I see you, Mama!

Peek-a-boo!

December 25th: Christmas Morning and The Seguins

Christmas Day was busy, but pleasant. Thankfully, the kids slept in until about 8:30 am (!). When they got up, we showed them their presents from Santa, and Daddy helped them open their presents from us, too. Andrea, once again, was simply excited because there were more "PRESENTS!" Kevin was excited because Andrea was excited! :)) One item of note: although Andrea loves presents, she's lazy about them. She had to have "Mama/Dada help it?" which usually meant we unwrapped her gifts for her!

***

At around 10 am, we packed up the kids and headed over to Aunt Stephanie and Uncle Tony's for their traditional Christmas morning brunch. It's a nice little gathering, because the Hages (Uncle Tony's family) are always there as well. And who doesn't love a good-old-fashioned huge Christmas morning breakfast? :))

Adam, Izzy, and Andrea (the toddler trio) had their own little table!

Christmas cake, Kevin? No? We don't blame you! :))

***

In the afternoon, we went to Aunt Claire's house, where most of the Seguins (my mom's family) congregated for the day. (Yes, this is the same Aunt Claire who was at the Markets' on Christmas Eve . . . oh, you all know about me and Rod's weird family connections by now!).

Andrea had an incredible amount of fun there, because there were lots of kids within a few years of age to play with. The finished basement also had a wonderful open lay-out conducive to running and screaming children! :)) I didn't even try to keep tabs on her. Andrea did her best to keep up with the "big kids" (5 to 8- year-olds) until we had to put a stop to it, because she was trying to jump over the couch with them!

***

Nice hat, Uncle Chuck! Merry Christmas!

Kevin with Aunt Rosie--my godmother, and baby-lover extraordinaire!

December 24th: The Maurices and The Markets

We continued our tradition of visiting both the Maurice (my dad's) and Market (Rod's mom's)family on Christmas Eve.

***

This year, the Maurice gathering was at Aunt Angie and Uncle Rick's house. It's nice, because they live in the same town as Gram Market, so we didn't have much extra travelling. We arrived there a bit before 4 pm, and had a nice (albeit quick--we arrived later than planned, and they had to leave for Church by 4:30) visit. We did get one bad scare upon arrival--Andrea helped herself to a peanut dish the instant we arrived. We think she only got one peanut, and by some Christmas miracle, nothing happened. Thank God! We watched her like a hawk for about half an hour, but she was absolutely fine. She was busy playing with some toys (Aunt Angie has two girl grandchildren), and soon the girls and Brigitte arrived, so she had some playmates. Kevin was content to be passed around and admired by the Maurice family members.

Kevin was highly entertained by Aunt Angie's penguin!

Daddy, Andrea, and Tayla at the bar (Chris and Jen in background)

Kevin snuggled up with Grandpa Vic (a Leafs fan--who forgave us the Wings bib--because Kevin's "so darn cute!")

***

Soon, we were off to Gram (Great-Gram to our little ones) Market's for the big family dinner and gift exchange. We always have such happy times there--excellent food and lots of fun!

Umm . . . what am I supposed to do with this?

Ooo . . . ooo . . . I know . . . I know . . . Raise the roof for PRESENTS!

Yep, Andrea's a pro now.

I still don't get it.

***

Here's Andrea, modeling her new Dora pajamas from Gram and Grandpa, and some Disney Princess accessories from the kids' gift exchange.

***

She also got some sparkly smiley-face stickers from Great Gram, with which she proceeded to decorate herself, as well as others. She also popped on Great-Gram's slippers and started to shuffle about. It was quite the ensemble!

***

Kevin found Aunt Claire to be good company, and spent most of the evening cuddled up in her lap. (And yes, Andrea put that sticker on Kevin's head! She always gives him one, too.)

***

As the evening closed, I found Kevin stretched out on Aunt Claire, watching The Grinch Who Stole Christmas. He liked the singing in "Who-ville." He also laughed every time Aunt Claire said, "Mr. Gri-inch!" to him, like it does in the song. :))

December 23rd: Donna and Greg's

On December 23rd, we drove over to Dearborn Heights, MI to have a Christmas visit with my siblings at Donna and Greg's house. Andrea was very excited when we went over "the big bridge." We've been over before, of course, but it's been awhile. This was the first time she noticed the Ambassador Bridge (!): how we were high up, and over the water.

Uncle Chuck and Brigitte went to Aunt Donna's, too. Aunt Donna made a great meal of pasta, salad, and garlic bread for us. We also made a pilgrimage to the local CVS pharmacies, where she showed Uncle Chuck and I how to get a pack of batteries, a bar of soap, and two packages of candy for 26 cents (that girl knows how to work the coupon system!). ;))

***

Aunt Donna must love Andrea a lot to let her play with her $1000 camera!

***

Oldest and Youngest: my 15-year-old niece, Caitlin, is cuddling almost-5-month-old-Kevin

[By the way, doesn't our family make beautiful kids? :))]

***

And of course, since she's only two years old, the highlight of Andrea's night was PRESENTS!

December 22nd: Mom and Dad Gagnon's

We went to Mom and Dad Gagnon's to have dinner, and exchange gifts, on the 22nd. The highlight of our meal was the $1 roast (yes, you read that right!) that Grandpa had purchased with a coupon. The meal was quite tasty, and Grandpa was very proud of himself!

Here's Daddy and Kevin opening some gifts:

I'd like to point out that Kevin is wearing the same "Baby's First Christmas" outfit that Andrea wore for her first Christmas celebration at Grandma and Grandpa's. Here's a picture of Andrea when she wore it 2 years ago:

I wish I'd had a chance to get a close-up of Kevin in it, so we could compare them better.

***

Andrea and Kevin had their bath at Grandma and Grandpa's. Aunt Stephanie and Kevin cuddled a bit together after his bath. They were playing with Gram's stuffed reindeer with the flashing nose, and Kevin was fascinated by it!

***

Meanwhile, Andrea was attached to her new Dancing Dora doll from Aunt Stephanie, Uncle Tony, and Izzy. Dancing Dora had to eat supper with us, and no one was allowed to touch her but Andrea! Andrea quickly caught on how to get the new Dora to sing her "We Did It" song, and was singing and dancing along with her all evening!

Here's the video of Andrea singing and dancing with her new Dora:

Kevin's First Haircut :))

I had given Kevin (and Andrea) a trim back in early November, but both of them needed a nice haircut for Christmas. Kevin's was getting positively crazy-looking, and Andrea's was getting a bit shaggy, too. So, this morning Daddy and I took them to get their hair cut.

They were both so good! It was surprisingly busy for the middle of a weekday--I'm guessing because it's a few days before Christmas. Thankfully, there was a bucket of little toys to amuse Andrea, and Kevin was content to take in the new sights and sounds.

Andrea got her hair cut first. We only got her bangs cut and the back trimmed a bit, because I am letting her hair grow out. She only whined a little bit when she had to look down, but besides that, she was a very good girl. The nice lady who did her hair gave her some stickers and a sucker!

Then, it was Kevin's turn. Everyone made a big fuss over our adorable little guy. He looked so funny (and so grown-up!) sitting on Daddy's lap, with the cape around him. He did awesome--he sat very still, and didn't make a peep. The lady did a fantastic job on his hair; it was just what I had hoped for: she retained his characteristic spikes, but made them short, neat, and stylish. :))

Since the kids were doing so well, Daddy decided to get his hair trimmed, too. While he was doing that, I found my camera in my purse, and sneaked a few pictures of the kids at the hair salon (you can see Daddy in the background in two of them):

***

(better view of new 'do--taken later, at home)