Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Winterfest

This past weekend was Winterfest at the Ambassador's. While we were there we got to go on a dogsled ride. Clayton loved it. It's just like on the movie "SnowBuddies" that we've watched 50 million times. Unfortunately, everyone else at Winterfest wanted a ride, too, so we couldn't keep going around and around. We also enjoyed some mulled wine and sweet treats while Clayton skated (with the help of Cyle) around the rink. It was pretty cold, so I spent quite a bit of our time there inside with Levi.

Levi loves to be on his belly. He's getting pretty good at working his way over to something he wants or rolling over if he's tired. He's still as smiley as ever and is getting more and more ticklish. Such a sweet boy!

Like any Canadian, we bough our two-year-old some hockey skates and a helmet. Clayton has so far enjoyed skating, but doesn't quite have it down...His feet just go everywhere! He sure does try!

The Events Committee had a farewell tea for Mrs. Wilkins. They're departure is bittersweet. We know they are anxious to get back to South Carolina to be closer to their family, but they will be sorely missed in Canada. The next ambassador has some high expectations to meet. The Wilkins are such genuine people and it's been such a treat for us to know them. It's a good time to be getting ready to leave Ottawa, it just won't be the same without them! We wish them all the best and many blessings.

Mont Tremblant









This past weekend, we visited Mont Tremblant in Quebec. It is a gorgeously quaint ski resort. It's like a little town was plucked out of Switzerland and set down in the Laurentians. While we were there Cyle got in some skiing, we rode on a horse drawn sleigh, built a fire in our hotel fireplace (Clayton asked for two days straight to "make a fire."), took the gondola to the top of the mountain and enjoyed the best of Canadian winter. On our drive home, Cyle spotted the biggest snowman we've ever seen - I barely caught it!

Saturday, January 3, 2009

Happy Birthday, Uncle Neal!


Today Uncle Neal turns 22!!
Happy, happy birthday to you!
WE LOVE YOU!!!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

We had a wonderful Christmas at home this year. Clayton and I baked cookies for Santa. Cyle and Clayton put out reindeer food. It snowed. It was just like the songs we sing! Two days before Christmas I was going to take Clayton to a tree farm to see reindeer. He was uncooperative, so we didn't go. Later that evening Clayton said to me, "It's okay I didn't see a reindeer. I'll just see them when Santa comes to my house." "Um," I stuttered, "Santa only comes if you're sound asleep." Without missing a beat, Clayton replied, "That's okay. Santa will wake me up." Santa didn't wake him up, but we did follow him on NORAD's site and that seemed to be enough. Thank goodness!

Both boys we're so excited for Santa to come. Clayton couldn't wait to play with his new excavator in a big box of corn. Levi was content to just sit back and watch the action. He did really like the present from Clayton - a top.

Clayton got what he wanted most from Santa: a guitar. Little did Santa know how much it would get played. Not only does Clayton sing songs we all know (ABCs, Wonder Pets Theme, 3 Blind Mice), but he also writes his own songs (Working on a Deer on a Saturday Night and Halloween Party). He even gets on our coffee table stage to perform. It's too funny.

Future FBI Agent...

Happy New Year!