Last gunfight

One last gunfight before coming home . . . Holly loved ambushing Daddy! I think we'll have to buy another one of these guns. This one used to belong to Dad, which he gave to Brandon because Holly wasn't interested in playing with it . . . times have changed!

Today's activities

The second day of our visit included:

A quick morning shootout . . .



















. . . followed by a walk at Whiffen Spit, where we found a tree on the trail that had been decorated by some anonymous people. Holly & I spotted the mistletoe, which meant that someone had to give Holly a kiss!

Visiting Nana & Grand-dad

We went to visit Nana & Grand-dad on the Island today.

Here they are opening their xmas and 50th Anniversary present - a "ticket" to take an Alaskan cruise in May!














Having dinner - with cousin Brandon.














Nerf gun shootout - what a shot by Holly!

Christmas morning

Christmas morning . . . Santa came and left Holly's stocking by her bed.

Here she is sitting on our bed opening the presents in her stocking.



















Downstairs, sitting on her new chair with ottoman - from Mommy & Daddy.



















Opening one of the "big" presents Santa left under the tree.



















Enjoying her morning milk on her new chair! Very comfy!

Christmas dinner

After dinner - the tryptophan coma sets in . . .



















Holly thought it would be fun to take some pictures of everyone sleeping, too!














Holly and Owen!



















Owen having a conversation with his great-grandfather and grandfather.














Holly asked if she could help - here she is folding napkins with Alison.



















Owen picking out his present for during the gift-stealing game . . . he decided on the blue one!

Christmas Eve

Our annual Christmas Eve family tradition - we all go over to my grandfather's house to wait for Santa to come visit.

Holly giving Owen his present . . .














Owen likes his maraca and the shoes we gave him fit, too!



















The grandchildren (and great-grandchildren) with Kong.














The 2 great-grandchildren with Tai-Kong.














Surprise!!! Santa didn't come this year - it was the Grinch instead, who tried to steal our presents! Good thing Holly Lou-Who was there to stop him!



















Everyone had to have a photo taken with the Grinch . . . starting with Owen! Actually, it looks like the Grinch is about to run away with him!














Alison . . .



















Lai (Lauren) . . .














Lisa . . .














Darryl . . .



















Steve . . .














Ho (Christopher) . . .



















Brian . . .














Kong . . .














Grinch family . . .



















My mom . . .



















Ivy . . .














Uncle Basil . . .



















The Grinch about to steal our Holly away!



















Our Christmas duo - the Holly and the Ivy - in matching 2010 outfits! Thanks Ivy and Buddy for the awesome track suit - now Holly is ready to cheer on Team Canada!




















Trying out her Hello Kitty bath towel.

Nutcracker Mouse

Today we went to see the Nutcracker ballet. The show was a production of the ballet school that my sister used to dance with when she was little. It was really well done - the sets and costumes and dancers were all excellent - and there were even a few surprises to make this show unique from the Nutcracker ballets I've seen in the past. Holly even took a picture with one of the mouse characters after the show!

Belinda's birthday

We celebrated Bel's birthday today - first we had dim sum, then went to the ballet, and tonight we had a birthday cake for her - guess who helped blow candles?!