A serene setting...

Over the Christmas Holiday we managed to sneak in a quick trip to the Bembridge Cottage. There was a pretty good amount of snow that fell overnight, and we had a beautiful walk in the woods with the kids. Pictures like this make me think that winter can sometimes be more beautiful than summer.

Fiander Fondue

It was a special event for us to host a majority of the Fianders at our home for a Fondue. The kids weren't entirely sure at first, but once the chocolate fondue arrived, they thought it was pretty fun.

What's Christmas dinner without the silly hats?

Jackie, Meredith and Olivia enjoy their turkey dinner.

Guitar Hero 3

Findlay tries a few licks on Guitar Hero 3 with the help of his cousin Mark. The game was a lot of fun, but I prefer the exercise factor involved in DDR (Dance Dance Revolution)

After warming up on the guitar, Findlay moved on to the drums. He was in his glory visiting a house full of BIG boys!

The Christmas Morning Melee

Once the stockings are hung by the chimney with care everything goes to pot! The chaos our poor tree went through this holiday is evident by the garland gone awry. Thanks to the cat. Below is just a sampling of the loot on Christmas morning....

The stockings were hung....

Christmas Eve Dinner

Findlay and Olivia posing for the camera. Our dinner was fabulous, but a little bit later than we had hoped. Next year we'll eat at 4 p.m. to make sure we fit in supper!

A snowy Christmas....

Rowan is all grins during a Tulloch family gathering which included some seaside sledding. Innis played catch at the bottom of the hill to ensure no one went over the edge!






Tullochs like to up the adrenaline quotient with any activity!

The Pyjama Party Cake

Olivia's cake matched her pyjamas that she wore for the party.

Watch for the drool....

Rowan snuggled up very close to Olivia to ensure his chance to sample the cake. Olivia and Rowan share a special relationship and it shows at these types of family gatherings.

She's TEN!

Some days it's hard to believe Olivia is ten, and then other days she seems 14! She had a blast during a number of birthday celebrations and the excitement from her birthday just seems to help with the building of the Christmas excitement!

Winter has arrived!

The snow this early in December has been a real blessing. The kids love playing outside again, and they're getting so much more fresh air than they had been even a week ago! The snow gear has taken a beating though and we've had to replenish our supply of mitts, hats and boots to allow for drying time!

I can't say the snowy weather has kicked my Christmas readiness into gear though. I'll get there. I always do, just a little later than most.

Enjoy this photo of Finn playing in the first snow that stayed this season....

Getting ready for the holidays...

Sunnyside Dance

A shot of Andrew and I at the kids' school fundraising dance. It was a fun time, but knowing I had to coach at 6:30 a.m. the next day certainly held me back from lettin' loose!

Stylin' vests...

Alayne and I modeling one of the more exciting finds at our Frenchy's run. We didn't end up purchasing these beauties, but at least we captured the look. I still wish Sam had gotten the boots. You'll regret it at New Year's!

Multi-day event

A snap of my niece Sam and our friend Alayne during a recent "multi-day event" up in the valley. We enjoyed some Frenchy's shopping (second-hand clothing store) and fine dining. It was just fun to get together and relax at Sam's apartment.

Hangin' with Maggie

Making the most of a warm fall day, we hit the playground with cousin Maggie. Hard to imagine there's only two years between her and Olivia. It will be interesting to see them when Olivia's in grade 7 and Maggie's in grade 9!

Nanny's birthday

We had a nice family gathering for my Mom's birthday earlier this month. It was great for the cousins to get together and to see my siblings as we rarely get together now!

Dragon/Dinosaur/Alligator...Reptilian thing

Finn started the day as a friendly dinosaur, but by the end of the night he was a scary dragon. He kept everyone guessing, that's for sure.

Dr. Tulloch

Olivia decided to be a vet for Halloween. We'll see if she continues with the animal craze later.

Smartie Pants...

Meredith's costume was lost on many in the dark of trick or treating, but anyone who asked got quite a chuckle from the idea.

Happy Halloween

This Halloween was a relatively calm one. We enjoyed the pumpkin carving just before the kids hit the road for trick or treating, and they probably stayed out later than normal because they went around with some friends who had more stamina. Next year I think we should just go to friends and family's homes....avoid the sugar high of November!

Definite resemblance...

Finn and Meredith relaxing in the leaves after raking. (Meredith did much of the raking...Findlay just enjoys jumping in them afterwards!)

A rare cousin moment...

During a recent PD day, the girls had two of their cousins over for a sleepover. Jackie and Maggie enjoyed some girl time (and Finn too) and relished in our tradition of ice cream sundaes during sleepovers.

Star of the Day

Findlay's preschool has certain days for the students to be the "star of the day". Findlay has been asking if it was his day since early September and finally on October 24 it was his day. He was thrilled to bring in his special animals and to have the chance to talk at circle time.

Loopy Cat

This cat is always into something, and I found him cozied up in the booster seat in the front hall. I guess he's missing the kids while they're at school.

Sammy and Meredith

Meredith and her good friend Sammy came in 3rd and 4th at the meet and were the first grade threes from Sunnyside to finish the race! Waverley Road represent!

Meredith's first running race

Meredith came in third in her first running race. She was exhausted and didn't really like the crowds. Perhaps that's why she ran ahead...to get away from the crowd!

Lots to be thankful for...

A slew of healthy, happy Tulloch children during our Thanksgiving gathering in Fox Point.
The kids had a lot of fun playing together. Great memories for years to come.

LEGO MANIA

The lego insanity that goes on during visits to Grandma and Grandpa's home. I can just imagine the amount of Lego injuries Grandma and Grandpa must have endured through the Lego stages!

Sisters

The beautiful girlies on their way to a slumber party.

Another perch...

Axel finds the highest point to have his siestas. That helps him know what's going on everywhere else. It's also how he trashes everything around when he has to get down from his perch at high speed.

Axel on the roam

Axel has never been a cat to stay in one place for too long. He is always on the move and cruising around the house to survey his domain. When he does finally plunk himself down, it is never on a lap, but rather beside you (Mouse is already on your lap!)

First day of preschool...

Finn was pumped to start at preschool this year. There wasn't a tear shed and barely a goodbye to be heard. Curious to see if it all goes so smoothly next year!

A boy and his kite....

We enjoyed a lazy afternoon flying kites near our church. Findlay was very focused upon keeping his in the air and he did quite well once it got going. The wind wasn't very strong compared to what it has been lately, but it was enough to keep these little kites flying.

Welcome to my home...

It's been some time since I have used my creative juices for anything other than being a mother, school projects or my part-time flailings called freelance. It was with quite a bit of satisfaction this weekend that I hung this latest creation on my front door to welcome the coming season. Since our home was painted last summer, I was never very thrilled with any of my door decorations, but I think this one was a pretty good first attempt. Some day the home on the other side will be tidy and organized, but for now, at least I am able to control the decor on my door. Baby steps.

The heavy loads...

With the first day of school, comes the expectation of the child to carry a backpack full of supplies that doubles his/her weight! Thankfully Findlay has another year before starting, so he was able to carry some extras in his backpack for Meredith. His first day of preschool will be in another week, and he is so ready to have some peer interaction. I'm not nearly fun enough for him these days!

No sign of first day jitters here...

The girls have been very excited to start school, so if there were any first day nerves, the excitement seemed to override them.

Taking in the news...

Walking past the dining room the other morning, I caught Findlay "reading" the paper. Many may be able to boast of their four year olds being able to read, but Findlay is not quite there yet and still working out the letters....it just seemed so funny to see him entranced by the paper. He's a character in everything that he does!

Most of the crew...

Nanny and her grandchildren. We were missing Samantha, Michael and Mark, but there was still lots of smiles and fun with the others in attendance.

Nanny is nearly dwarfed by them, but thankfully there are still a few smaller than her!