Teeth are Arriving!
Ziko shows off the two newest additions to his mouth while going for a cruise on our backyard rink in his umbrella stroller. It was Ziko's first "skate" and he absolutely loved it! There is not too much that Ziko doesn't enjoy...he's a very happy boy!

The Best of Friends

The Beach Dancers!

Zam's school had a beach dance in the gym last week (for grades K-5) and the kids had an absolute blast! They stayed for the whole dance and did everything from the limbo to simply running in circles and chasing beach balls. Hizee really loves getting in on the school-time action and often talks about how she can't wait to start school too.

The Playful Two!

Hizee and Ziko are quite alike in that they both like to play and they both like to tease. Lately it has been Ziko who has had the upper hand in the teasing department. He crawls up to Hizee while she is deeply engrossed in play and simply wacks her on the arm or takes away one of her toys! He thinks that this is absolutely hilarious and giggles with glee. Hizee, on the other hand, isn't so keen on Ziko's new-found ability to tease. Most of the time, however, they get along great and I can picture many intense play times (and wrestling matches) in their future!

Zam the Cross-Country Skiing Machine!

Zam discovered a new passion a couple of weeks ago -- cross-country skiing! We have had these wee skis for a while now (given to us by some friends) and Zam was initially very excited about trying them out (in summer). Then he got the idea that it might be too difficult and didn't want to give skiing a try. However, a couple of weeks ago he stepped out of his comfort zone and gave it a whirl. Now he is hooked! Once he is out there he doesn't want to stop. While he is skiing (and in between numerous wipe outs) he states over and over again that he is having "soooo much fun!" The look of joy on his face while he is skiing is quite inspiring. And the best part of his new found passion is that we don't have to go far to do it. This picture is taken in Zam's school yard which (as many of you already know or have seen) is right behind our house!

The Gymnast

Hizee is nuts about her gymnastics class! She was in a gymnastics class before Christmas but we were not going to register her again in the new year because we thought she could try swimming lessons or something different. But Hizee was insistant upon taking gymnastics again. She especially enjoys doing somersaults and jumping on the trampoline. She was very proud when Zam came to watch her this past week. He could be heard intermittently yelling "Way to go Hizee!" throughout the entire class! Hizee was just beaming -- it was so cute!

Ziko is such a joy! He is now a strapping eleven-month-old who LOVES to play! He can play for long periods of time on his own and often crawls off on his own little exploring adventures. Last week he discovered the culinary delight called cat food! (At least it wasn't the litter!)

The Babysitter

Grape people

Sesame Street visits baby Jesus, courtesy of Hizee!

Christmas and New Years

Hanging out and cuddling with Grandma and Grandpa. Hizee had trouble sleeping when Grandma and Grandpa were here (due to all the excitment) and often ended her days falling asleep on the couch with Grandpa.

Both Zam and Hizee are still chanting the rhymes that Grandma taught them during the visit.

My mom and dad spent tonnes of time with the kids which gave Bruce and I the chance to do some snowmobiling and to have some general "kid free" time (a rare occurance around here). Zam kept asking us when we were going to leave -- the kids wanted Grandma and Grandpa all to themselves!

Grandma and Grandpa brought us lots of presents but more importantly they brought us their presence!They spent so much time with us and we had a complete blast wrestling, crafting, reading, playing, cuddling and talking with them! We love you so much Grandma and Grandpa, thank you for coming to spend Christmas with us!

Can you spot them? Stay tuned for many more photos of those two crazy Southerners who became Northerners during Christmas this year (or last year, I should say).

Christmas Morning

Lighting the last advent candle.

Life is never dull when surrounded by super heroes and pink poodles.

Ziko frequently inspected the tree during Christmas, ridding it of any decorations that he deemed unnecessary.

Zam and Hizee were completely and utterly ecstatic about their roles as shepherd and angel in our church's Christmas pageant.

Shepherd and angel in action.

Mary, Joseph and the baby...Ziko! When we suggested to Zam and Hizee that they quickly sneak to the front of the church before the Christmas concert and pose as Mary and Joseph, with Ziko as baby Jesus, Zam refused to do it for fear of getting "caught." After much coaxing he agreed, but quickly ran off stage after the photo shoot.

Peaceful Visitor

A ptarmigan perches on our deck.

The start of advent -- Hizee lights the first advent candle.