Last weekend of November

SR & I took the kids to Shipyards Park - there is a toboggan hill there.  This is the first time the kids sat in this particular sled.

Emerson truly enjoyed it and Alanna took it all in stride.

SR went down with them the first few times.  There he is near the top in the orange sled with a little girl in pink.

Then he set them up and sent them down to me at the bottom of the hill.  

At home, he read Emerson's new favourite book.  We also made a snowman as the snow is now packing snow (it is so warm outside).  Had a fun weekend with my big kid and his little kids.

Seniors' Soirée

Last night was the Seniors' Soirée held at the Convention Centre.  I love it - you pay $35 for an evening of a beautiful buffet and dancing (as well as door prizes and silent auction) or the next night pay $200 for the same thing.  Sometimes it pays to be a senior.

Music was provided by the Cannucks.  I love those guys.

It is a part of the Festival of Trees.  Corporations or groups sponsor a tree, fill it with goods, and people bid on them  The trees lined the centre (the one above on the extreme right is filled with beer cans).

My Line Dancing group filled table 4 and a handful of other dancers were sporadically located throughout the centre.

After dinner and dessert the dancing started.  We formed our lines on the perimeter of the dance floor and started dancing.  Lots watched and at times we had new dancers joining us as they couldn't resist.

Late November

The sun is now lower in the sky and creating dramatic reflections.  Our morning skies are becoming a moving sea of crimson and this day, about 3:30 in the afternoon, it reflected brilliantly off the top of a mountain.  Don't like the shorter days, but do like what the sun is doing to the sky and landscape. 

These are taken on the Robert Service Way beside the Yukon River.

Sunday at Gramma's

Sunday dinner at Gramma's house.   Above is Alanna chillin' in an Alanna sized chair munching on a Farley's biscuit until dinner is ready.

Emerson enjoyed resting in his chair as well.  They both had to learn how to back into a chair then sit  rather than attempt to climb into it in a forward position.  And they learn quickly those two.  

They also have to have a bit of time at the "table and chairs" and push those beads around. When one sits at the table, both have to do it at the same time.  When one leaves, both leave at the same time.  Interesting.   Notice Alanna is still eating her cookie whereas Emerson wolfed his down ever so quickly.  

Spruce Bog Saturday

Ahhh Christmas.  I had just started delving into my Christmas boxes when Spruce Bog came along.  It is our biggest, and perhaps oldest, Christmas fair. 

It was a beautiful morning.  This photo is my old neighbourhood, McPherson, on my way to pick up Helen.  Pink sky in the morning ...  But I guess that since we were't sailors, the day turned out beautiful.  Well above 0 and melting roads, which meant dirty trucks, but that is A-OK with me.

My friend Helen and I went first thing in the morning - seniors enter 10:15 to 11 and all others come at 11 AM.  (There are perks to getting old)  It was held in the Canada Games Centre and as we got there early I bought us a coffee and the only table we could find in that area was the kids tables, on which we sat, although considering she had a hip replacement a year ago, perhaps not the wisest choice.  We both didn't need a thing and ended up with a bag full of crafts.  

Christmas Already

 Driving downtown the other day - that is, Wednesday, November 18, I saw some construction happening at the end of Main Street.

It is officially the beginning of the Christmas season.  Our Christmas tree is going up at the end of Main Street and soon its lights will shine down the street.  This coming Saturday is Spruce Bog, a craft fair that has been in existence even before I came in '78.  I am taking Gramma to that (at the Canada Games Centre), then we will visit a couple more craft fairs that day.  It is becoming busy with December 25th approaching.

PS:  Thanks Sister Deb for looking out for me.  It is nice to know when I am tardy at posting on my blog, people (at least 1) are concerned for my well-being.

Spectre

OK, look at the above picture.  Now who wouldn't want to sit for 148 minutes and look at that!  OK, we'll start again.  Went to see the latest James Bond movie last night.  And it was very James Bondy - lots of crashing very expensive equipment - cars, helicopters, buildings,  lots of fighting with armies of men shooting their machine guns at James and he kills them all with his one gun,  lots of chase scenes and with all that miraculously James doesn't get a scratch on him.  And you watch James fall in love.  It is the kind of violent movie I like to watch because I know it is not real and in the end the good guys always win.  I enjoyed every 148 minutes of it.  I give it 4 Stars out of 5.

P.S.  This may be Daniel Craig's last 007 movie (although I heard rumours they are negotiating with him for one more)

Happy Birthday Gail

My friend Gail turned 65 on Saturday and her lovely daughter arranged a Surprise Tea Party for her.

Jennifer made all the sweets and Joan was in charge of the sandwiches.

When Gail arrived, we were all quietly standing behind the table waiting for her to enter the room (no jumping out of hiding spots for seniors!!!) and when she entered we yelled SURPRISE!!

And she was - surprised that is.

Unfortunately the silence followed by the shouting scared the wits out of little Mayela

It was a great gathering of her friends and we all wish her a Very Happy Birthday! 

Bridge of Spies

Saw this 92 Tomatoes Critics Choice movie last night and I must agree with them.  Tom Hanks won't be nominated for an Academy Award for his role in this film but after saying that I can't fault his performance.  It was a straight forward story of Spy v Spy during the cold war of the late '50's and it is a true story.  Mark Rylance, an actor I was not familiar with, did an excellent job as the Russian spy Rudolf Abel.  Although just over 2 hours in length, the time passed quickly (which means a pretty good movie for me).  I give this movie 8 Stars out of 10.

Hallowe'en Night

The Farmers and their chicks came to my door on Hallowe'en night.

Gramma gave them pumpkin pails filled with goodies, like new mitts, finger puppets and (edible) goldfish.

The kids were so good, watching all the Trick n Treaters as they came to the door.  As the night lengthened, the Trick n Treaters became scarier and scarier.  They almost scared me and the kids sometimes ran away crying.  But they always came back the next time new ones were at the door.  It was their job to wave good-bye and shut the door, a job they took very seriously and did very well.  They were excellent little chicks all night despite the fact they missed their afternoon nap.  

Great costumes Brooke.  I think you won Best Costumes in Whitehorse this year!

October 31, 2015

Our first snowfall that will stay, I'll bet.  Usually our first snowfall that stays is October 11 (SR's birthday).  Quite a bit later this year.  And just in time for the Trick or Treaters on Hallowe'en night!

Hallowe'en

Today - the day before Hallowe'en - the kids are going to the Daycare Hallowe'en party.  Brooke designed and made their costumes and they couldn't be cuter.  Above, Alanna is getting dressed in her costume.

Emerson had to take a book break in the midst of his dressing.  Wheels of the Bus is his favourite.

And finally, they are ready.  

I think they will be the hit of the party!

                                                      Emerson                                                               Alanna

Their comb was bound to come off their head.  Oh well, they look just as cute and we can always use our imagination if we want it back on their head.

A Beautiful October Afternoon

Beautiful fall day today.  We all took the kids out for a walk, something they love to do now that they CAN walk.

The dogs came too.  Notice they are linked.  Timber doesn't always listen to commands.  Lily does.  Tie them together and when you say come, Lily drags Timber along.  It makes life so much easier.

In the picture below it looks like little Timber is coming out of SR's back pocket!!

It began with SR & I walking with little Alanna between us.  Let's swing her I said.  One, two, three, SWING.  She laughed and laughed and laughed.  We did it again and again, then I moved on to Emerson.

Above, he is anticipating a big swing.  He loved it as much as Alanna.

SR's Birthday

I can't believe a forgot to post SR's birthday dinner photos.  Alanna got all dressed up for the occasion.  She looked like a little princess.

Emerson got dressed up as well.

We had a - I would say lovely but this was the day my oven decided Not to work properly - so I will say we had a dinner.  Above SR is getting ready to blow out a wee ice cream cake, which the kids, especially Alanna, loved!

And kids will be kids.  They are not always perfect as seen the in photo above.  (But they are still cute!)

Saturday October 10

This is a first. I had the twins overnight this weekend while their parents had a well deserved rest at the cabin - baby free.  Yes, went there Saturday afternoon and left Sunday afternoon and I survived!  And so did they!  As you can see Alanna is now into fashion and shoes are a big part of that.  Here she is trying to wear her Mom's boot.

Breakfast was French Toast, Cheerios and fruit.  Alanna did very well eating out of the bowl I gave her.

Emerson, not so much.  He was trying the dog method of putting your whole face in the bowl.  Easier and quicker to get the food in your mouth I suppose.  Then Alanna would look at him, smile and try the same thing.  All in all, we had a fun time together - eating, reading books, playing games and napping.