Christmas Fun!

We had a great Christmas! Started it off with going to a live outdoor Nativity put on by our church for free for the public.  It was a great experience for Parks to see the story in real life. 

Christmas Eve night Parks and I went with some of Matt's family to a chinese buffet restaurant, its their family tradition, and was very yummy. Afterwards, went to Matt's parents house and played games...when i got home and put Parks to bed, it was time for Santa to make his visit (so mommy could go to bed:). Matt had a pretty quiet night at work, so he wasn't too tired when he got home in the morning. It was the best feeling ever watching Parks open his presents, we were so excited for him.

We had our traditional eggs benedict for Christmas breakfast followed with the yummiest turkey dinner complete with a fresh (never frozen fresh) 30lb turkey, that we are still having leftovers with:) Rob and Tammy are visiting now with their kids for a few days. We've been having fun in the snow and Parks couldn't be happier to have his 4 year old cousin Zach around to play with, they get along great!

Baby Tessa is HERE!!

Born December 29th weighing 7 lbs 4oz
Tessa Potvin decided to join the world 5 days early. From what I hear everyone is doing great! It is sooooo hard to be so far away right now, but we'll get our snuggles in February:) We love you guys!

December is HERE!

This is my most favorite month!  On December 1st we put up our Christmas tree, first time in our new house AND in 2 years!  It brings such a peaceful spirit to our home, i love it.  Parks was able to help decorate the tree by hanging some ornaments.  It was so cute just watching him.  I am so grateful for such a loving husband and son.  They are the best part of my day.  This Christmas Matt has to work both Christmas Eve night and Christmas Day night, but we have him home all day on those days, which to me is the better part of the deal:)  This Christmas Matt and I are trying so hard to not make it all about how many gifts we get, but more about simple family traditions and the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ.  Luckily our church puts on a live outdoor Nativity Pageant in Calgary that really gets you in the Spirit of Christmas.  Our Christmas this year will be fairly quiet as it is not the "Hill" family year.  The Hill family is so big and spread out that we alternate Christmas' with the inlaws every other year.  We couldn't make it home to Ottawa because of Matt's work schedule, but we are flying out in February for our Christmas together (my parents are actually going to keep their Christmas tree up until than:) PLUS we will get to meet our newest neice that is due to be born Jan 2nd.  I am sooo excited to see my brother and Robyn as new parents!

November

On November 6th Parks and I flew home to Ottawa for 2 weeks! It was such a nice trip, my mom's birthday was 3 days after we arrived, it was so nice to be home for that AND my sister-in-laws baby shower was also during our visit:)  Parks and I went swimming alot with Nana.  Sadly Parks got pretty sick during our first week...throwing up and the whole bit, but he was on the mend towards our second week thankfully.  I was treated to 2 sushi lunches that were absolutely soooo delicious! I love all you can eat sushi bars:)  We went to the science museum with Parks (and by we i mean with his Nana and Papa, obviously:))  He loved seeing the huge trains...he even thought one of them was 'Toby'.  We visited with  good friends, shopped, ate fantastic meals and visited the fish store and pet stores.  It was alot of fun.  Parks got sick again a few days before we had to leave.  It was a very long plane ride home.

He was sooo happy to see his Nana, truly a priceless moment.

With his pal Uncle Jeffy (Its a love/hate relationship:)

These two are inseperable, bestest buds.

Playing with his bestest friend Ava

While i was away Matt had his 6 month firefighter exam, and did very well on it.  No more studying for a few more months now thankfully.  Hunting was successful for all the boys, Matt shot a very large moose again...its the year of the moose for our family.  His dad, brother and friend all shot bucks and had a great end of season together.  

Matt with his first 'bull' moose

Matt's dad with his 1st buck of the season

Matt's brother with his 1st buck of the season

The Successful Boys!