an island christmas

Boxing Day celebrations were held at Candace and Paul's on the sweet little Prince Edward Island. Four generations of Jorgensens gathered for laughs, gifts, turkey, ham, scootering, roller blading and some perfect plum pudding. It was a lovely afternoon.

 A quiet cousin cuddle.

 Celebrating.

 Jorgensen man generation one and Jorgensen little man generation four.

Smiles over surprises.

 A big hug to Grammie for Rollerblades. A definite highlight to Kate's Christmas. In fact she's downstairs now zooming around the basement as I type this.

 Speaking of Rollerblades - this looks like a perfect opportunity to try them out.

Speaking of Grammie hugs this one is in celebration of receipt of a racing scooter.

Christmas 2015 and all I got is this lousy hipster. Just kidding.

Our stay was cut a little short as we headed home Boxing Day night in our effort to avoid driving in a post Christmas snow storm. Good we did as we did get quite a pile. Yesterday was so much fun with the long awaited snow.  Picture snow fights, sledding through our streets behind Papa's 4 wheeler and jumping naked in snow piles and then in the hot tub with the kids. A perfectly silly night.

OK. I think it's safe to say Christmas 2015 is complete. Two thumbs up.
CAKE

christmas 2015

OK. Not much to report other than a sweet calm Christmas morning with my main squeezes. A little throw up, a little Gravol, a little hyper Elliott, a little sunshine, a little plus degree weather, a little napping, a little playing, a little friendship, a little family  = a whole lot of merriment. You guys rock. 

Four hours of Christmas Eve fun!

Colourful clay and a day in pyjamas.

Twas the night before the night before Christmas and we had a lovely evening with Grandparents and Great Grandparents. Paul and Janice must have had a busy day with the kids because Kate snuggled in pretty close for a lot of the evening.

Our beauty.

My favourite power couple. 

Our buddy Roya.

This is what a Christmas Eve consequence looks like. Heart breaking but well earned.

That face. Love.

Siblings. Love.

Favourite Child mug. Thank you Mom - although I already knew.

Oh the enthusiasm. It's utterly contagious.

Another Barbie! And it's her first "delicate" one.

Thumbs up to American Girl dance suit from Aunty Rho and fam.

And our BMX racer. Not sure which boy in this house is most excited for this little red beauty. Best thing about this Christmas both boys got to get outside and give the bike a good test drive.

Love to all! PEI tomorrow yahoo! CAKE out

all the way home i'll be warm

Jorgensen Christmas number one has already come and gone in this house. Avoiding those annoying black out periods, my parents traveled here last week for a last minute(ish) visit and celebration. Their visit coincided with the kids final week of school including a most memorable Christmas concert.

The kids were thrilled to have Grandma Sherri and Grumpy George to play with and generally abuse.

 Puzzles and puppets.

 Ring around the Rosy with a pocket full of posies and a few possy.

Battle. Little did Grandpa know just how many weapons this kid of ours has.

Taking in some local festivities.

 An early Christmas celebration.

 Pajamas and presents. What could be better?

Awesome, our very own snow plow. Just about big enough to do the job.

 Keeping Grandma busy and making some clothes and accessories for Kate's new American gal.

To say this guy is our Christmas turkey is an absolute understatement. I will be utterly shocked if Santa visits this kid. Joking (ish)

 And then there is our Christmas Angel.

 The reason for the season.

We didn't just get up to holiday hoopla this past week, my parents and Cody also went house hunting as my mom and dad are planning on moving East this summer. And wouldn't you know it - success! As of June 1st, 2016 we will have two and a half new neighbours. Technically one neighbourhood over, but I'd guess less than a 10 minute walk from our place. Wow! We're excited but can't quite imagine what it's going to be like to have family so close. Sorry Rhonda :(

As we quickly approach Christmas and my Mother in Law's seafood chowder we have lots of festivities planned - Lights, dinners, play-dates, wine dates. I hope you all have lots planned as well.

Enjoy! Merry Christmas! Cheers!
Aimee

surprise

I'm back, ye of little faith: Mom, Rhonda.

I admit this blog has been slighted as of late and that has weighed heavily. I have suffered from blogger block. I think the main reason is that I haven't been taking photos. Can you imagine? The year is 2015 and I have not been taking photos. Well I am committing to change. I grabbed the big Canon yesterday and I managed to capture a few shots that I would be remiss not to share.

Yesterday marked our first snow day of this school year and I have to admit, I loved it. Thursday evening when the storm began, I jumped into Cody's truck and went to grab a tree. It was the perfect activity for the morning. The kids had a great time and did a beautiful job. They already love reminiscing over each ornament that they unwrap. It's quite darling. They have genuine love for each - their own ornaments, mine and even the ones I have inherited from my mom, dad and grandfather.

Other than the hour of trim trimming the kids spent the entire day outside in the snow.  I believe we have ten little snow men in the front yard and not a single inch of new fallen snow remains.

A handsome profile.

Celebrating their favourite time of the year.  I voted for summer.

I forced the photo but not the chummy love.

And in other news - this was taken yesterday after a few bites of an apple and a few hours before it popped out.  Mixed emotion on my part. She's all gappy now. Boo. And one of those big crooked, bumpy big guys will soon appear. Her tiny teeth were so perfect. I'm not very sentimental but I'm mourning this loss.

So, there we have it, a quick early December update. Guilt trips do occasionally work. Now to get these kids bundled up and ready to tackle another snow day.

Much love - Aimee and the gang

home work

I'm going to use the pool as my excuse for a complete - drop off the Earth - lack of blogs in the past weeks. In truth we have been having a pile of fun with friends in the pool and hot tub. It was just this past weekend that Cody finally turned down the heat. Now the kids head back to indoor swimming lessons and train for the adventures next summer will bring.

Let's catch up:
- So we've opened and pretty much closed the pool.
- The kids swimming is amazing. And they've become terrific snorkelers as well.
- We've made it through first day school jitters and are steadily seeing happy and social kiddos.
- I joined the PSSC - Parent School Support Committee.
- I got a job and I started that job!
- Elliott started gymnastics.
- Kate started a dance class.
- Cody is under 177 pounds - woohoo!
- Kate and Elliott are doing and loving homework. I'm making up more work because they're blowing through it so quickly.
- Kate's reading is coming along in leaps and bounds. It's the most beautiful progress I've ever witnessed.

 My best besties (awaiting sod).

 My best besties being the best.

 Ze pool.

 Ze babies having the time of their lives.

 First day of Grade 1.

 Elliott's first day of Kindergarten (two days later).

 Ms. Muscles our under water explorer.

Two thumbs up from Mr. Jr. Jorgensen showing off his excellence in behaviour award.

Tomorrow marks the kids' first Terry Fox Run. A few tears were shed from Cody and me explaining the beauty of that man and the celebration that they'll be taking part of tomorrow. Do us proud guys.

See you later September. Hello October.
CAKE

first day photos

If you've been on Facebook lately you've probably seen a plethora of First Day of School photos. Those cute tanned faces in new shoes and gear. If you haven't ... maybe it's because you're in the East. WTF? Why are our kids not back in the school with the rest of this country's kids? I'm ready. My kids are ready.  We are exhausted. We are broke. We have exhausted the parks, pools, splash pads and attractions. We are starting to drink in the afternoons. Yes, by we, I mean me. 

 

Look at these nutters I went on the Tilt of Whirl with. Good fun!

 

Lydia and Elliott flying high in Kensington PEI.

Our annual visit to Butterfly World. Cody's first. It was Elliott's birthday and it was a blast - water bumper boats, ball pits and go-karts.

One huge marshmallow roast at the conclusion of Kate's week at Camp Centennial.

Camp Centennial's munchkin group.  Their ski for the parent night was a sweet take on Annie's - It's a Hard Knock Life.
 

Our camper butterfly having the night of her life. Elliott eating marshmallows.

 

Cody's team placed second at a CrossFit team competition this August.

 

A very large Quahog find at a new-to-us NB beach.

The kids flying high at a friend's pool. 

An artistic moment brought to you by me and Elliott.

Another afternoon and another park.

Last but not least - the kids practicing their intro ramp courtesy of Papa. They're already dreaming of bigger and better jumps to come.

And on the pool news front. We are close. Very close. I'm talking days away close. Tomorrow sod and electrician. Friday pool liner and water trucks. Yes I said water trucks.  Oh hooray! I have enjoyed our trades' people and professionals but as with any large project I'm ready for them to go be with their own families. I do hate closing the blind when I need to pee.

I'll post the final product when it is indeed final.

Cheers to all. Yes, I do have a wine glass in my left hand as I doggedly type with my right.
Aimee