Merry Christmas!!!!

Here's a little holiday fun! We hope you have a wonderful Christmas!

http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/P33FIGFBn8wPzNz5

Conversations With A Three Year Old

Mommy: "So Dawson did you have fun at Sunday School this morning."
Dawson: "Yep"
Mommy: "So what did you learn about?"
Dawson: "We talked about Jesus and the Bean stock and how Jesus is a big giant that goes Fe Fi Fo Fum"

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This dialogue occurred as we were unpacking our nativity scene. Dawson removed the baby Jesus from the box and placed it on the carpet in front of him. Gazing down at the baby in the manger he said, " Oh baby Jesus, you are such a cutie, cutie, cutie!" He then proceeded to play a game of peek-a-boo with the figurine!!
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Dawson: "Mommy what happened to your eyes?"
Mommy: "Nothing, is there something wrong with them"
He then proceeds to run his finger under my eyes and along the sides.
Dawson: "Their cracking like an egg"
(I'm thinking I need to start using eye cream, yikes I'm only 30)

Dawson The Lion at the Children's Christmas Party at the Mall!

What Are The Chances.....

What are the chances? Have you ever caught yourself saying that? I know I have many times when little things happen that are unplanned and out of the ordinary. Like the time I was wishing I could buy a new phone for the basement, one with caller display, so I didn't have to deal with telemarketers while I was downstairs playing with the boys. We had just moved into our new place and money was a little tight. I knew it was a want, not a need, so I refrained from purchasing it. The next day on my way to the hairdresser I decided to stop at a garage sale. And guess what I happened to find? A phone just like what I had been hoping for and it was only a dollar! Or the time we were in Calgary shopping at one of Dave and Dawson's favorite stores and just happened to run into my Aunt, Uncle and cousins there! It was such a blessing to get to visit with them, even for a few minutes.

Today, I had another experience like that. Let me rewind a bit. Last night, as I was sitting in a women's ministry meeting, I thought to myself, my toes are cold I really should get a pair of little slippers that I can tuck into my purse and take with me when I'm out at a friends house. This morning I was attending my Wednesday morning mom's group and we were having a gift exchange. When I opened my gift I was amazed to find a beautiful pair of hand made slippers, the perfect size to slip in my purse! What are the chances!

Over time I have learned that all of these things in life, whether they be physical things I receive or a chance encounter with a friend do not happen by chance. They are God's way of telling me that He loves me and cares even about the silly little things that my heart desires. God knows I can afford to go out and buy myself a pair of slippers if I really want them. But, I believe He chose to use this gift from an anonymous person to remind me of the kind of God He is!

I hope that you are reminded of that this Christmas season as we take time to celebrate a Saviour who cares for EVERY aspect of our lives.

(Psa 37:4-6) Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart.

A Pirate Says ARRR!!

About a month ago, (I'm slightly behind) Dawson celebrated his 3rd birthday!!! We celebrated in two very special ways. On his actual birthday, November 11 (lucky boy will always have the day off on his birthday), we went with a bunch of family to Calgary for the day.

The boys at the zoo

Lunch at McDonalds

Auntie Becky and Uncle Mark surprised Dawson with a trip to Build-A-Bear.

He chose a horse, which he named Lucy. Here he is stuffing his stuffy!

Kissing Lucy's heart before it gets tucked inside

Cooper loved the rides at the mall!

The Sunday following his birthday we had a bunch of Dawson's friend over for a party. Dawson has wanted to have a pirate themed party for about 6 months now, ever since he saw a picture of a pirate ship cake. He had a great time at his party.

The long awaited pirate ship cake

Opening presents

Pinata fun!

Happy Birthday Baby Mary

Yesturday morning (Nov.22) at 4:04am a new member of our family made an arrival. Mary Louise is baby #4 for my brother Andrew and his wife Rachael!! Mary is the first name of both Rachael’s mom and grandmother and Louise is my mom's middle name. It's so exciting to have another little girl in the family!!!

A very proud big brother Ryan

Big sister Ella

Big brother Adam

Christmas Traditions....Part 1

It's almost the middle of November, so it's time to start thinking about Christmas!!! We have several traditions for the holiday season and packing shoes boxes for Samaritans Purse is one of them. I was wondering how Dawson would do this year with the whole buying toys and then not being able to play with them, but he totally surprised me. Once we explained what we were doing and why we were doing it, he didn't ask once if he could keep the toys for himself! He told Dave and I that there is a little boy out there who is really sad, but once he gets this shoebox he will be really happy! What a great way to teach the spirit of giving!

We found a great little Veggie Tales movie clip that really put things in a preschoolers perspective:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cC8-wpMrzBE&feature=related

I told Dawson we were going to build shoe boxes and he insisted on wearing safety glasses!

Dawson's favorite addition to the box

Little Packers

Conversations With A Two Year Old...

Dawson: "Mommy, Coopy and me are going up to my bedroom to have a visit" (this is their new favorite thing, they like to lock themselves in Dawson's room and hang out without me). You stay downstairs and visit with the....... (long pause as he scans the room) and visit with the bananas!"

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This conversation occurred as Dave, Dawson, and cousin Steven were cruising car dealerships looking at vehicles (a favorite activity for them all).

Steven: "That's a nice truck, but I don't like the fender flairs"
Dawson: "oh it's okay Steven, you'll learn to like them" (hmm wonder who he's heard that one from)

The Adventures of Batman and Robin

A little pumpkin carving

Cousin Sven (aka Steven) joined in on the fun!

The finished product

Hey Grandpa and Grandma, who's at the door?

Trick or Treat

Boy Robin is on a mission

The team of candy questing superheroes

Batbaby is on the prowl

We had a great time and collected way to much candy!! The quote of the night went to Dawson, as he was trick or treating in our neighborhood. He said, "I love this vacation, this is the way to go!" I don't know where this kid comes up with this stuff!

Trucks and Trees

Our boys love trucks. (I don't know a little boy who doesn't) So, the past couple of days have been especially eventful for Dawson and Cooper.

On Tuesday morning, Uncle Mark stopped by. Mark is a Lacombe County Cop. He came dressed in uniform and driving his police truck. Dawson got to sit in the truck and turn on the lights. When he saw those flashing lights all he could say was, "oh wow, look at that". He was clearly impressed!

This morning we had a visit from another truck. This time a Monster Truck (as Dawson would call it) technically it's called Unimog. This Truck belongs to a tree moving company and we had them come in to move a tree in order to make room to park our Trailer.

Picking up the tree

Moving it to it's new hole

Grandpa A and Cooper taking in the action

The tree in it's new home

Conversations With A Two Year Old

This is a conversation I overheard between Dawson and Cooper (okay Dawson did all the talking) while they were playing in the living room.


Dawson: "You're my bestest baby. I bought you from the baby store. You came in a box just like the Igglepiggle we bought from the grocery store. You were really heavy."

Just in case you were wondering where babies came from, now you know!!

Trouble With A Capital "T"

There is never a dull moment around our house...

Last Saturday morning, Dave and I awoke to some ruckus coming from the kitchen. When I went downstairs this is what I found. I said, "Dawson what do you think you are doing?" He replied, "Hi mommy, I'm making a pirate ship cake. My birthday's coming real, real soon!"

What a turkey!
And Cooper is not far behind him. This is his latest trick....

Is There Anything Cuter....

Then little boys in matching Superman PJ's!!! These ones were made with love by Grandma Peters!

Parties, Parties

On the 19th, we had some of Dave's family over to celebrate Cooper's first birthday! Cooper thoroughly enjoyed all of the attention, not to mention the cake!

Cooper and his turtle pull apart cake (made from cupcakes, gotta love Betty Crocker)

Now this boy loves his sweets

He was definitely the center of attention

A baby covered in sticky icing, such a temptation for poor Kimchi

And More Parties

The weekend following Cooper's birthday, my Aunt and Uncle hosted a little family reunion at their beautiful new house. We took this opportunity to celebrate Cooper's birthday with the Peters/Rachar side of the family! It was a great weekend filled with visiting, dirt biking, horseback riding, and eating!! Thanks Darryl and Laurie for hosting! Here are a few pictures from the weekend.

Cooper's Farmyard cake!

He clearly enjoyed it

Cooper hanging out with Great Grandma

Dawson's first ride on a horse (w/Destiny)

Auntie Laurie takes Cooper for his first ride

Fun on the dune buggy