Christmas Tree 2010

We were going to wait until next weekend to get our tree but we're pretty busy! Plus I realized that today was the first Sunday of Advent, so it seemed fitting. I was so happy when we woke up to some snow on the ground yesterday and some falling through the morning. Getting a Christmas tree with even a little bit of snow on the makes it seem SO much more festive!

We headed out to Benjamin Tree Farm not too far from our house - the same place we've been getting our tree for several years now. Luckily the wind had died down and it was quite a nice afternoon!

Not impressed in his snowsuit.

Or on the "sled" with Logan.

It doesn't really look like anyone is having any fun!

Finding the perfect tree.

Jacob experiencing snow for the first time!

Logan is looking slightly concerned here...maybe about Scott's abilities to cut down the tree?

The pictures that follow are a failed attempt at a picture of the two of them together...

Lumberjack Scott

It's down! Logan is so excited!

Logan teaching Jacob all about snow.

Mmmm, a snowball.

Brainfreeze!

Bringing the tree back to the van.

Warming up with some cookies and juice.

Ahhh! So cute!

So we brought it home and put it up yesterday and then we put the lights on during the boys' nap this afternoon and we all decorated it together when they woke up.

Scott putting up the lights.

Our Christmas balls from Bronners. My grandma and grandpa Dolson gave me mine when I was 2 or 3. Scott also got his in his childhood. When my mom was in the States earlier this year, she picked up balls for the boys as well. I'm so happy we all have them. They look great!

I made Logan some hot chocolate for the first time, he loved it!

Jacob was pretty cranky this afternoon, but he was there!

Logan wanted to be the one to put the star on the top...he could almost reach.

He was so excited to watch it go up.

Jacob checking out one of his ornaments.

Hanging it on the tree with daddy's help.

Logan hanging an ornament. Logan was totally into decorating the tree, he loved it!

Helping daddy find the next one to hang up.

Not only was he cranky but lazy too. He couldn't even pick up his cup.

The finished product...

With lights.

Without.

The tree looks great and we had a lot of fun decorating it!

Making Music

Last weekend my mom took Logan to a kid's concert with the KW Symphony. Mom reported back that he had a great time. They got to listen to some music and stories and then try out some of the instruments.

Playing the chimes.

Playing the bass drum.

And the xylophone.

This kid loves music. Grandma has a couple more of these concerts to take Logan to, he'll love them!

Swinging

I took this pics at the park on the weekend of Logan pushing Jacob in the swing. They are so great!






It's nice to be able to look at pictures like these and remind myself that someday they will likely playing together and that they will hopefully be great friends eventually. Even if Logan is constantly bugging Jacob right now...

New Things to Blog About

I think I'm going to try blogging about some of the food that I've been cooking. I've been trying lots of new recipes and like some of them and don't like some of them. I get them from lots of different places so sometimes when I want to make something again, I have a hard time finding it. Maybe if I blog the recipes, they'll all be in a central place so I can find them. Plus, some of you might find something to try!

So we're trying to cook with and eat less meat. I'm also trying to ensure that the kids are introduced and used to a wide variety of foods and flavours. It's a challenge sometimes to make meals that are meatless but filling enough and that aren't too spicy for the boys.

Tonight we had "Miami Rice and Bean Burritos".

1 cup canned chicken broth
2/3 cup mild salsa
3/4 cup uncooked long grain rice
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 can (16 ounces) pinto beans, rinsed and drained
8 flour tortilla (7 inch diameter)

Bring chicken broth and salsa to a boil over high heat. Stir in rice. Reduce heat to low; simmer, cover 20 minutes or until rice is tender.

Heat oil in large saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic, cumin and allspice; cook and stir 3 minutes.

Add beans and vinegar; cook and stir 2 minutes or until heated through. Coarsely mash bean mixture with potato masher

Preheat oven to 350F.

Spread about 3 tablespoons bean mixture on bottom half of each tortilla; top with rice mixture. Roll tortillas to enclose filling.

Place burritos in baking dish. Cover; bake 20 minutes or until heated through. Garnish as desired.

A tortilla before being rolled up.

Ready to go in the oven. (I had some extra rice so I just put it on top).

I served them with green onions, salsa and sour cream as garnish and carrots and green peppers on the side. Scott and I really liked them; Logan didn't say they were yucky, but didn't gobble them up either; and Jacob, well he eats pretty much anything.

They had lots of flavour. I think next time if I'm making them for the kids, I'll use a bit less cumin as they were a little spicy. A few times when Jacob took a bite he spit it out pretty quick and I think it was likely the spice.

They were also quite filling, I guess it was the beans!

To the park...

I've been finding it really hard to get outside now that the weather is cooler. Jacob is happy in the stroller as long as we are moving but otherwise he wants out. But since he isn't walking, it's hard to let him out when it's chilly out. His little hands and knees get so cold.

We've been finding other things to do but Logan does miss going outside. When Scott was home this weekend, the weather wasn't too bad so we decided to go to the park; Logan was delighted!

All bundled up. Doesn't his new coat look warm?

On the way to the park.

The construction on the street near our house is almost done. It's very pretty.

Looking a little stunned.

"Hey! What's over there?"

Deep in thought? Or just squinting from the sun?

Just swingin'

This guy LOVES the swings.

An attempt at the kids going down the slide together...a bit awkward.

Getting ready...

Wheeeee

Stopped, just in time.

Pretty berries.

A lone leaf.

All comfy after fun at the park.