Yesterday our son Paul and Jennifer and the girls arrived at the airport around noon. We were all there to greet them (sorry no pictures taken) and they all spent the rest of the day here. We ordered Chinees food because Paul loves that. Then later on we opened gifts.

Can you tell they are cousins?

Samantha 5 and Anneka 6

Samantha Yvonne Marie with Auntie Yvonne!
Here baby Eliana is stealing the show!
The three cousins on Daddy's computer!

Don't they look alike?
Sammie got a pink dress from Oma
"Just what I always wanted!" she said.
More gifts for Jennifer

Christmas day

Christmas day was spent over at Ron and Lynne's place

Ron had made this four by eight feet table that

was able to seat all of us 14 with ease.

We all brought something along and

the turkey was cooked by Lynne

her first turkey ever and it was great!

Thanks Ron and Lynne for a great time!

Okay Monica wait until we are all seated will you?
Okay than I won't have anything at all!

And the children have so much fun!
Anneka is having a wrestling match with Logan
When Evan is coming to the rescue!

Christmas Eve!

Here we are just about to start our fondue dinner

I think Renee is telling this yoke about..........

Anneka is getting something she has always wanted!

Lots of fun for the grandkids!

We wish you a Merry Christmas!

http://ca.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/teddecock/album?.dir=/918fscd

Ted and I took a lot of pictures during the last weekend.
Friday the 15th we had a small get-to-gether at our place to celebrate Roelie and Bill's 50th wedding anniversary. They are my employers as well as our friends.

Saturday the 16th we had our Maple Leaf Enterprises Christmas Party at the Gutenberger Gasthaus, which was extraordinary.

Sunday the 17th was the anniversary party at their son's Albert's place. Approximately 60 friends and family came over.

About this week

This week has been a full week with many exciting things happening. Our #1 niece Monica (she insist to be called like that) arrived last Sunday evening. Her time in Winnipeg has been spent between us and her brother time and his little family, his wife Sandra and boys Logan and Lucas. (Just in case you are interested!)

The last two evenings we have been walking around in Wal-Mart, she wants us to believe that Wal-Mart is not for her, so we let her, even though she could not believe she was able to get leather gloves for $9.99.

Last night we were there with Yvonne, and did we find bargains. I actually bought a jacket for my granddaughter Sammie. Since Paul and Jennifer are coming up from the south (NC). When she is done with it, Aila will be able to wear it next year, how much? Would you believe $14.99?

I was able to pick up some tops for my grandsons. Problem is every time I go there I spent money, you can't leave those bargains right?

Today I have to buy some ingredients for my (according to the kids) famous cream puffs and a few (lot) of other things. We are having our big get-to-gether tomorrow evening.

On Christmas day we will be going over to Ron and Lynne's place to bless them with a large crowd, nine adults and seven little ones. We are all bringing something to take the pressure off a bit. I am so looking forward to that!

Oma goes to school concerts

It seems like yesterday we were going to our children's school Christmas concerts and now it is our grandchildren's turn.

Tuesday evening it was Hudson's at the King's School. there is something about seeing them performing and realizing how much they mean to you. I was holding our newest granddaughter Alysa, as you can tell she gave me one of her heart warming beautiful smiles! (That was a lot of fun as well!)




Than Wednesday evening it was Anneka's turn. The pictures did not turn out that well, but she is right in the middle of the picture in her pink PJ's. When Yvonne asked Anneka: "What will you be singing at the concert?" Anneka replied: "I hate to break it to you Mommie, but we won't be singing as we are doing actions only!" What a grown-up remark coming from a six year old, hahaha! Of course I had Aila on my lap as I can never get enough of the little ones.

Have a Merry Christmas!

Yep, that is what I say to as many people as possible.

After I heard on the news that the Philadelphia Airport was forced to remove all the Christmas trees. Simply because some minority group/faith was objecting.

I have come to the point that when I hear a Christmas Carol in a store I rejoice. The same when I see homes adorned with Christmas decorations including trees with nice bright flashing lights.

I realize that Christmas trees originally had nothing to do with the birth of Christ, now it has become a sign of people actually celebrating Christmas.

Therefore, since I want Christmas to be celebrated instead of "This Holiday Season", I keep on saying: "Have a Merry Christmas". Now you are going to say why not a "Blessed". I guess, I am not that bold, hahaha!

So what do you think?

Shopping

Well, I have done my Christmas shopping, at least the majority of it anyways.
And.... I wrapped them last night, that took me three hours, yep.
I even filled the stockings 15 of them. Thank you Lord for Dollarama!
If you have ever tried doing that? Don't start, it is a killer and expensive.

I mostly buy gifts for the granchildren and they keep on coming, hahaha! The cashier in the store said: "I would not mind being on your list!"

We, the adults, pick a name. The gift has to have a limerick/poem with it, which has to be read aloud before the gift is opened. We have our little traditions and every family should have a few of them.

An other tradition we have is, that hanging on the tree are pictures of each member of our family. They are handed out at randum to the adults, (we leave the children's). The picture you get in your hands, you will have to study it and try with all your might to say something positive. All kidding aside, you might find out that there actually is one person who thinks YOU ARE GREAT!

We have a few more traditions but I'll keep that for next time. Ted thinks my blogs are too long!!!

You have traditions? Please share!

Back home again!

Here I am ready to go to work today.

Yesterday I spent home doing the odd thing around the house and unpacking my carry-on-bag. I had to see my latest grandchild so we visited Ron and Lynne for a while in the afternoon. Upon leaving there Ted noticed one of the tires of our car was soft. Luckily we carry an emergency pump with us to get us to a tire place. He came out with two new tires and a bill of close to $300.00. :(

It was very good to spent time with my sister-in-law Willy who is very lonely after the passing of my brother Dirk. We did a lot of talking, I asked her a lot of questions about my parents since she has been part of my family for over 60 years.
Strange as this might sound, I do not remember much of my childhood nor my parents.

For instance, who do I take after?
What was I like as a child?

When my brother was around we did not get to talk about things like that as he always had "more important" subjects to talk about, hahaha!

All I know and remember is me being very fond of them growing up. They left Holland for Canada when I was 12 years old and was very saddened by that.

For her to be talking about years gone by was indeed good for her. I found her to be very well adjusted to her life without her "soulmate" of 60 years, she is really trying!

Upon my arrival in Toronto as I mentioned in my last blog, I was picked up by a limousine and taken like a movie star to my niece Monica's place. We had a wonderful time together. Had our nails done, I could get used to that!! I met some of her co-workers at her work. Went shopping in the famous Eaton's centre, sat down for the yummy fattening New York fries. Then by 6:00 we met some of her friends, Caroline, Sara and Fiona for dinner, sorry I can't remember the name of the place. The transportation was all done by the Subway. What an exiting way to travel. I have always loved the city life. I could feel at home living in a hi-rise smack in the middle of downtown.

Friday morning we again took the subway to the Union station where she parked me right inside the "go" train. She is such a sweetheart, everybody should have a "daughter" like her.
I am very much looking forward seeing her at Christmas.

I was picked up by my nephew Robert, where we also had dinner on Sunday.

My other niece Nelly and her husband Peter took me to the airport after dinner in this fabulous restaurant "The Mandarin". You have never seen a buffet like that. I was thinking the entire time how much Theo/Ted would have enjoyed that, since he loves eating so much!!! There was just anything and everything. That sure made for an unforgettable ending to my trip.