Christmas Dinner at Julie & Greg's

Christmas dinner was at Julie & Greg's for my family... delicious as always... I brought dessert, Blackforrest stuffed cupcakes!

Aaron and Lilah checking out the presents.... Jeanie & Dad
Bryan and Greg checking out the new Ipod Nano and Ipod Touch
Mom and Elliott
Dad and Grandma
Greg and Julie (with baby Lehner)
Bryan and I
Aaron and Steph
Lilah on her new tricycle (from Grandpa & Jeanie)
Checking out the new toys

Lunch with Elanne

Bryan's mom came over for Christmas lunch... I burned the Tomato soup by accident... I still can't believe they both ate it saying it taste fine.... I didnt even finish mine!Me and Elanne

Christmas Morning

Christmas morning at our house... it was kind of exciting seeing all the presents that were there for just the 2 of us... this is my first Christmas morning spent without my family! I think this was Bryan's favorite Christmas gift... his new Xbox360
A really cool CD holder given to Bryan from his mom and sister Sarah
My new spice rack from Bryan (gotta love that costco!) I got alot of cooking stuff for xmas... its great! Over all we ended up getting a new toaster, waffle iron, saute pan, lots of utensils and more bakeware!
Surrounded!

Christmas Eve with Bryan's Family

Bryan and I had Christmas Eve dinner at Joan's with the family... it was great to see everyone! Bryan's sisters Lorissa and Sarah... we finally got a pic everyone was happy with I think!
After the dinner Bryan and I stopped by his brother John's place for a visit!

Count Down to Christmas....

Bryan and I had our very first Open House for Christmas this past friday night! It was alot of fun and I can't believe how many people showed up! Thanks to everyone who came, it was a great time... maybe we will do it again next year! I did some baking for the party... my first batch wasn't that great... who knew that 1/4 cup of ginger would be too much??!
Wrapping presents... this has been an endless task...
Nap time!
A visit with Nana... Mom brought her Christmas Cards from the family!

Friday Night with Bryan & Holly

Computer central... or our kitchen table? haha....

Here comes Christmas

We finished decorating the Christmas tree today... it was quite nice with all the snow outside, it actually felt like christmas! Thanks to mom for finding this great free tree and then donating the decorations to go on it!

Unfortunately due to all the snow today our dinner plans to with Bryan's family (John, Stephanie, Jeremy, Joan, Lorissa & Ali) had to be cancelled... I think John thought we were bailing on him... haha, here is the cake I made to prove that we werent!! :)

My 29th Birthday!

We all went out to Greek Islands for my birthday... it was so yummy... Aaron and Steph joined us also, I thought I had a picture of them on my camera but I guess Julie does on her's... I will add them later! Wow, one more year until 30...

Sunday... chores? work?

I got to spend some time with Aaron Stephanie and Lilah doing family portraits on sunday... they turned out so nice... a fall theme... can't show them of course, but I am sure everyone will see them soon (from Steph and Aaron).
While I was out doing the photo shoot, Bryan was hard at work in the yard... he is quite good at this! Raked up all the leaves, trimmed and mowed the lawn... meanwhile keeping Tag entertained... now thats talent!

Happy Halloween!

Wow what a Halloween! After living at homes over the years that have very few kids show up, having 80+ kids show up at the door was a bit overwhelming! We eventually had to bring in the pumpkins and turn out the lights around 7:30 when we were starting to run low on candy!
Bryan working on his pumpkin... Tag got to stay in for the night, he sure was happy about that!Showing off the pumpkin! (I did mine earlier... the kids started coming about 5:30 and Bryan wasnt home till 6!)

Day 1 of Bryan's commute to Burnaby from Abby

Well, as you can see from the picture... he didnt quite make it! After making Bryan breakfast and sending him on his way my cell starts ringing and its Bryan, with a broken down car. Thanks again to Dad for getting us BCAA! We got the car towed to Greg's shop... its all good now... hope day 2 goes better!

Finally Moved In!!!

Wow what a long weekend this turned out to be! But the move is finished! Bryan and I have moved in together... its been awesome so far to have him around since we have been doing the semi long distance thing for almost a year now!

Nadia and Greg packing the truck... Saturday morning... bright and early! Mom, me and Nadia moving funiture out of the house...
Following behind Mom making sure all is good!
Nadia and I stopped off to get donuts for everyone... by the time we got to the house everything was almost unloaded!
Sunday Kaos... Mom and I drive into West Van to pick up the dog house (good deal on craig's list). Bryan calls me up to tell me Budget screwed up and doesnt have the truck he reserved! Long story short, Mom and I drive back to Abby, pick up a truck at Clearway and head back to White Rock... It was just Bryan, Mom and I to move all his stuff out of the appartment!!
Calling all the family to the rescue! Luckily everyone was available on short notice to come help unload the truck at the new house!

Lilah... not much help, but looking cute as always climbing on furniture!
Us infront of the house! Finally done... we are home!
Special Thanks.... First and formost to my mom who helped through every stage.... Moving me and Bryan... Picking up Dog Houses, lending credit cards for renting trucks... and an awesome housewarming gift of Costco goods!! Thank you soooooo much!

Everyone else.... in no particular order:

Elliot... thank you so much for the use of your truck and helping to set up the dog pen! Tag loves it!

Nadia... thank you for being such a willing participant! I know I helped you move 3 times... but still, much appreciated!! I may just need more help with organizing the house!

Greg & Julie... thanks for dropping everything to come help on short notice on both moving days! The favor will definately be repaid!

Aaron & Stephanie... thank you for jumping in so willingly with 45min notice! It was great to have Aaron's expertise in furniture moving!

Dad & Jeanie... thank you for all the work on the house that you did before we moved in, Bryan and I couldnt have asked for a nicer first place together... we love it! And of course, thank you for letting us move in!!

Overall... the move went very well... thanks again everyone, we will have a big Celebratory/House Warming dinner soon!

Pumpkin Patch

Getting ready for Halloween... Julie and I went to pick out pumpkins today at the pumpkin patch.... poor Julie couldnt bend over to get her's... baby Lehner has been causing issues for her back lately!