Grandpa Al's 90th Birthday!!

Wow...what an amazing accomplishment to live to be 90 years old....and still have the sharpest memory, mean card-playing skills, and a sense of humor!! We flew down to LA last weekend to celebrate Ty's grandfather. It was a wonderful occasion organized by Deb, and although too short, we got to spend some quality time with the family. Tyee's family came all the way from Quebec to celebrate and it was so nice to spend time with them, in addition to our Jeddie and Grandpa Al. Thanks as usual to my amazing family for taking care of our kids.....Annie, mom and dad with Jacky moon, and Moo and Chels with Elie. I think the kids enjoyed their special "alone" time getting spoiled rotten :)

Dear Jacky Moon.....

Dearest Jacky Moon,

I decided to write you a letter today........in the midst of some particularly hard times we have been having lately. I am not quite sure if its the gloomy weather, the never-ending cold, or some rush of testosterone, but you have giving your dad and I a run for our money lately. You don't like to sleep, you don't like to eat, but you love to sass and talk back and argue about a lot. But that is not the point of this letter right now. The point is for me to tell you how proud I am of the person you are, and are becoming.

Nobody (except maybe your daddy) can make me feel more special or loved as you do. You tell me at least one time EVERYDAY that you love me and that I am beautiful. It's still the most sincere, non-manipulative thing you do on a daily basis. No matter where and when we are outdoors, you find a flower (or some other nature nugget) to pick for me. Even if its raining and freezing, you are always keeping your eye out for a flower, leaf, or pine cone that you can find and give me. Every picture you start to color, necklace you start to bead, or project you are working on is for me (or at least it starts that way until I can convince you to make it for someone else :)). You remember everything, the good and the bad, and hold me to my word. You sit there and take it when your sister is hitting and biting you. You are sweet to your dog, for the most part, and give her lots of hugs. You can play by yourself for hours, especially with your trains and cars. You make friends easily, and are a very physically affectionate little guy. You are able to see and love everyone for their best...you treat kids in wheelchairs with love and respect and you are not shy or scared of them. You listen to your basketball teacher and try your best (most of the time). You LOVE your preschool and all of your friends and teachers there. You say "Good morning!" to everyone that passes by when we are out for a bike ride or walk. YOu say please and thank you, 99% of the time.

I am so proud of you my son, and am so excited to watch you grow.

With all my love,
Your mama

Christmas Eve

What an amazing Christmas Eve we had this year. We went to church as a family with Moo, and then went out to Grammie and Pa's for a wonderful, intimate dinner. All five (plus 2 wonderful spouses) of "us kids" and our kids, and mom, dad and Fawn's mom, Jeanne were there. It was such a wonderful night, that went by WAY too fast. Thank you to my mom and dad for a most fabulous night!!