Outdoor Images from "Over the Hill" of December 31,2008

Hydrnagea

Rudebekia

Cedar Waxwings

Our local squirrel

Christmas visit to Grand Falls

Justin watching Isaac "try to play" NHL 09 on the XBOX 360

Sasha and his new friend ELMO

I'm not sure what Anne is looking at.

A fabulous meal prepared by Anne.. fennel and rosemary beef tenderloin; potato, onion, mushroom mixture in phyloo pastry and string beans.

Isaac's new toystory monopoly game.

Cousins playing monopoly.

Sitting around the tree at Opa and Omas.

Clean up after the meal.

Booze cake.

Lovely table setting....wine courtesy of Anne.

Christmas "Over the Hill"

Afternoon nap.

New tool cabinet for Paul....it would be great for storing my craft supplies!!!!!

Paul opening a gift, sitting by the fire :-). The last few christmas', where we have to wake the girls, I have been making Mrs. Longwoods cinnamon rolls for us to munch on while opening gifts. I usually make fresh orange juice and coffee as well.

A pleasant surprise.



A Hallmark ornament....fisher price barn and it "moos" when you open the door. Many hours were spent playing with one like this when she was little. I have been giving the girls an ornament each year for probably the last 10 years.

Another Hallmark ornament, red tricycle. She rode one like this for hours when she was little.

Stockings too stuffed to hang....they wait on the sofa.

Waiting for the girls to wake up. We woke Brenna at 0930hr.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

May the spirit of Christmas bring you peace,

The gladness of Christmas give you hope,

The warmth of Christmas grant you love.

~Author Unknown

Merrry Christmas and the Happiest of New Years

Paul, Martina, Emma and Brenna

Winter Solstice

During this season of holidays, when debate erupts over the most non-exclusionary way to offer season's greetings, there comes one event that many people don't even notice. It comes every year and it affects everyone, whether they celebrate it or not.
At 7:04 a.m. ET (or 12:04 p.m. GMT) on Sunday Dec. 21, 2008, the northern hemisphere begins its tilt back toward the sun, marking the winter solstice in this part of the world and slowly leading to longer days.
I so dread the coming of winter, the cold, the long dark evenings. But now I know, as of today, that our days will gradually have more daylight!!!! I can see the light at the end of the tunnel :-)

Change of Command Ceremony, Saint John Police Force

Today I attended the "Change of Command Ceremony" for the Saint John Police Force. It was my first and I'm glad I took time away from shopping to go. Chief Bodechon's wife is a co-worker and friend, otherwise I probably would not have attended. As with Pauls brother, who was RCMP, you can sense a real family atmosphere within the police force.

Sent by my Australian brother-in-law

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

Twas 11 Days Before Christmas

The Elves have been busy!

The stockings are hung by the "window" with care,

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon will be here.

The baking is started, frosted and neat

awaiting family and friends to share in the treat.

The tree is all decorated with trimmings of old, and the house transformed into lights, greenery and gold.

The outdoors aglow with all colored lights .

Now all we need is a bit of the white!

A Christmas Dance

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Sashas First Birthday!!!

Isaac was quite taken with his treat bag from the birthday party.

I'll be "one " on Dec. 3rd.

I'll take a little of this and a little of that!

After eating icing and cake.




Sunday afternoon we spent at Peters celebrating Sasha's birthday. He had his cousins over from Moncton and had an absolutely wonderful day. He received some beautiful gifts.....clothes, books, toys, stuffed toys, etc. He completely enjoyed his cake as you can see in the pictures and video.

Happy 50th Birthday

Breakfast at the market in Fredericton.

Someone is celebrating their birthday today....and it's not me. We drove to Fredericton today and met up with the girls for breakfast. After we spent some time at Emmas apartment, then dropped Brenna off and returned home through Gagetown. It was a beautiful sunny day.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!

Footnote: On Sunday we went to the "Phoenix Dinner Theatre". It was our first time there. The play was called "Santa Baby"

For Longwood

First Snowfall

This morning we woke to a "Winter Wonderland". We literally went from fall to winter. Last evening we walked over the hill, in our shoes, to the Greens for a wonderful evening. Today you would need boots, winter coat and gloves. We are all cozy here with a fire going.....what a great day to stay home, settle by the fire and read a book or watch movies.

Alan Toner 1959-2008

Alan and Andree celebrating their 25th anniversary in July.

TONER, Cst. Alan Ambrose
48, Lower Sackville, passed away Thursday November 13, 2008 at the VG Site, QEII with his loving family by his side. Born in Grand Falls N.B., he was a son of the late Joyner and Helena (Fyfe) Toner. Alan was raised on a potato farm on Gillespie Settlement N.B., and later attended RCMP training in Regina at the age of thirty. After graduating from the RCMP depot, Alan and family were posted to St. Peters Cape Breton, and then transferred to Sydney, and has been a resident of Lower Sackville for the last eight years. He was a loving devoted husband and proud father, who enjoyed spending quality time with his family, attending his childrens many sporting events, especially hockey. He was proud to serve as an RCMP officer, which he felt to be his life calling. Alan loved working with people, being a mentor to the younger RCMP members. He was a parishioner of St. John Vianney Church, Sackville. He will be fondly remembered for his sense of humour and as the rock and protector of his family. He was a lifelong dedicated Habs and Red Sox fan. He is survived by his loving wife, Andree (LeClerc), Lower Sackville; children, Katie (Ben) Andrews, Ottawa; Kerri (Joel) Arsenault, Plaster Rock N.B.; Kylie and Mitchell at home; granddaughter, Lucy; siblings, Edel (Richard) Rogala; John (Heather); Paul (Martina); Jane (Eric) Robichaud; Lori (Ken) Burns; many nieces, nephews, and close friends. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Atlantic Funeral Home, 125 Sackville Drive, where visitation will be held 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Sunday. Funeral mass will be held 11 a.m. Monday in St. John Vianney Church, Lower Sackville, interment to follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Lower Sackville. A reception will follow at the church hall. Donations in memory may be made to Lupus Society of Nova Scotia. On-line condolences may be sent by visiting: http://www.atlanticfuneralhomes.com/

Today we celebrated the life of Pauls brother, Alan.It was a very emotional day as has been the last few days. Alan was highly thought of and it was most impressive to see the support of his friends, family, community and RCMP family.

Trip to Halifax

Lucy with Kerri

Aunt Tina with Lucy

Lucy with her new playset.

Considering the circumstances (Pauls brother remains stable but in critial condition) we had a good visit with the family in Halifax. We spent time with them at the hospital and then our evenings were spent at the house. Lucy was a pure joy to hold and cuddle. She will be 7 months tomorrow. Below she is having her evening bath. Kylie was eager to help out....you can only imagine, Lucy has 4 mothers while visiting in Halifax, mom, 2 aunts and her grandmother.

Saturday's Adventure

Today we went to Fredericton to get Emmas winter tires put on her car. We turned off at Welsford and went through Claredon, Wirral, Hoyt, Fredericton Junction, Blissville, Tracey, New Maryland and then Fredericton. It's a bit longer drive but a change of scenery from the highway. Of course we did the grocery run and then to Marks Work Wearhouse for winter footwear. On the way back to the apartment I was introduced to "Scoop& Save." It's like a bulk barn but much better. They have, baking accessories, candy, chocolates, chutneys, coffees, games, jams and jellies, licorice, pasta, pesto, pickles, puzzles, sauces, spices, syrups, teapots, wine kits and accessories.....and MUCH, MUCH more!!!!! It was quite a shopping experience and I will definitely be going back. Tomorrow we are off to Halifax to see Pauls brother and spend time with his family.

Lest We Forget

While at work today I was made a ware of a site I thought some of you might find interesting. www.1914-1918.ca

Fall Time Change + Cold= Winter Tires/#*!%

Last evening we put our first fire on. It was a cold night and today was a high of 3 degrees....brrrrr cold. It was time to put the winter tires on and Paul just bought an impact wrench so he HAD to try it out. The air was a lot less blue this year :-).
We spent a bit of time raking leaves but that lasted an hour......tooooo cold. The clocks have fallen back an hour and I hate to see it get dark sooner in the evening. I really don't mind darkness in the morning....after all I'm only driving to work. I would much prefer the light at the end of the day, but I'm only one little person in this great big world.

Fall Leaves

Saturday was a perfect day for raking leaves: it was beautiful, not too cold, and no wind. With this handy, dandy toy you can have the yard done in no time.

Family get-together

Look, no more collar.

Being the youngest he tends to be the most photographed.

This week Anne brought Mom down for her 8 week visit. Everything went great, they were very pleased with her progress, and much to Moms delight the neck collar came off. We had Peter and family out for supper and these are a few pictures and videos of the evening.

Cleo "IN" things

Here is a picture of Cleo "in" my garden. She stopped to pose next to the flowers.

Saturday Road Trip

Belted Galloway cows on the drive back from Fredericton.

The Iguana

Mums at Scotts Nursery.

People lined up for samosas at the market.

On Saturday we left at 8:00am for the Boyce Farmers Market in Fredericton. We met up with Emma for breakfast. Emma had to be back for 11:00 and then Paul and I wandered the market. We brought back some cheese cake for supper and I bought cinnamon roasted almonds....you can't eat too many at once, a bit on the sweet side. We decided to come back through Gagetown...our stops included Scotts Nursery, where we saw the iguana, and Greigs Pottery. My cannister set is from Greigs. Actually Paul bought it for me for christmas 19 years ago. The owner, Flo, said she has been there 31 years. We also saw some belted galloways. I have only ever seen them in this area of the province. There were still pockets of color on the drive back but we are certainly past the peak colors. It was a great day.