Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree....

Keeping with the Sharpe Squad tradition, we headed to the field to cut down our Christmas tree on Sunday. NOTHING beats a real tree. The place that we usually go to mysteriously closed down (which we didn't find out till we drove about an hour to get there), so we headed to about half an hour away from Belwood to a place called Wintersinger's Tree Farm. It was great. A hayride by tractor took you out to the field, you walked until you found something you liked, cut it down, then the tractor picked you back up and took you and your tree to be shaked and baled for the car ride home. Jack especially liked the tractor ride, and couldn't wait for Mark to cut down the tree. They have a really great program there as well, called R.E.A.C.T. (Real Evergreens for Afghanistan Canadian Troops), which sends real trees to families of soldiers serving overseas. What a great way to show support to the families who will be alone for Christmas.

Jack and daddy on the wagon ride


Jack and Will in the field...we put Will's carseat on the sled. He slept the WHOLE time.


This is the one!!


The strongest of men. It took both of them to drag it!


Tonight we decorated the tree. Jack could barely sit still during dinner, he was so excited. He really seems to be getting Christmas this year, and the smallest things have him so thrilled. Anyways, Mark brought the tree in and set it up. Jack tried out all the lights (many times), and had a great time hanging the balls. Mark has an ornament collection that his mom started for him a really long time ago that is all antique cars. He has over 20, and they're really quite neat hanging on the tree. Very suited to Mark. Jack thinks they're amazing! We may have to move them higher up, we noticed a few driving across the carpet!

Let there be light...this is a new favorite pic of mine!


This is the chunkier of our elves...he's quite a little pig when it comes to eating. Gearing up for the holidays, I guess!


Hanging the ornaments so intently.



The finished product! The angel is happiest sitting at that weird angle.

Shop Till Ya Drop!

Well, out of the blue one day, Mark says: "lets go shopping in the states for Christmas". Huh??? Anyone who knows my husband at all knows how much he HATES shopping (although he has remarkable taste in everything). I jumped at the chance, because noone knows when the opportunity will come again. We jumped on the car first thing Saturday morning, dropped the kids at Mark's parents, and headed to Walden Galleria in Buffalo. I have to say, though, that I was more excited about spending some time alone with Mark (there was no "Jack, stop kicking my seat" all the way down). We got over the border with only 2 cars ahead of us, and headed straight for the mall. We got some good deals, and Mark did enjoyed himself quite a bit given his hate of shopping. He found a bar in the mall early on, and bailed out after 2 hours. We enjoyed a nice dinner in the hotel that evening, and looked forward to the chance of sleeping in a bit. Wouldn't you know that we were both wide awake at 7:00 the next morning. We did a bit more shopping, and the headed home. We had NO problems at the border, no wait or anything. It was alot of fun, and I got a lot of shopping done!

A very quiet dinner!

Multiple Winter Events...ALREADY!

Here are some pictures of some of the things The Sharpe Squad has been doing to get ready for Winter and Christmas!

Jack and Will were pretty spoiled this year, they got TWO Santa Claus Parades to watch! Mommy and daddy are a little fonder of the Aberfoyle Parade as it is WAY smaller, so you only freeze for a brief time. Jack loves the parades, but his favorite thing is the Pipe Band. And the candy of course!

Jack and Daddy at the Guelph Parade...

With Elmo...


Our friends Melanie, Michael and Baby Colin, who was born a few hours after William!


Pretty hot stuff, don't you agree??


Finally!


Loving his new hat!


Daddy hanging the Christmas lights which is his FAVORITE event!


Gearing up for parade #2 in Aberfoyle!!!!!


Jack and Mallory


Santa


Our drunk penguin...when it's actually inflated, it looks like it's having seziures.


Our first Christmas in our new house...all decorated up.


Shovel time!

Uncle Kevin's Birthday

Uncle Kevin turned 27 this year! Mama and Boppa (or Grandma and Grandpa as some children call their grandparents) acknowledged the event with an awesome roast beef dinner! Jack loves ANY excuse for a party, and thinks if you get to sing "Happy Birthday", it's an added bonus!




No cake is complete without some spit from Jack!

Remembrance Day

Today we took Jack to the Remembrance Day Parade here in Guelph. Jack has a little bit of knowledge about soldiers as his Uncle Rod proudly serves in the Canadian Forces. Jack will happily tell you that he was wearing a poppy to say thank-you. The parade was a little bit late starting, and I was seriously starting to have my worries about Jack running out into the street, and running out when the veterans were marching past, but once the parade was upon us, Jack stood so still. He held up the sign that him and mommy made, and watched with BIG eyes. It was very touching to see him, and it was even more touching to see some of the veterans nod and acknowledge him standing there. The parade was quite well put together, complete with veterans, Reservists, cadets, cub scouts, police and fire departments, and of course bagpipers. When the parade was over, Jack asked if we could go see Uncle Rod now. Uncle Rod is stationed in Edmonton so we couldn't just drop in, but when we got home Jack phoned him to say thank-you to him as well. We hope that Jack grows up proud and respectful of his country.

Jack phoning Uncle Rod to say thank-you!


Daddy and Jack waiting for the parade to start


Daddy and Jack at the Cenotaph



To all the veterans who bravely served, and to all the troops currently serving:

Happy Birthday to Nanny!!!

We had to celebrate Nanny's birthday a little early this year as she wsas going to be in Florida for her actual day! We threw had a little party complete with a cake, and Jack's lovely rendition of Happy Birthday. All day long he sang: "Happy Birthday A Nanny". Whatever, we'll work on the lyrics later!


Jack helping to open Nan's gifts...actually, he never really gave her a chance!


Papa and the boys


Cake time....hit it, Jack!


Blow!


I was a little nervous about this much sugar before bed...


Nan needed BIG kisses before she left for Florida!


After the party, watching some Monday Nite Football with Daddy...Go Steelers!!


I just thought I'd end this posting with some pictures of the sweetest baby...what a joy being a mommy is!


Ready to tee off...

Great weekend!!

We had a really great weekend here! We were fortunate enough to have it be fairly mellow, for once! The weather was surprisingly nice for November too!
Our old neighbour Clare came for supper on Saturday night. We miss Clare terribly as a neighbour...we have really great new neighbours here, but Clare was the best! We had a super time on Saturday night...tons of laughs, and tons and tons of wine!


Jack and Clare. We don't know why, but Jack has always called her Dee.


Big cuddles for Will


The happy wine-o's


We went for a huge walk on Sunday...the weather was so nice, and there likley won't be many more nice days left! Mark's parents live right on the trail that runs along the speed river, so we parked at their house and headed out for a couple of hours. Jack rode in his stroller for the first part, and actually walked/ran the 2.5 km home!

Here's daddy with Jack, and Will is sound asleep in his stroller!


Mommy and Jack



Beautiful scenery, and a great fake smile!


Thats better!


Manly men...


A very happy baby!


Me and my buddy!


LOOK WHAT FRESH AIR DOES!!!