Alberta Christmas

We left Buffalo, NY in the early hours of the morning, with 3 children, 1 checked suitcase, 3 carry-on's and 2 personal items. It was a bit of juggling act, but we made it on the airplane...just on time. 

The plane ride went well - the kids stayed pretty happy, and thankfully, there was some extra seats available, being that it was Christmas Day. We used a borrowed DVD player for a bit, which was super helpful. :) The only issue of the flight was when catching the next flight at the airport in Minneapolis. Erik wanted to pull his own suitcase, but there was no time, as we had to race through the whole airport, and just made it on...again. We're getting good at that. So he was not a happy camper. One more flight later, we arrived in Great Falls, and there was Mom and Dad! We caught up a bit on the way back to the farm, and then we enjoyed a lovely afternoon, opening some family Christmas presents.

Getting ready to open some Christmas gifts!!

These two, happy to be at Grandma and Grandpa's!

Auntie Charissa, finally meeting little Laura.

Our dinner together.

The next day, Katy, Laura and I went with Mom to town, to get some groceries and to see Grandpa. Katelyn was so good with him, and he got to see Laura.

 With my Grandpa. Grateful that he's still around to at least meet the latest babe.

Katelyn pushed Gramps to lunch by herself.

Back at the farm, Andrew, Rebecca and the kids came over to sled, so off we went in the white wonderland. Katy had a ton of fun with her cousins, and sledding.

 A bunch of them tried standing on the sled on the way down - I tried, but I've lost my ability over the years. :)

Taking a bit of rest.

Later on the cousins did some coloring together.

Grandpa helped Erik out in the crayon department. That boy is forever wanting "tractors" drawn, or "a happy tractor". (which is a smiley face in the tractor cab window) This happens at least once every day. We have our tractor drawing perfected by now...not to say that it looks like a real tractor - kinda a mix between a train engine and a New Holland... :)

 Aunty Becca - only a few more weeks to go and she will be holding her own little babe!!!

 Anne-Marie with the dressed up girl. Anne-Marie is so good at making things fun for the kids. Katelyn had a blast with the dress-up clothes. She'd get into them at the beginning of the day, and sometimes wear them almost all day.

 

 My big girl! I sound like a biased mom, but I was so proud of Katelyn - seeing her try skating without getting discouraged. She'd fall, sometimes laugh, and get back up. She was terribly cute too. :)  

 Daniel - the perfect model for an Alberta Kid Calender.

 Karina, Rebecca and Ethan - Rebecca gave rides to the kids on the sled when they got tired of skating.

 Trying a snow dust shot.

(Charissa was a perfect model)

Andrew brought his quad over, which they used many times while we were there. Sleds were pulled back up the sledding hill- with numerous kids piled on - and for the skating time, as well as Anne-Marie (above) and James (below) and Andrew, all took a turn going for a ski ride.

 

 Cousins -tuckered out from the outdoors, watching a movie.

 Playing a game - 7 Wonders. Fun to spend some time with Andrew and Rebecca.

My little dollface...

...looking at her Aunty. Aren't they both so cute.

 Another round of 7 Wonders.

This is where Laura slept - in the suitcase. Worked perfectly.

The Sunday before church, us sisters took a few pictures together in the cold outdoors.

3 girls, 3 different places we're at in our lives.

Charissa at college in Lethbridge, Anne-Marie off to Bolivia to serve for a few months, and me in Ontario with my family. God's plan for us all is perfect.

Then our dear momma got in the picture. I like us four.

That evening, we went over to the Jost's house for some snacks, visiting, and saw an old home video from a Christmas presentation years ago - lots of laughs.

James, Cameron and I went to see Jon and Sharla's home they're building - it's coming along. Neat to see their excitement and plans! 

Me and cousin Sharla. :)

Meet Titus! Cameron and Lisa's newest little one, and first son! He as born a couple weeks before we came, so it worked out perfectly for me to take some newborn shots of him. He was a willing model. :)

There is a few more pictures at my photography blog.

Then James, Heather and their family arrived, and the partying began!

But first, we got a family picture.

Taking it with Cameron's camera, and the timer.

Sweet Lisa - an amazing mom of five.

Cameron with his little guy.

Aunty Anne-Marie with another nephew!

Just a few shots of some of my nieces and nephews.

Our official Christmas dinner!

Then began the opening of the main presents. :)

James opening his present from Charissa..

A painting Charissa had done, of the titles (sides of boxes) of his favorite board/strategy games. It was something James had wanted for a while, and Charissa worked like crazy the last few days before Christmas to make it happen.

Dear Julianna had made Laura a baby hat - such a soft one too! She looked like a little gumdrop! I think that was the first had Julie made - did a terrific job! 

 After the presents, the guys worked on one of the nieces puzzles...a Disney Princess one no less.

All of the Fehr grandkids with Grandpa, before daddy took him back home.

With his Fehr great-grandchildren!

 Daddy and Mommy with Grandpa.

They're such an amazing children to their dad/father-in-law. The care they have given Grandpa and Grandma, (as well as Daddy's parents years ago before their homegoing)

has been such an incredible example to me - to all of us.

It hasn't been easy - being a caretaker of any type isn't. But they continue to love, continue to give, even when it's hard...which it often is...

But that's when you know it's love - the love of Jesus.

Dear Grandpa - thankful for another Christmas with him.

The next day, it was off to the sledding hill again.

Brother Tim

The "adults" having a blast!

The kids flying down the slopes - had fun praticing shooting some "action" shots. :)

 

A bunch of the sledders.

Here's the four latest grandchildren. (that's counting Becca's baby to be in February - Lord-wiling!)

L-R: Laura, Harmony and Titus.

January 1st is Samuel's birthday!

Grandma Fehr with the latest ones - why is it always my child is the one crying during, or right before pictures?
 

 

The last breakfast at the farm.

Dressed up in her favorite princess dress, Katy posed for Anne-Marie in her room.

Siblings.

Feeling so purty.

Then a bit later, it was time for those goodbyes...

We left the farm in the afternoon, with mom and dad who took us to Great Falls, out for a special dinner, and then to a hotel for the night -a s we had to be up at 4 a.m.

Grandpa saying goodnight to Laura.

I realized (of course) the night before we left, that I hadn't got a picture of dad and mom with their newest grand daughter. :) Thankfully James' phone was available. :)

Grandma and Laura

Then early the next morning, off we went to the airport with these two adorables who were well awake - and so good. 

Then through security with our loaded-from-Christmas-bags, and with my mismatching socks :) off we went to the first of the three flights of the day.

We were so glad to make it back to Buffalo, NY around 5 p.m. that day. Back in our van, with all our stuff. Then to Henry & Heathers, where we stayed the evening and night - and back to home a day later - after some shopping, and out for lunch with Nelly and Heather.

So good to be home, and excited to see the pictures from our wonderful out west time. Thankful for the sacrifices many people made, in order for us to make it out there.