Whoops... There Goes Fall!

Uh ya, whoops!  Blogging has completely fallen by the wayside lately and I can't really come up with a good excuse.  We've actually had a pretty easy-going Fall!  However, we leave for Mexico on Wednesday and there will hopefully be lots of fun-in-the-sun adventures to blog about upon our return, so it's time for a quick update before we go.  As usual, I'll let the pictures tell the story...

Megan, Josh and Jen goofing it up at the "How to Train Your Dragon" Live Show at the beginning of November.  We happened to go the same night as the Toshs and sat together for the 2nd half.

Ethan was the first on his team to win the "Hardest Working Hard Hat" - awarded to the kid who works the hardest in a practice.  He got to bring home the team poster and be the first to decorate the hard hat.

It was high pressure being the first to make their mark so Ethan designed it and I drew it.

Josh jumping off the 3M diving board at his last swimming lesson.  This was his first time taking the big leap and he told us after that he reminded himself what we often tell them: "all it takes is 10 seconds of courage".  Both boys jumped off it numerous times and Leah bravely tackled the 1M board.  We were very proud of all 3.

Nonnie came to town at the end of November to help out and had the pleasure of seeing Josh's first game.  He absolutely rocked it and ended up being awarded his team's first "Super Sport Player of the Game" award.  As a result of the award, he got to be the Captain at his next game and wear the big "C".  It was VERY exciting!

Redeeming his prize pack at "Al Anderson's Source for Sports".

Our next hockey player in the making!!  Leah absolutely LOVES her skating lessons and is making quite a name for herself with the coaches and the other parents.  She has a great attitude and looks awfully cute out there as she keeps up with the bigger kids.  She has graduated to the higher level which she'll start in January.

Grammy and Grandpa came to Saskatoon for their annual "Thanksmas" visit.  Here is Gramps presenting Ethan with his 8-year old book, "Hiking in the Jirisan Mountains" (it's actually a trilogy with a book in the series for each of his 8-year old grandsons - and it's AWESOME).

While here, Gramps also presented Leah with her 4-year old book, "Lilly O'Short Was Not Too Worried".  Here is the first of many readings.  Leah had it memorized before the week was up and absolutely loves it.  It is currently being bound professionally and she asks daily when it will be ready.

While here, Grammy and Gramps had the pleasure of seeing Ethan win the "Super Sport Player of the Game" award (there must be something about the kids turning it on when Grandparents are in the stands!!).  He scored his first hattrick of the season during the game and was excited to have Grammy (the original hattrick-cake-maker) make his cake!

Grammy had some help from Leah making the cake.  Ethan had some help from the rest of us eating it!!  Note: we've started a one-hattrick-cake-per-kid-per-season rule.  However, when the master negotiator scored his second hattrick a week later during a tournament and was awarded the Player of the Game he successfully convinced his Mother that it was pretty special circumstances and he deserved another cake.  He also argued that I hadn't personally baked him a cake yet this season.  Sigh... what can I say, I have no will-power!! :)

Playing on the backyard rink with Gramps.

Decorating the tree.

Happy Thanksmas!!!

Gramps shoveling with Leah's "help".

One more card game with Grammy before we had to say goodbye.

Ethan dressed up for Pioneer Day at school.

Our built-Prairie-tough kids a couple of nights ago.  Ethan and Josh out on the rink using the flood lights - it was -30C, pitch black and they were out there for 2 hours!  Nothing cures sibling rivalry better than a backyard rink!