it's my girls' world

I'm in beautiful Trinidad and Tobago sipping a cup of tea, peering through an open window and looking at the lush greenery outside. What a wonderful time to reflect on 2016.

We started in January by unpacking and moving all our stuff our lives into our new home. We will not forget the kindness of our family (my brother and my sister in law especially) and friends during this very hectic time in our lives.

In February, we went on a very appreciated vacation to Mexico (crutches for D and all)

March brought March break, lots of friends coming to see our new home and our introductory visit to Great Wolf Lodge

In April, we celebrated our firstborn's seventh (!) birthday and welcomed spring.

Our in-laws visited us in May to celebrate D's birthday, oh and this happened. 

June brought lots of visitors(my in laws returned and my mom) to help out with my broken collarbone and we sadly had to say a 'see you soon' to my brother and his family.

In July, lots more pool time, swimming, horse back riding and girls rock camp, a quick roadtrip to Rochester and this little lady's birthday party!

My love and I celebrated our 10 year wedding anniversary with 5 days in Calfornia: San Fran, Napa and Sonoma. The girls chilled out in the NYC with my mom.

Oh and we glamped in our backyard with friends.

School began again in September. And so did our 21 day fix ;-s

 

In October, we celebrated Thanksgiving, went to Oktoberfest, did Divali and then had a mad rush to get ready for Halloween the day after in October

 

November was fun with my first girls' night away and another family trip to GWL. (and I got a new nephew)

And then December was a wonderful Christmas once more with family and friends (recap coming when I get my act together) and a trip to Trinidad.

Wishing all my readers, friends and family all wonderful and happy things in 2017. Thank you for following along on our little adventures.

Our friend, the amazing Andrea took them in our new home/back yard. I highly recommend her if you're in the GTA!!

During this festive season more than ever, our thoughts turn gratefully to our family and friends who have been there for us this past year bringing little bits of happy, support, fun and friendship. In the season's spirit, we say simply and sincerely THANK YOU and best wishes for the most Merry Christmas! 

#becauselifeisprecious

Christmas with Kate has a ring to it, no? Kate from the Green Fashionista had me at hello with her love of shopping, travelling, fitness, fun and champagne! Her favourite stores are Sephora, Target and Kate Spade--- ummm are we shopping soulmates?!  And she's a mama to a beautiful new baby named Serena-- she even picks great baby names ;-)

Here are a few of her answers...

Thank you so much for posting, Kate! It's been fun getting to know you even better.

3 more days until Christmas!!!!

Do you have any favourite Christmas ornaments that when you start to trim your tree, brings a smile to your face? Here are just a few of our special ones. 

The first year we got married, I found this in a Homesense! 10 years ago though technically it certainly wasn't our first Christmas together. 

And then of course when my first baby was born.

I have A's but still need to put a picture of her into the frame. I scrambled to get one after she was born as I totally spaced on getting her one and my mom finally found one! #secondchild #momfail

D's older patient gave him this handmade ornament one year with a note saying that he was her angel. 

My aunt gave me this mall ornament last year and we love it. It has all our info on it but let's not put it here!

When we went to the Christmas market last year, A got this ornament. Most expensive acorn ever.

And C was really into birds so she got this one.

This year they chose an ornament each. C chose this one as she wants to visit here one day.

And A chose this snowman cutie!

 You can check out the rest of our Christmas decor here.

What are your special ornaments from your Christmases past?

Linking up with Beth and some other lovelies!

More like 3rd visit to Santa 2016!!

There was this one first.... 

And then this one at A's little recital

But because this one was our very favourite experience for the year, we are telling the tale. We did it through the PC Cooking School in our area. In the bigger Zehr's/Loblaw's/Real Canadian Superstore in Canada, they offer cooking classes for kids, families and adults. C has done one so far and the girls and D did Gingerbread house decorating and loved it!  At only $10 per person for the experience, I highly recommend it and we hope to be doing it for years to come.

First off, a lovely breakfast for about a dozen kids and their parents. Eggs, pancakes, sausages, fruit and juices. And caffeine for the grown ups. After the troops were happy and fed, there were some edible Christmas crafts until Santa got there.

Grinch and Rudolph for the win!

Then the big man himself came. And boy was he a jolly old soul! 

He came around to every single person, chatted and laughed and posed for pictures. Then all the boys and girls gathered around him and more funny stories ensued before picture time. He took time to chat with each child, give them a candy cane, made sure the organisers and the parents took ample pictures and then the kids got a gift bag filled with treats, candy canes and vouchers (for a free cooking class AND groceries! I took those)

Each kid got their own personal photo, a sister shot and even a family shot! They were so patient with us!

Linking up with beautiful Biana today.