New Years escape...

As we have for the past 12 years, (most of) our gang got together to escape from the world and celebrate New Years eve together.  This year, we choose a gorgeous cabin on Whidby Island (near Seattle).  Maya had such a great time playing with her friends and got to experience her second Hannukah.  We weren't sure how to explain what a Dreidel was or why it brought her a gift though...

     Hannukah                                   Kids getting their New Years presents

     

Happy 2012!                                            Ooooo...  sparklers!

     

Silly photos                                           Playing games

Christmas fun...

Gramma & Grampa came to visit for Christmas.  We had a great time!  Maya finally started to understand and get excited about Christmas, Santa, Presents, Cookies, Trees and more...

    

     

   

         

Bright Nights...

We went to the Stanley Park Bright Nights Train Ride this past weekend.  We'd never been before and we were amazed at how nice it was!  Most of my pictures don't do the event justice but Maya LOVED the train ride, all of the lights, the numerous displays and, of course, the hot chocolate & hot pretzel that we got to snack on.  She even got to meet Frosty the Snowman!

   

Santa Claus parade...

We went to the Santa Claus parade again this year and Maya was SO excited to see Santa!  She wore her bunny costume to keep warm and her hearing protectors because the bands were too loud.  So cute!

  

Three and a half...

This past weekend, Maya had her 3 1/2 birthday.  Not that we really celebrated it with a party or anything but we made her feel extra special all day and told her that she could now say she was 3 1/2.  She seemed very impressed by that!  We looked back at the videos we posted at when she was 1 1/2 & 2 1/2, compared them to our most recent video of her at 3 1/2, and were surprised at how much she has changed.  Take a look...

One and a half

Two and a half

Three and a half

Big changes!

Hawaii again...

The day after Halloween, we jetted off to Hawaii... again...for the 2nd time this year.  We had such a good time when we were there in April that we jumped at the chance to do it again.  John was able to get us a great deal on flights and I was able to get us back in to the apartment we stayed at in Waikiki in April.  We were all looking forward to a great time!

   

   

   

  

   

Parade of Lost Souls...

On the Saturday night before each Halloween, we head out to enjoy one of East Vancouvers many festivals... The Parade of Lost Souls.  There is a secret route selected through a secret East Van community and only the home-owners along that route are told that they will be part of the route.  The starting point and starting time is only revealed on the festival website on the day of the parade.  Followers goes to the starting point during the designated time and are given a map to tell them the route to follow through the lanes and streets of the community.  We were in awe of how involved the decorations were!  Almost every house was done up with art displays, puppet shows, live bands, stilt walkers, bug plays, dancing, smoke, spooky music and so much more.  Pictures don't come close to doing it justice!  It was a wonderful event!  This year, Todd & Karin joined us with their family.  We had so much fun but left before finishing the parade, after 1.5 hours, as the kids were getting really hungry.  1.5 hours and we weren't done!!