Noel.

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a small Block was stirring, not even a delivery guy from amazon 'cause we done bought them out;

The stockings were hung on the mantel with care,

In hopes that the presents soon would be there;

they were!

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of sugar-highs danced in their heads;

And mamma drinkin champagne, and I a nice cab,

Had just settled down for a long winter's...marathon of Entourage season 8.

We had such a nice Christmas Eve.  Spent with the Block contingent (Grampa Larry and Grama Jo, Ryan, Michelle, Wyatt & Ros)...Presents galore and then a nice fondue for just us two while we wrapped presents and got ready for Christmas morning.

cuzins

 

Wrapping paper flying, dump trucks & princess outfits all over the place, peppermint hot chocolate, pancakes...and I'd say the kids' Christmas was all they could hope for and more.

will surely have this bottle til he's 10.

santa pulled through and brought a "pink baby"!

nothing like a kid in a tool belt :)

Christmas afternoon we had a delicious Prime Rib fiesta at Vicki & Bruce's with the whole family, and more presents...

mr. wyatt

4x block

caramel corn...mmmmm

We were missing our time with Frama Joyce & Frampa Warwen, but their presence was found in a big cardboard house that entertained them through the whole day.

welcome to my home.

Then fastforward to New Years Eve, we celebrated our third Christmas with dinner with Grama & Grampa Gingell and TONS more presents (definitely hit the jackpot this year). 

New year's eve found Shan in bed by 8:30 (whoops, long year). But January 1, 2012 was full of the promise of a fresh new year ahead.  Brunch with the Garratts, Hess' and McFarlands and the mimosas were flowing.  I even made my first quiche!

2011 was not the easiest year we've had, personally or least of all professionally.  We lost family members, young and old, we've raised two crazy toddlers, we've worked our butts off (mostly Andy's butt) and a heap of other things big and small have made this year a challenge, to say the very least. 

But if they never should have bitter, they could not know the sweet.

Cheers to a very sweet 2012!