Falalalala Lala Lala

This year I hosted my very first Christmas dinner, complete with turkey and Claire's sweet potato soufflé! E grew up celebrating Christmas, but I basically took in the festivities at friends' or cousins' houses since we didn't really celebrate in my house, so it was a big deal for me to begin traditions for our little family.

We combined Indy's birthday with Christmas since E's mother, father, sister and her husband were all here visiting from the States.

The house was festive, the food was delicious and the air was full of love!

Hope all of you had a wonderful Christmas too!

oh christmas tree my christmas tree...

indy's first words christmas morning: "what is THAT?" as he pointed to the bounty under the tree.

sleepy-eyed: you know i love you when i'm willing to post a bed-head family photo!

the fabulous chocolate/vanilla/pudding birthday cake made for indy by my bff, jenn

indy now equates birthdays with cake...guess it's better than thinking it means "presents"

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'Twas the night before Christmas...

Wishing you and yours a fabulous Christmas full of love and joy!

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Second trip around the sun

Two years ago today our little boy was born and our lives changed forever. The passing of time is always so bittersweet because I want to savour every minute of it but I love watching Indio grow. As he learns new things and navigates his world he reminds us everyday of how lucky we are to have such a beautiful, caring, smart and vibrant boy.

Happy 2nd Birthday, Indio!
We love you more than words will ever be able to describe.

new to the world

world explorer

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Ornament Swap 2010: My Bounty!

This year is the first year I will have an official Christmas tree in our house and I thought what better way to adorn it than with an ornament from Micaela's Ornament Swap 2010! I was lucky enough to be paired up with a wonderful swap partner, Erin, who is a fellow Canuck [she's out west in the beautiful land of British Columbia] and has such a fantastic blog!

Yesterday, I received a wonderful package from Erin containing the cutest, most adorable little additions for my soon-to-be Christmas tree! I can't begin to thank her enough for her thoughtfulness [she read I loved elephants in a comment I made on Micaela's blog!] and originality [they were handpicked from an Etsy artist: MaiseyHandmade.]

love the twine and teeny tag.

I can't wait to put these guys up on our tree when we finally get it! Thank you so much, Erin! I hope you receive your ornament soon, if you haven't already! Canada Post promised me it would get to you safe and sound this week!

how perfect are they?

erin knows soft ornaments are best with a toddler exploring everything!

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Snapshot Sunday: weeks 49 & 50

Two weeks of photos and the only two weeks of 2010 before we're onto the next decade of this millennium! Are you ready? I'm not...at all.

[day 338: Dufflet's chocolate banana cake--perfect for an uncle's birthday!]

[day 339: Taking advantage of a child-free Sunday morning with brunch at the Lakeview.]

[day 340: Woke up to rooftops ready for reindeer.]

[day 343: Dino dinner.]

[day 345: Road trip indulgence--the McGriddle is sweet and savoury at its best!]

[day 346: Unplanned outfit coordination.]

[day 347: Hostess Carla cooked up a delicious veggie meal of broccoli slaw-stuffed tofu with soy chorizo & quinoa...I swear to all you carnivores, it was spicy and delicious!]

[day 348: Yes, that's my son in a bar in his pajamas being mauled by an older woman.]

[day 349: Celebrating at Grandpa's with homemade cake while mama is sick in bed.]

[day 350: Seems I always snap a bridge pic when leaving NYC. Makes me yearn for it even more.]

[day 351: Red curry and pyramid rice from Spring Rolls.]

[day 352: Post-movie Blizzard...made the flick more palatable.]

[day 353: The union of two of my favourite foods: poached eggs with guacamole and avocado...that blackened thing over on the right was well-done potato rosti.]

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Snapshot Sunday: week 48

Woah, it's December and almost 2011??? In 10 days my baby turns 2. TWO! As exciting as this is, I'm feeling pretty bummed about it actually because I want to stop time and keep him little for a bit longer. I finally finished his "first year" photo book and ordered it from Blurb. I'm trying to finish year two before the end of the year. It's a lofty goal, but I think I can do it.

This week's photos are missing day 338 [yesterday] for the mere reason that I'm too lazy to wait for my photos to upload right now, but the rest of the week was pretty colourful.

Hope you're all enjoying the last month of the year. Are you preparing for the holidays? Have you received snow yet?

[day 332: This restaurant reminded me of a friend who shares its namesake.]

[day 333: Washing dishes or just making a bigger mess?]

[day 334: Crazy-beautiful sunset filtered through a dirty windshield.]

[day 335: 'Tis the season for a festive CN Tower.]

[day 336: Would you accept a kiss from this yogurt monster?]

[day 337: Funky mural on west Queen St West.]

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