HAPPY NEW YEAR

I want to wish you all a very happy new year. Hope your year is great.
We will probably be having a bunch of teenagers at our house for the night, so I am stocking up on snacks. We've got some fireworks to set off too. Hope the kids enjoy them, I also hope nobody gets hurt!
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WAITING FOR THE BALL TO DROP

O.K. Here is my latest confession: I really hate New Year's Eve. I think it stems from the fact that on most nights I am dropping asleep by 9:30 and on this particular night I am not allowed to even think about sleeping until at least 12:01. At 8:30 in the evening I am seriously starting to contemplate ringing in the new year with my fellow Canadians in Ontario. I work my way across the country hoping that the family will give in to me and just let me go to bed, but to no avail. So, now here we are at close to 11:30 and I am still awake, just counting down the minutes.I remember when we were kids Dad would go outside and wait for the New Year, then he would come in with a bottle of wine and a loaf of bread. I believe they were to symbolize prosperity or something. Anyways, once Dad was successfully back in the house the real celebration would begin. I don't remember what time we went to bed back then, but I was probably more excited about it than I am now.So, that sums up my yearly New Year's Eve adventures. Tomorrow we will be cooking a Greek dinner which everyone is looking forward to. I started preparing today by making baklava. Of course we had to sample it and it is very yummy. So, Happy New Year!
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LOOKING OFFICIAL

Brian just got his official ambulance crew gear. Normally he doesn't like to wear uniforms, but he will make an exception in this case. He wants to look official when they are picking patients up at their houses. Looking good, Brian! (Sorry about the glare from the reflective strips.)


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ANOTHER BUSY DAY

I guess we have officially finished lazing around for the holidays. Today was very busy. Brian decided to install our dishwasher today. He had to remove the original cabinets, then we prepared the dishwasher. It wasn't too hard to convert if from portable to an installed unit. However, the installation kit that we bought from the appliance store did not come with an adaptor for the water hose. Since we live in such an isolated place, this means that I will have to order one over the phone and wait for snail mail to deliver it to us. This shouldn't take more than a week or two. Then I thought since we are working in the area we might as well install the new kitchen faucet. As always nothing goes as simple as one would hope, but we have it installed and I love it. I have always wanted one with the spout that pulls out. Hopefully it will intrigue the kids enough that they won't complain about doing dishes for the next couple weeks.
On another note - the kids love their new ski-doo. We, the experts (lol), have given them all driving lessons and are satisfied that they know and will follow the safety rules we have laid out for them. Naomi and Josh are both naturally cautious. Hannah, on the other hand, is slightly kamikaze and needed an extra lesson or two. She drove Brian around today and was a wonderful driver. I still suffer from some parental anxiety when they head out on the ski-doo, but hopefully that will pass.
After all the excitement on Christmas day, Oscar has spent the time since recovering. He doesn't move far from his bed - usually only as far as the couch!
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WOW! WHAT A CHRISTMAS!!!

Where do I start????? Last night Brian and I thought we would be very smart. We decided to take the kids stockings and fill them, but not put them in their rooms until about 3:00 am when they would be sure to be asleep. However, not everything goes as planned. Brian woke up around 1:30 and so we decided that we may as well just put them out now, the kids seemed to be sleeping. So, we snuck into their room with the stockings and decided to put them on Naomi's dresser so that Oscar wouldn't get into them. As soon as we went into the room Oscar bounded out of bed. He saw us putting out stockings and remembered that this was something he could open. So, thinking all was well, I went to the kitchen for a drink and on the way back to bed I heard whispering coming from the kids room. I just laughed, what else could I do? Then I went to bed. About 5 minutes later I could hear Oscar walking down the hall - click, click, click. Knowing that this was definitely not Santa on the rooftop, I listened carefully. I could hear him walk into the living room and stop. Knowing his penchant for opening presents I went to investigate. There he was opening a present. Again I just laughed and taped the present back up. Interestingly he never bothered with the presents under the tree until he saw the stockings. I really don't know what he planned to do with Hannah's new underwear! Then joy of joys I brought him to bed with me so that I could keep an eye on him. All night I could hear the kids whispering. I don't think they even got a wink of sleep. In the morning the kids came to our room to see what we had in our stockings. Of course Oscar came too and was excited beyond belief. He was trying to grab things out of Brian's stocking and was bounding around the bed. We finally had to bring him his own present to open. This is one of those things you have to see to believe. When we finally made our way out to the tree we gave Oscar his stocking first and he just started tearing presents apart. Then he grabbed the paper while I was opening a gift and was ripping it off. He definitely provided a lot of extra excitement. We opened up our presents and everyone was very happy with their gifts - and everything fit! However, we had 3 boxes that we were saving for last. Before they could open them we had to have breakfast. As I said to them, once you open the last 3 boxes all sanity will leave you, so we need to eat now. Then they were able to open the last 3 gifts. They were helmets to go with the new ski-doo we bought them. It is 2004, brand new, Arctic Cat - we got a great deal on it. You should have heard the squeals of delight. They were so excited. Here they are all ready to go:

Brian and I worked very hard to keep this a secret. We bought it in Whitehorse and had it delivered to a friends house. Then on Christmas Eve day we went over and hooked up the sled and made sure everything was ready to go. Around 4:30, just when it was getting dark, Brian walked over and picked it up. I stayed and watched t.v. with the kids, making sure there was lots of noise in the house. Brian pulled up right outside the living room window and kids never heard a thing. We kept worrying they would look out the window and see it, but they never did. I think we definitely deserve the parents of the year award for this.
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WAITING FOR THE BIG DAY

Brian and I were just watching the news and they had a story about last minute Christmas shopping. Apparently Canadians spent an estimated $2 billion today alone. Is that insanity or what??? It is one of those times that I really enjoy living apart from the busy, city life. I definitely don't miss the crowds just before a big holiday. We went to Whitehorse near the beginning of December and all our Christmas shopping had to be done then. It doesn't leave much room for forgetfulness. You just have to be organized. What I do miss is being with family during the holiday season. It would be nice just to get together for some family time. It would also be nice to have family be able to attend the kids Christmas concerts, etc. But, I guess that is the price we pay for living in the Great White North! Once Christmas day comes I am fine - it's just the lead up to Christmas that I find hard.
This year is interesting in a new way. It seems that we are really being accepted into the community. We have been invited to 2 boxing day get togethers. One is being held by the head nurse here, Lynn. We get along very well with her. The other is being held by Brian - the store owner/hair dresser/lay coroner/head of recreation department/masseur/etc. He is actually a really great guy. His wife and sons will be in town for the holidays. He talks about his sons all the time so it will be nice to finally meet them. So, that is our boxing day plans. Should be lots of fun.
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'TIS THE SEASON

Here is the craziest thing about living in the far north - the weather. Brian and I have been planning on putting up our outside Christmas lights for over a month. However, it is almost dark when we get home from work so we had to do it on a weekend. But every weekend has been too cold - it's cold enough to have your hands in a foot of snow, without contending with -25 temperatures. Yesterday was the start of our Christmas vacation. We worked until noon, then we were free. We took the opportunity in the afternoon to put up the lights. Can you believe it was +2 outside??? Needless to say, Brian still felt cold when all the snow fell off the ladder down his back and when he was having to dig his hands into the snow. There was no way I was climbing the ladder to put them up - I hate ladders! So, I put all the hooks on and Brian attached them. They look great!

I guess this is also the season to be thinking about New Year's resolutions. Ha! Ha! Ha! Mine is the same as it is every year, it's really a no-brainer. I resolve to lose weight! Of course it's a good thing that the resolution doesn't kick in until after Christmas with all its baking and chocolates. Actually it's interesting this year, I don't even want those things. I have some baking in the freezer now, but it's not tempting at all. I even have chocolates, which the kids enjoy, and I do too, just not as much. Maybe I'm just getting old! Well, that much is true anyways.
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CHRISTMAS CONCERT

I am so glad the concert is over. I enjoy it, but it is still a relief when it is all done. Brian's class started the program with a play Brian wrote. It was entitled "The Principal Who Stole Christmas". It was loosely based on the Christmas Carol. We weren't sure the kids would even get up and do the play. During the dress rehearsal in the morning one of the kids refused to go on stage. So, no one was sure what would happen in the evening. Well, they did the play but it wasn't without a hitch. One of the main actors was really nervous and was playing with the microphone cord and she accidently pulled it out of the microphone. Of course everyone laughed. She ran off the stage and was sitting behind the curtain crying. So, the principal told a story to fill in time and somehow Brian managed to convince her to get back up on stage and she did a wonderful job. Of course the kindergarten kids were the stars of the show. One great addition this year was a play in the Kaska language. Josh was in this play. He played a sheep. I was very impressed with the way he said his lines - he sounded like he had been speaking the language for years. Here he is in his costume. (sorry it's such a poor picture. Pictures in the gym never turn out well.)

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ARTS AND CRAFTS

The girls have learned some valuable skills since moving to Ross River. One of these is learning how to sew with moose hide. Much of this sewing is done by hand. They have also learned how to do beautiful bead work. Naomi made these mukluks a couple of years ago. They are absolutely gorgeous.

Last year Hannah made these mitts for me. Now, their work has really improved. Naomi made these slippers for herself.

Hannah just finished making these mitts for herself. She used beaver fur on them. The green and white flowers are all beaded. (She also made the bread that is on the counter behind her.)

I just thought I would share these beautiful creations with you.
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READY FOR THE HOLIDAYS

O.K. I must say I am definitely ready to begin my Christmas holidays. However, we have 2 1/2 more days of school before we officially start the holidays. I am definitely not looking forward to the next few days - the kids at school are going to be wild with excitement. We are having our Christmas concert on Tuesday night. I have to play piano for this event. It is usually a very fun time. At school we also have all the classes join together each morning to sing Christmas carols. As usual I lead this - the younger kids love it, the older ones not so much. But everyone has a great time. I guess when it comes down to it, I just really love Christmas. It's my favourite time of year. Most of my Christmas presents are wrapped now, that means I can just relax and enjoy my holidays.
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CHRISTMAS PARCELS

Today was a great day - I finally got all my parcels and Christmas cards put in the mail. It is such a relief to finally have them all finished and sent off. You may not get them by Christmas, but I wasn't prepared to pay twice the price to get them there faster. Sorry. But if they are late think of it as an extra day of Christmas cheer!
The kids christmas present arrived on Tuesday. Brian and I were enjoying it for a while, but not as much as we would like for fear of getting caught. It makes me wonder, is it a present for them or us??? I still can't say what it is for fear the kids will read my blog. I guess you will have to wait 11 more sleeps to find out! Is the suspense killing you yet? Here's a clue - it's bigger than a bread box and smaller than a house.
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HANNAH'S NEW 'DO

Hannah decided to get her hair done while we were in Whitehorse. This is something she has been planning for a few months now. She looks tired in this picture because she ended up getting sick while we were away and this was taken Sunday morning when she was just starting to feel better. (Also, she doesn't like to show her braces in pictures.) The hairdresser kept asking me if I was o.k. with her having purple hair I figure it's just hair and she definitely doesn't have the attitude that normally goes with crazy hair colours, so I'm fine with it. She is so happy with her hair and she is still as beautiful as ever. Who would have thought I would have a child with purple hair???
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TRYING SOMETHING NEW

We just returned home from our Christmas trip in to Whitehorse. As always it was a rush and there was never a dull moment. This year was turning out to be especially hectic. We had to take the truck in to the shop for some major work. I knew we would have to leave it there all day, so I was planning to just walk where I needed to go and make do the best that I could. However, those plans crashed to the ground when I was on my way out of the first store that I shopped in. My arms were loaded down with bags, and in my great wisdom, I thought well, I will just drop these back at the hotel and then continue on to the next store. About half way back I realized that I would spend more than half the day walking back and forth to the hotel and my arms would be about 2 feet longer due to all the heavy carrying. So, I phoned the car rental place and rented a car. It was the best money I ever spent. Brian was off shopping so I just had to go ahead. Then when I was driving back to the hotel I passed him. He was so surprised, but totally understood. My next stop was Walmart, needless to say, the trunk of the car was now full. Anyways, we spent the day shopping and filling the car, kind of like the clown car that you can just keep filling up. Naomi had her xrays for her back, but it will be after Christmas before we can see the doctor about them. Here's the real kicker - we all met back at the hotel before supper and phoned about our truck - they were still working on it. They had started at about 8:00 in the morning and were still going. I was informed that all the bolts they were trying to get off were rusted so bad that he couldn't get them out. What was supposed to be 6 hours of work ended up being about 10. They wanted to keep our truck all day Saturday as well, however, the mechanic didn't want to have to face our truck again for another day, so he stayed until 9:00 at night and finally got it finished. They had to replace some seals and gaskets on the manifold. Well, glad that it over with.
Here's the great news. The kids all went to see Happy Feet, so Brian and I decided to do something totally new - we went to a karoke bar. It was such a blast. I wasn't going to sing, but they brought out the books with the lists of songs and I thought what the heck. So, I was sitting there filling out the paper with the song and in walks a big crowd of people from Ross. I was so nervous, but I got up and sang anyways. I sang "Cowboy Take Me Away". I was so nervous, you wouldn't think I would be after all the performing, etc I have done, but I was terrified that I would have a Cameron Diaz moment (like on My Best Friend's Wedding) and be totally flat. But Brian was sitting there beaming and everything went great. So, I thought what the heck I will do a couple more. I sang Everyday Is a Winding Road - didn't do so hot at that one, then Soak Up the Sun - which Brian said I totally nailed. It was such a blast, I can't wait to do it again. The funniest thing was when this other couple got up. The girl went up first and sang by herself, then she called her boyfriend up and he didn't know what they were going to sing, but he went up anyways. Just as he is walking on the stage the music for Summer Nights from Grease starts and he says "Oh crap!" It was so funny. But they did a great job, they really got into it. This is a definite do again. Actually get yourself ready Sonya - we're taking you guys. Maybe Brian and Gary should sing a song each too. (hee, hee, hee)
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THE GREAT BAKING THIEF

It appears to me that we must have a thief in the house. Yesterday my little friend, Mackenzie, and I baked ginger sparklers and mint brownies. She took some home with her. But we seem to be going through the rest of it at a remarkable rate. I wonder what this thief looks like. He is probably about 6 feet tall, skinny, and with male pattern baldness. Maybe he is 5'3" with blond hair and brown eyes and flits through the kitchen stealing baking as he flies through laughing uproariously. Or maybe it isn't a he at all, but a she. Maybe standing around 5'6" with blond hair and green eyes and is very quiet and stealthily walks through the kitchen without us ever knowing she is there. The other option is that she is 5'3" with long brown hair, brown eyes and a very silly disposition. Here are the mug shots of my suspected perpetrators. If you see any of them please alert the proper authorities. (That would be me!)
Do these look like the baking thiefs or what?

Or maybe it is the ultimate thief: 8"tall, long, fat and brown. Just look at him sneaking through the kitchen in disguise. He probably has a store of baking hidden in his bed.
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CHRISTMAS DECORATING

Well, since it is now officially December and the start of the Christmas season. The kids and I spent the weekend decorating. The tree is almost done. I just have some final things to put on, but never have the time or energy to do so.

Josh and I also started some Christmas baking. He made shortbread and I made caramel popcorn. I had also previously made ginger cookies and christmas cake. However, one would never know that I had even begun to do any baking since it is all gone. After school today one of the grade 1 kids is coming over to bake with me. She comes at least once a year and we do some baking together. She is just such a sweetheart and adores my kids. I always look forward to having her come. Today I think we will make ginger sparklers and mint brownies.

'TIS THE SEASON

Well, December and all the parties, etc that go along with it has officially arrived. We went to our first (and probably only) Christmas party of the season on November 30. We were invited to a dinner for the ambulance volunteers. It was nothing fancy (obviously, since it is Ross River), but we had a really nice time. We sat at the "non-smoking" table. As Brian says it is a bit like having peeing and no-peeing sections in a swimming pool. At least we were not having cigarette smoke blown directly into our faces. We had a great time, visiting with the nursing staff. The kids didn't have as much fun. This is probably due to the fact that the other kids there were all between the ages of 7 and 9. They basically just ate and then left. The food was o.k. - for those of you fortunate enough to have eaten at the TND, or even to have looked at the place, you will understand what I mean. Definitely not 5 star quality. Oh well, it was nice to get out of the house and socialize with someone other than teachers and students.

We are still having an ongoing battle with the weather - just when we think it is going to warm up, things turn and we get another cold snap around -40. I just keep telling myself that it can't last forever. Down to about -30 is o.k., any colder than that and I don't venture farther than I have to.