Need to catch up on last month. . . we had a wonderful visit that cannot go unmentioned. My sister Kristi, cousin Heidi and friend Johanna, all from Edmonton, came for a 5 day visit. It was great to see them all again and show them our fabulous capital. They even got to see the PM, GG and Prince of Wales! (At a Remembrance Day event downtown.) We had a lovely time at the spa in Quebec...always a favourite place. And the ladies spoiled us at almost every meal with wonderful food (yes, I know, I'm the host and should be making food for them!) We went for some great walks and had some memorable stops at coffee shops (complete with a temper tantrum!). Thanks for the visit ladies!

Fun in the play room...

Ahhh, the ol' 'I'm sleeping' game!

Felix got his fill of books with all the available literate folk around.

Eggs Benedict with hashbrowns...what a way to start our day!

Our day on Parliament Hill.

Inside Centre Block, in the House of Commons. It would have been neat to go to Question Period but the House wasn't sitting that week (do I sound authentic or what?!). But because no one was present, we had a great look inside. The stained glass is beautiful.

The kids did surprisingly well during the tour. It helps that the adults outnumbered the kids!

The Senate...

Gorgeous ceiling!

If asked, I don't know where I would call 'home' these days. But when I see those Alberta skies, the Rockies, and the fields of wheat...I do smile.

Letting loose again!

Johanna splurged on the kids and got them each a polar bear cookie at Starbucks (they really are quite good). Felix worked so hard at his...but in the end we had to sneak it away from him. He was so determined but it had him beat!

Last stories and goodbyes.

Some more quality time with Uncle Matt.

...living with a 20 month old! When we all had the flu last month, I made the mistake of leaving a box of kleenex's in the kids' room. Well, during Felix's 'nap' he discovered the never-ending supply of tissues. He emptied the whole box and then walked around the room with the box on his foot. Here's my attempt to salvage the debris!

Ballet!

The girls performed on the last day of class...

...Brig did great.

Our weekends have been taken up by Christmas baking. These are called Dominosteine.

After layering red currant jelly and marzipan between the gingerbread, we cut them into squares and then dunk them into chocolate.

The tree is up and smelling marvelous!

And just in time, the snow has arrived. I'm not going to complain anymore about 6ºC weather...today it's -18ºC.

Whoops. Brig started calling out that she was cold. And I didn't realise that it was because she was walking around with a barefoot in the snow! Take care everyone. We wish you a blessed Advent.