Birthdays!!!!!!!!!

T  (This is taken from our back porch)

Well, this has been another busy-busy time of the year for us. Not so much preparing for Christmas (as we try to keep it relatively small) but for everything that comes with the season. EX: Christmas Parties, Music recitals, Dance, Family get-togethers, and three birthdays.

(Sanjay eating his suriname supper mom cooked; Roti, Curry chicken, Shrimp tomatoe Bami, and cukes in vinegear.)

Sanjay's  eleventh birthday was on the 5th Yes, getting pretty big I suppose, but not to big that he can't look completely adorable as he blows out his candles on the big chocolate cake (believe it or not, between the 5 of us, the cake was finished off in two days) smothered in mint icing.

(It took two big blows to get rid of the 11 flickering flames)

Mom's   birthday was on the 8th and we got to share it with some great friends down at Granville Island. It was really nice, and I didn't go scout out a bench to sit on even once while we were shopping (besides Sanjay, I was engulfed in shoppers so I didn't really have a choice. lol!). Soon enough, it was time to head to the Keg for a delicious meal which preceded a fancy chocolate desert in which we all joined in an enthusiastic chorus of "Happy Birthday" before it disapeared beneath it's circle of fan's wielding spoons and forks.

*Sigh* I love birthdays! Although by the time Chad's comes (on the 21st) I am rather sick of chocolate cake. Maybe I can talk him in to settling for one of my pies..... I doubt it will be able to beat mom's infamous chocolate cake however..... so maybe (for the sake of my ego) I won't mention pie at all.

We went to a light show in Stanley Park after, and here is a picture of one of seven little masked bandits we saw. When I was little I always wanted a  raccoon that I could name rascal. I almost got the opportunity when some friends shot a momma raccoon that happened to have three little guys running around, but Dad decided they would be better off at a rescue. (I think my friends Dad just added them to his "tail" collection.)

"Oh the roads outside are frightful..."

Brrrrr!!!!

We had windchills the other day that brought the temperature up to -25. I didn't even think it was possible to get so cold here on the coast?!! Yesterday it was -18 out, and today it finally dropped to -10.

I managed to get a couple of cute pictures of the dogs when we went out on our walk on sunday. The roads are incredibly icy.... Dad doesn't want mom driving on it, so we have been housebound since saturday. It's funny how you might not even notice being home for 4 days in an ordinary circumstance, but when you know you can't get out it's terribly irritating. But as most of you probably know, I have always loved snow, so it can't bother we too much. *Ugh* Despite the fact that I can't get to work... haha!

Here are the chihuahua's on a freshly shoveled porch. It didn't take long for the porch to be filled up again.

The boys having a ball in the snow. Just look at that smile!!

King was bundled up in Dad's jacket as we went off to the park with a couple sleds and the GT in tow.

It didn't take long for King to remember he was no longer the young pup that used to live outside in the caribou

Here is my courageous mother with our life-fluid of "hot-chocolate" who ended up bringing us through a snowstorm on the way back from the park, and still manage to say that she would "do it again". Yay for mom!

Here is my favorite picture I took of Little Sadie. Isn't she adorable?

But after it all, we found out that "... the fire is so delightful" as we sleepily snacked on mom's "sweet-potatoe muffins" which we found delightfully delicious.

A New Baby!

 My cousin had her baby at midnight on the 23rd! A darling little girl named "Mya". Isn't she precious? We are going to visit her tomorrow. It's almost like having my first niece.

Little Mya after her 1st bath

Salut, amie.Ça va?

I am alive and well (in case you were wondering), and it seems as though life keeps us in a steady whirl of activity... and yet when someone asks you what you've been doing, the only answer you can give them is a monotonous "school, work, life" to which they return a rather droll "wow....sounds thrilling??!!" For those people, I have decided to explain myself and how I have previously answered that friendly inquiry.

School is... well, it's school. Nobody wants to hear about it, so I go on to tell about work.We have some thrilling experiences occur within the sturdy red walls of the Cooper's barn, which I am positive people would find intriguing. Yet, when I announce something that should bring fascinating horror to the faces of my audience they reply with a mild "Cool!" and then proceed to change the subject. For example:

(In a group setting ages 15 - 19 and Chad)

Friend: So how is work going for you?

Me: *voice is threaded with severity* " Actually, we've been run ragged dealing with one thing after the other. Yesterday we dealt with a dreadful case of dieldrin intoxication, and we have our previously best-milker barely recovering from Ketosis and she still hasn't cleaned 11 days after calving!" 

Friend: "Huh!"

Others: *a second of silence* "Oh yeah *blank*"

 Chad: "Did you hear that "Joe's" Dad got him a PS3 for Christmas?!"

Other People: "No WAY! Did you hear about ......."

 Me : (I try not to let my mouth drop open in disbelief. After an announcement like that.... it's incredible. I want to go on to explain to them that "Ketosis is also known as acetonemia" and what it takes to abort it, but an enthusiastic conversation (brought about by my 12 yr old brother no less) has erupted on the latest gadget.... one that I can already taste with a flavor of imminent dislike.)

Thus you can now see why I reply to friendly inquiries rather blandly. LoL.

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     Random notes

• I'm loving Scottish Country Dancing,  and have been able to go to two formal dances since my last post.
• Did Redeye give you nightmares? (I need a vote to give back to a friend of mine)
• Danielle and I decided to start working on doing a mini choir in the church for Christmas. It may be rusty now, but with Danielle directing and Nadia at the piano, I am sure we can sound like angels yet.
• Cornmazes are meant for getting lost in.
• Trimming a Donkey's hooves takes 4 people, and is an experience of a life-time.
• Rain is wet
• I haven't applied yet, but I am awaiting a letter from UCFV regarding application.
• Babysitting for people who do not spank their kids is a nightmare. It also makes you love your own brothers more.
• Lesson for a walk in Novemeber: If it's sunny when you leave the house, it will be downpouring by the time you get back. Result : Muddy Dog. Drenched girl. Ruined jeans.
• Sanjay got a PY.90 dirt bike. Chad has a PY.90 dirt bike. Anyone want to come for a ride?
• I learned to knit this week!
• I've decided to cross-stich or emboss any cards I give over Christmas.
• My highschool portfolio is nearly completed.
• Mom's birthday gift hasn't arrived yet! Please hurry up, mailman!

Goin' dancin'

 Eeeek! I know it's been a while since I posted.... but I won't try to fill in the gap. This saturday I went to a Scottish Country Dance with the CCC, and it was sooo much fun! I think I must have had a huge grin on my face the whole time, because my feet and calves aren't the only muscles that still feel sore. Smiling hurts. There was a live band doing the music (which was so beautiful), and we tied up three hours of dancing with the Virginia Reel which left you happily exhausted.

Guess what? I forgot my camera! Although I do have some pictures mom took of me wearing the dress after she finished sewing it.

It was so 'swishy' I just loved it. Thankyou so much Mom ! Now I just have to get that whole "twirl" thing down. Care to help me, TB? LoL!

       Me and my kitty (she's not as demonic as she looks right there.)

* Winston is prohibited from using this picture as "evidence" on the evilness of felines