It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas 2010!

With the anticipation of Christmas approaching, so came the first snowfall!  I was anxious to see what Jennie would think of the snow, but to my surprise, she just marched right out of the house like it wasn't there!!  Not until I pointed it out, and started talking about it, did she take an interest in it.
Unfortunately, we all came down with a cold/flu a few weeks before Christmas, and ended up passing it back and forth throughout the holidays.  My dream of the first Christmas together as a family, and spending it with our extended families, was somewhat shattered.  Yes, Joad, Jennie and I were together, and yes, we were finally a family, but there's nothing like a good case of the flu, and a child waking up on Christmas morning with a fever, to put a damper on it!!  We only spent Christmas with a few of our extended family members, instead of everybody, and, in my haze of nasal congestion & sleep deprivation, I only video taped Christmas morning with Jennie opening her stocking, presents etc.  No still photos!!  Oh well, I still have the video (which is great!), and our memories of our first, very special Christmas morning.

P.S.  Maybe I can get Jan to show me how to upload some video, and I'll include it in another post in the future.....keep your fingers crossed!

Jennie's first taste of snow!  She exclaimed, "COLD!!"

                                           

Trying to catch snowflakes with her tongue

Getting ready to write "Sanka Cause" (how Jennie pronounces Santa Claus!)

The finished letter to Santa!  She asked for her play kitchen as she loves to help Muma cook!
Whenever anyone asked her what she wanted for Christmas, Jennie would always say, "Sanka Cause going bring Jennie a play chicken"!!!  (Her pronunciation of kitchen sounded like chicken!)

Making sure the Santa letter gets into the mail box!

Dressed up for a Christmas party....love the little black party shoes!

                       

Jennie & Maelyn posing in front of Maelyn's Christmas tree

Decorating the Christmas tree.....and to all of you who thought I would have "rearranged" the ornaments Jennie put on the tree, I didn't touch a one......well, not at first anyway!

Wearing muma's shoes!




The next bunch of pictures were taken at our Christmas get together with Jan, Paul & Maelyn.  We (the adults) were all so excited about our first Christmas with the girls!!   Joad & I felt  blessed to be able to share this special holiday with Jan, Paul & Maelyn, and we hope this will be the first of many, many more to come!

Opening presents

Fall fun and Hallowe'en too!

With each new season, came new experiences for Jennie, as she adapted to her life with us, and to the weather and traditions of Canada.  It was so fun, and comforting to see her personality bloom, as she became more comfortable and attached to us, and family.

Raking leaves at the cottage, Thanksgiving weekend, 2010

                                    

Jennie finds a treasure amongst the leaves (old fishing bobber)

                                     

Play date giggles with BFF, Maelyn

Trying to get the girls to look at the camera while hugging was impossible!  This picture was the best I could do.

Taking turns sitting on each others lap, while sitting in the booster seat

                                     

Helping Daddy put together her new wagon she received from Muma's friends at work

Finished product.....Ta Da!!

                                    

First time carving a pumpkin.....she loved being able to grab the "guts" of the pumpkin, then would say, "Ewwwwww!", and laugh!!    :)    So fun for Muma & Daddy to watch.

The finished pumpkin

Already for trick or treating!  It was pretty cold, so she had her snow suit on that night.

Our little Angel!  This costume has been the 1st Hallowe'en costume worn by all the Sinclair nieces & nephew, beginning with Justin, 30 years ago!  It's a tradition in our family, and I will be keeping the costume for the next generation.

Meeting up with cousins, Bree & Brayden, adding to the fun of the night.  At first, Jennie didn't really get the whole concept of Hallowe'en, but after visiting a couple of houses, she soon caught on.......knock on door, look really cute, say trick or treat in your cutest baby voice, get candy!!!   We were only planning on going to a few houses, but Jennie had a different plan, and promptly told Daddy, "No home Daddy!" and kept dragging him to house after house!! 

I guess Jennie felt that everyone needed a costume, so she put her sunglasses on Belle, and then laughed hysterically! 

 Coming up in the next post......getting ready for Christmas!!  Stay tuned.........                                 

Our Baby's Christening Day....

For Jennie's christening, we decided on a small ceremony in our back yard with family present.  The minister that married Joad's sister, Lake and her husband Tyrone, and christened their children, Bree & Brayden, performed the service.  It was beautiful, complete with a sunny September day.  We couldn't have asked for anything more perfect........

Our invitation we made on the computer....I was very proud of this techno moment!

I love this picture of Jennie & I chose it for the invitation as she looks so peaceful....appropriate for a celebration with God.  

 

Our beautiful princess!  When she saw this dress, she said, "Oooooooh, nice!"

                                                

Mommy & daughter

Jennie and her cousins, Bree & Brayden

Catherine performing the service

Jennie's Godparents, Auntie Jessie & Uncle Charlie Lund, and Auntie Pam Lunney

Receiving the sign of the Cross with Holy water....Jennie wasn't too keen on this part!

Part of the ceremony included lighting candles.....one candle was lit in remembrance of Jennie's birth family........

...one was lit in remembrance of her foster family.....

....and one represented our newly formed family.  This was my favourite part of the ceremony, and I'm so glad Catherine suggested it. 

The cake we served with tea and punch.....just a very simple celebration.

The happy family (Jennie wasn't looking so happy....more tired!)

We had pictures taken with the Godparents.....one with Auntie Pam.....

...then, one with Auntie Jessie and Uncle Charlie.

                                      

Us with Granny & Dado Sinclair.....Joad, open your eyes!

Us with Nana & Papa Richard Fenton, and Papa Jim McDonald

                                    

Group shot with us, Catherine, and the children.
 Catherine affectionately referred to Bree, Brayden and Jennie, as "my kids".

                                     

Wonderful picture of Daddy & Jennie, taken by Papa Richard.

                                    

Mmmmmmm, cake! 

                                   

Summer pictures and stuff.......

When I think back, the summer was fairly quiet.....just as we had planned, so Jennie could adjust to life here, and to all of her new family members.  The following are just various pictures of the rest of the summer......







Leanne's annual family picnic on mum's side.....everyone couldn't wait to meet Jennie!



Accepting a sweet treat ( whipped cream) from her cousin






Going for her first ride in Daddy's car......we went to the drive-in....she had a blast!  She kept honking the horn when the movie started.....I'm sure people loved us for that!!

                                     

Going for a bike ride....people say I look goofy in my bike helmet....what do you think??

Having a happy moment.....she has such an infectious laugh

The picture we used for her christening invitations......our sleeping angel.  Joad and I managed to figure out how to "write" on the picture with the computer, then printed them with our printer......cost effective!



For a short while, Jennie would go inside this cupboard several times a day....this was one of those times!



These three pictures were taken at  the playground in high park.....a very popular place!

                                     



Every parent has a "spaghetti face" picture, don't they????



Wearing a bowl on your head is too funny!

"How do I look in this one?"

                                     


You always have to wear your bowl when driving your ice cream truck

                                      


Walking Belle....too cute!

                                      


First hair cut here at home.....she had a choice of where she wanted her hair cut.....in a car, boat, helicopter or on a horse.  She chose the car.....like father, like daughter!

                                     
                                   



Jennie and best pal, Maelyn, having fun in the pool!

                                      


The girls sitting at their own table for dinner.....they ended up eating each others dinner!

                                    
Before we knew it, the summer was over.....it went by so fast!  Our little cupcake has grown so much since these pictures were taken. 
That's all for now.  See you at the next post!