Blessed Happy New Year

As I finish blogging our 7 of 7 Christmas' both here and back in SK, I have come to realize how lucky we are that we are able to spend the holidays with all of our families.

Yes it is insane that we have 7 Christmas' but somethings are beyond our control and really it is what it is.  It is a tonne of work, exhausting and I always seem to dread it but am so happy we did it in the end.  I wouldn't have it any other way.

There is nothing in this world that is more important than family and at the end of the day, that is what you want your children to learn.  The time spent with them is worth more than any single material possession you will receive at any such Christmas.

So as I finish this final blog of 2010, I am busy watching Greg finish up the appy's for our NYE get together in Red Deer.  Yes you read right, we're heading out back on the road today and going to bring in the new year with Jimmy, Nancy, Madi, Tanner + Kristy.

I hope you all had an amazing 2010 and I know most of my readers did and I wish you all an even more amazing 2011.  Much love to you all!



PS  I am working on a 2010 in Pictures blog that I hope to have finished early next week for you all to see.  It's amazing how much has changed in Casa De Florizone but the changes were spectacular to say the least.  I keep asking myself how 2011 is going to be better.....

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

A Florizone Family Christmas!

Finally!!  Christmas #7 of 7!!  I always dread Christmas because for us it is so insanely busy but in the end I am so happy we come because it is a lot of fun and I love seeing all of our family and I want Finley   + Penelope to grow up knowing all members of their families!

The last Christmas was held in the evening on December 27th at Greg's Grandma Janet's Ammenities Room at her condo.  As always, it was a tonne of fun although we definitely were missing Neil, Aunty Marleen, Uncle Ken, Ryan + Colleen!  

Penelope being amused by Emma, Nicole + Kayla

Finley was watching her Great Grandma Janet get all the food ready for the Christmas meal.  It was delicious!

Finley + Uncle Brad playing Shuffle Board.  We played a lot of Shuffle Board

Penelope being spoiled by Aunty Linda.  We were grateful for her, Uncle Warren + Uncle Bruce for holding her while she slept so we could eat and visit with others!  We definitely appreciated it!

Finley who was amazingly well behaved considering how busy we were and all the travelling and being around strange places.  I was very proud of her!

Greg's youngest cousin Emma who kept us very amused during dinner.  It was a definite joy sitting with her!  I was happy to discover that she also does not like cheese.  Glad it's not just me!

Greg's cousins Eric, Emma. Nicole + Kayla

More shuffleboard!

And even more!

Getting ready for the dutch auction.  We changed the rules this year and it wasn't as fun or successful as previous years but kudos to Aunty Donna for suggesting the change.  Some aspects were good, others not so much.  But definitely happy that it was like 90 minutes instead of the 2+ hours it normally ends up being.

Finley shaking the dice for everybody.  She was the official dice shaker for one of the plates.  She was very happy with this responsibility

Penelope getting her hands dipped in paint.  For what you ask?

A canvas full of Florizone Family handprints....why you ask?

Penelope's hand print - well kind of but it was the best we could do with a 4 month old

That was Finley's hand print.  I believe she did it 2 or 3 times.

Finley watching.  We took their shirts off so that no paint accidentally got on them

Greg putting down his handprint.  I also did mine but I couldn't take my own photo while doing it.  Greg's cousin Sarah is in first year Medicine at the UofS and they were raising money for charity by creating random art projects.  I am hoping to find out more info on this as I think it would be cool to have.

Penelope getting spoiled by her cousins.  Penelope was also very well behaved considering she like never napped.  She's so afraid that she will miss something so she stays awake whenever she is away from home.

It was a great way to cap off the Christmas Season!

  As much as I love my family, and I do, I was very happy to head back to Calgary even if we did detour through Edmonton.....but I will save that for another blog.

A Christmas Visit with Grandpa Emil + Grandma Annette

On the morning of the 27th, we headed over to Greg's Grandpa Emil + Annette's for a Christmas lunch

Penelope meeting her Great Grandpa Emil for the first time

Penelope checking out  her cousin Rachele + Great Uncle Gary

Finley visiting with Great Grandpa Emil

The Florizone boys with Finley squished in

Annette had this booster ready for Finley and I was like she hates those things but Finley proved me wrong and ate in it

Brandon, Greg, Emil (back row)

Gary, Brad, Aaron (front row)

Florizone boys

Greg, Emil and the girls.  Finley would NOT co-operate at all!

Penelope clearly very happy to be held by Great Grandma Annette

Their beautiful Christmas tree!  It was like 10 feet high!  I loved it.

Finley and her new best friend Rachele

Finley playing with her Great Uncle Gary + Great Aunt Teresa

Finley and her other new best friend Brandon!  He + Uncle Gary taught her how to rub balloons on her head + stick to the wall.  She loved it.

We don't get to see them very much so it was fun to spend lunch and most of the afternoon with them!  Finley was having so much fun playing with Brandon + Rachele and even her aunts + uncles were in on the fun!

A Very Diederichs Christmas

On Boxing Day we traditionally gather at Greg's Grandpa + Grandpa Diederichs' place for their big Christmas get together.  Just about the whole family was there with a few exceptions - The Taylors in Orlando and Anthony who was visiting his wife in Kiev.  We definitely missed having them around!

Here is Finley upon arrival with her new most coolest toy ever - it's a thing-a-ma-jig.  Yes that's what it is called - I didn't forget the name of it.  It's mouth moves when you press his tummy.  They are so cool!  Penelope got a purple one.  They were featured on Ellen.

A bunch of Diederichs boys + Penelope

Uncle Brian, Grandpa John, + Uncle Larry

Penelope wearing her Christmas hat courtesy of traditional Christmas crackers

Finley + Kool Kat Kohl wearing their hats

Greg + Penelope waiting for the dutch auction to begin

Penelope and her cousin Kristen

Finley playing with Uncle Larry + Uncle Brian

Finley was clearly amusing Uncle Brian + Scott but not too sure what it was

Uncle Aaron cutting the tag off of Finley's cool new light up toy

Finley figured she was the Christmas present

Grandma Erna getting the presents ready.  This side of Greg's family does the dutch auction a little differently then most.  Grandma Erna buys them then we draw numbers, pick and trade.  It is much more calmer then the Florizone one usually is

Greg picking his present.

Finley had a blast hanging out with Great Grandpa John.  They colored and did shots of Christmas punch.  I normally wouldn't let Finley drink that stuff but how do you say no to Grandpa John and besides they both had a blast.

Best photo ever - Finley wearing a hat Uncle Lionel I think brought to the party

And then it was Grandma Gail's turn

Finley and Grandpa John doing some hand clapping

Now it was Grandpa John's turn to wear the hat

Finley putting the hat on Kristen.  I think everybody wore it!

Finley pointing some decorations out to her Great Aunty Denise!

As per usual, a great time was had at this Christmas get together! It's always nice to visit with one another as this is the only time that many of us get to see each other!