Merry Christmas!

May the joy (and chocolate) of the season surround you,

Merry Christmas, from our house to yours!

7 Days - Day 5 - Let the Holidays Begin

Today was a busy work day for me and now I am going to retire to the couch to celebrate the fact that tomorrow, the Christmas holidays officially begin.

And Toblerone and a hot cup of tea are a pretty good way to start, don't you think?

7 Days - Day 4 - Legs

Today was a leg workout with my trainer. It inspired to me to set up my tripod and use my remote shutter button. It also resulted in smoke coming out of my ears and mouth due to difficulties getting me in the right spot for the lens to focus. Good times.

And because I want you all to know that there is still, in fact, junk in the old truck, there is this one. If you don't believe me, then click on the photo and see the note I added in Flickr.

If only I had the mad photoshop skillz to airbrush that out.

Actually scratch that, because this is real. You know with the fake 70's effect and all.

7 days, Day 2 and Christmas Our Style

Day 2 - which was technically yesterday, you all know how it makes my type A personality itchy to be late, however, I never did get an invite to the Flickr group so maybe I don't have to play by the rules anyway?

The theme for day 2 was bright and these new dishes I got for Christmas from my boys are bright and cheery so they fit the bill me thinks. My smile is somewhat misleading, I really am excited about these - they are adorable and fit with our (my) snowman theme.

Day 3 - this idea was much better in my head or of my head.

Get it? Of my head....oh boy, she's lost it again, folks. I think the first sign was a post two days in a row.

Moving on, because I can't just post that. Oh no, how fun would that be?

As I noted last week, we opened our presents together as a family of four this weekend. For the first time ever, I am pleased with the photos I took during such an event. Normally, my shots are all from the wrong angle, at the wrong perspective etc. So for the grandparents, who I hope are interested, here they are.

Working together to open the thing I said we would never get. Yes, that thing. Starts with a "W" and rhymes with me. Uh huh.

Admiring Daddy's new watch.

Playing that other thing I swore we would never own. I caved.

Totally and utterly caved. If you are going to cave you might as well go all the way, right?

But on a good note, the behaviour around here has been stellar.

Gosh, I love these two.

7 Days, Day 1, and some other stuff

I got inspired today to join a group on Flickr called 7 Days (basically, you take a self portrait for 7 days in a row) because, while setting up for a shot of the four of us, I took this one. Great idea during the week of Christmas, no?

It makes me laugh a bit. The hair, the poser pose, it's just funny. Now when I sat down to write this post, I realized that the first day of the 7 day thingamahooey was yesterday. So. A day late and a dollar short, awesome. Good for a laugh anyway.

We were all dolled up for Jack's piano recital you see, so I thought let's take a picture of us all dolled up standing in the doorway. Right, remember that we live in the freaking Arctic. I took two and ran out grabbed my camera and called it a day. Picture to come at a later date.

However, the following gem must be shared.

Kamden is less than impressed waiting for the recital to start. This kid. I love him to bits.

Jack played "Silent Night" beautifully. He is, however, a perfectionist and was not pleased because he had one little bobble in the middle. I am positive he was the only one who noticed (and most likely his teacher because well, she's the expert). Silly boy. Trust me, he did fabulous. His daddy and I couldn't be more proud. Love you dude!

And this is has to be one of the best no parking signs I have ever seen.

That is one threat I am not willing to test.

Friday, Already

A post that I like to affectionately call "Weekend Update". Remember how didn't have a tree up last I posted. Guess what? We still don't.

We weighed our options. Put it up, open presents as a family this weekend (more on that later, don't judge!), spend Christmas with family...we all concluded, even Jack, and Kamden. No tree required.

Our house has been taken over by cheery snowmen but not Christmas tree needles. It's a win win if you ask me.

Now back to opening presents, just the four of us, this weekend. As in tomorrow. December 18th. Gah. That's early.

You see, we have a tradition that we began several years ago.

(Gratuitious adorable princess shot - this is my Goddaughter, Rachel, showing off her princess dress from yours truly. The dress, the curls, the cute, it's too much)

We spend Christmas with both of our extended families. The cousins, the siblings, the fun. We really wouldn't have it any other way. But being greedy and all, we like to also have Christmas, with just the four of us. A day of playing. Together. Unlike any other day the rest of the year because there is no work, no homework, no cooking, no cleaning, no everyday run of the mill take up our time kind of things. Just time together.

This year, the kids are in school until Dec 22. My dad's birthday is on Dec 23. Then it's Christmas Eve. So, given that Sunday is Jack's piano recital, Saturday it is. Early, most definitely but also entirely necessary for this family that likes to spend time together. It isn't at all about the presents even though the kids will tell you it. It is about playing with the new toys or games together. If pressed they will agree. They are still kids living in this capitalist word after all.

See the excitement on Jack's face? I am looking equally forward to it. Who knows, maybe there will be a singing snowman in it for me?

And lastly, because it was adorable, here is Kamden doing his Rocking Around the Christmas Tree dance at last night's school concert. They stole the show as they were the only ones who danced. Head banging 6 year olds are freaking adorable.

Over and out.

Remember Me?

It's been so long I almost forgot my log in information for Blogger. Being December, things have been busy around Chez Lahti.

There's work, piano, soccer, homework and Christmas preparations, not unlike any normal family.

Then there is also the fact that I replaced my laptop and added some fancy new accesories. We are also looking to replace Jay's car. It's a 1988 model. I kid you not.

We recently replaced the muffler and power steering. Then on top of the fact that the windsheild washer sprayer has not worked since sometime in the late 90's, the wipers quit too.

For some reason, that was Jay's last straw.

All fun, to get new toys and such but also time consuming.

The snowmen are all out of storage and spreading cheer but so far, this is the only Christmas tree in the house. We better get on that.


The other day the boys found a Christmas frog that sang Jingle Bell Frog. They wanted to get it. I was incredulous. HOW would that match our snowmen collection? I am mean like that.

How are things with you?

PS nominations for the most boring blog post ever are now open. I think have a good shot.