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Pre-Christmas

December 11, 2005

Pre-Christmas

Christmas Eve - Lethbridge

Christmas Eve - Calgary

Christmas Day - Calgary

Boxing Day - Medicine Hat

December 27, 2005

Post-Christmas

New Year's Eve

January 2006

James and Dad with his new favourite book: "Tails"

Chillin' with Grandpa.

Checking out the presents from the comfort of his new chair.

James tears into the first present of the evening (and his first Christmas present ever!)

Nice new sweater from Grant and Sue.

Jen gets a bunch of cool stuff from Dad and Sue.

A boy and his Grandpa

Grandpa opens a present from his favourite grandson.

A cute little "rooster" hat to keep the little guy warm.

James is sure to be safe in the water in his combination swimsuit and life jacket.

Test driving the new "Dolphin Lagoon" from Grandpa and Sue.

Having some dessert after a nice roast beef dinner followed by several hundred servings of prezzies.

Following in his Mummy's footsteps - reading.

Jose's early Christmas present to himself.

A new way to play with the ExerSaucer.

James loves it when Sam is outside looking in.

Ripping into the first present of Round Two.

A very cool school bus that sings and lights up. James wanted at it immediately.

All he really wanted to do was play with the bus.

Jose works on a gift from James.

Lucky boy - new books AND a new bus.

Sam takes a wary sniff of the gift offered to him. "Am I really allowed?"

After his initial fear, Sam tries out his new rope.

Sporting his new "Punisher" t-shirt, Jose opens up some DVD's (the first of many).

James was more interested in Sam's new toy.

Mum opens a gift with help from James.

A nice little group shot at Jen's mum's house.

Uncle Paul is the first to read "Tails" to James at Nana's house.

Then Auntie Catherine takes a turn.

Christmas tradition: new jammies to wear to bed on Christmas Eve.

Nana saved the day and made up for Jen's OOPS by pulling out some very cute "big boy" jammies for James.

Mum and Paul with their P.J.'s

Jen's jammies match Claire and Catherine's.

Jose thought the snowflakes were pretty cool on his P.J.'s and now the background on his phone is a picture of them.

A very cute, very tired, rather crabby little boy with his new stocking and his Teddy under the Christmas tree.

James discovers the joys a full stocking bring on Christmas morning.

Jose and his new stocking made for him by Elizabeth (with help from Claire and Catherine).

A funky rattle that came out of the stocking.

He's still looking rather tired.

Uncle Paul's drumstick is MUCH more interesting than all of his own loot.

A book, phone and Christmas magnet.

Uncle Paul lends a hand with this one.

Uncle Paul is preparing James to be a drummer. James is thrilled.

Catherine is quite excited about the gift we gave her.

Yep, she's happy.

A rather bemused little Christmas elf.

Trying out the Christmas ornament from Nana.

James wants to play with the dogs in the kitchen.

Opening presents at Auntie Claire's.

Can't wait to have a bath and try out this great pirate ship!

Paul models his "Bubbles" finger puppet.

Everyone's ready for a great supper.

James's first experience with Christmas cracker crowns.

Matching hats - Jose didn't know his mother-in-law was right behind him!

Paul, Catherine, Claire and Jan model their hats obligingly, but what they really want is the food.

James gets a Christmas trim from Auntie Claire.

Claire said he was better than some five-year-olds that she's had as clients! The secret? Feed him Arrowroot cookies.

Yummy new shapes.

Who needs toys when you have tissue paper and Uncle Paul's face?

Having a blast with Uncle Paul.

Doesn't he look spiffy in Chey's hat?

Sammy finally crashes after "dogging" Garbhan for two days straight.

The dogs that play together snooze together.

Sammy starts us off by opening his present first - a very nice blanket.

Jen gets a great present from Julia and Antonio.

Hitching a ride with Papa Toño.

James opens a present from Auntie Natalia and Uncle John.

Papa Toño and James have a heart-to-heart.

Oh wow! This one looks really cool.

It is really cool! A ride-on Winnie-the-Pooh. James was so excited he was literally bouncing in his seat.

A stylish vest from Natalia and John.

A toque and socks from Mom and Dad.

We gave Natalia and John Trivial Pursuit 90's Edition, then got to play it later.

Apparently James isn't the only one who tastes his new stuff.

Two new shirts, one happy guy.

James and his Dad hanging out after supper.

Julia gets a turn to open a present.

Julia's getting into her new sushi set.

Laughing hard with Mama Loli during a diaper change.

James gets a bath from Mama Loli.

Jose opens a belated "Santa" present.

James plays a tune on his xylophone. Uncle Paul would be proud.

The caterpillar from Auntie Natalia and Uncle John is not only tasty, but it sings too!

Creating a masterpiece with a very cool finger painting toy from Adriana.

James shows us how to deal with the problem of a dog being in the way. Step One, place hands on opposite side of the dog from your body.

Step Two: begin working your legs over the dog by digging your knees into his back.

Step Three: Contine pushing with the knees, working your way to the dog's ribcage.

Step Four: One final push with the knees into the dog's gut, and you're over. No more going around! (Poor Sam, he's so patient!)

Sam's view of the world.

Papa Toño and his two shadows.

A busy morning followed by some lunch just knocks a guy right out.

Our new pet.

Our new pet can open and close the door to his new favourite play area.

Sam is resigned to sharing his kennel. Afterall, who could resist such a cutie?

Pre-Christmas

James and Dad with his new favourite book: "Tails"