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Yes - Christmas 2008 was the first white Christmas of Charlie and Emery's young lives. They sure got that milestone out of the way early - especially Emery. Cars were pushed out of embankments, snowmen were built, and most of it went undocumented. We lost our camera a few days before Christmas - only to find it a few days after Christmas. What follows is a partial reconstruction of Christmas 2008 from the sources we were able to cobble together.
White Christmas 2008!
Yes - Christmas 2008 was the first white Christmas of Charlie and Emery's young lives. They sure got that milestone out of the way early - especially Emery. Cars were pushed out of embankments, snowmen were built, and most of it went undocumented. We lost our camera a few days before Christmas - only to find it a few days after Christmas. What follows is a partial reconstruction of Christmas 2008 from the sources we were able to cobble together.
Christmas season for us always starts with a get-together at Randy's Aunt Dianne and Uncle Dwight's. Charlie looks on while his cousin once removed Jamieson goes for the decorations.
The two boys with Mommy and Auntie Celina
On the 14th we picked up our tree and spent the afternoon trimming it.
Our humble tree...
Charlie reading the Grinch, his favourite Christmas book, with Mommy and Emery
On the 16th of December, Auntie Crystal and Cousin Lena came down to visit and finally see Emery (Uncle Derek followed some days later). Here's Auntie Crystal getting her first chance to hold her new nephew.
Emery and Mommy
Nocturne in the key of Charlie
We returnded to Grandma and Grandpa's on the 17th to visit with Cousin Lena and family, here's Charlie stealing one of Lena's toys...
and then giving it back.
The night of the 18th, we took in the famous Trinity Street Christmas Lights.
On the 19th we visited again with Cousin Lena and family. Here's Charlie teaching Lena some bad habits.
December 21st. Snow day! The whole family went out for a walk.
Charlie in the snow
On the 23rd we paid a visit to Opa and Seya's. Here's Opa with Emery.
Emery with Rosi.
Christmas eve is always spent with Opa and Family. This year, with the snow, we managed to get hopelessly stuck just outside our parking garage. Anita and the boys made the rest of the journey by bus, while Randy went to work. Here they are arriving.
Charlie with BFF Rosi
As evening descended, some of us bundled up and went outside to play in the snow. Her's Charlie mastering the art of the 'Facewash' with Rosi.
Charlie loved the snow!
Charlie on top of the giant snowbank in front of Opa's house, which he named Mt. Crumpit (from The Grinch...)
After climbing mt. Crumpit we built a snowman and named him Frosty (of course)
With Opa and Frosty
Charlie, buttoning up his Christmas sweater
Emery - an ice guy!
Uncle Peter and Auntie Ludmilla enjoying a tender moment with Emery...
Before Charlie horns in.
Charlie, Rosi and Lor - self portrait
With Christmas Eve comes the traditional Zaenker-Martell jam session.
Daddy and Emery - out cold.
Christmas day took us to Grandma Ailsa's in the morning (no pictures... yet) and Grandma and Grandpa Gatley's in the evening. Here's Charlie wearing the lovely Winnie the Pooh outfit he received from Auntie Ludmilla and Uncle Peter.
Lena squeezing her new cousin tight.
Auntie Crystal posing with all the cousins together.
For Christmas, Grandma sewed Charlie and Emery these killer chef's costumes. Here's Emery in his - lovin' every minute of it.
And here's Charlie in his - trying to break the record for 'most costumes worn at the same time.'
Lena kissing her new cousin - awww.
On the 28th, our old high-school friend Sarah and her sister Jill visited. Here's Charlie with Sarah.
Emery, pensive post-bath
Charlie the Pooh. Jonesin' for a hunny fix.
Charlie in the kitchen. Better watch your iron back Feenie - someone's gunnin' for ya!
Emery wearing his - I kid you not - hand-me-down Pierre Cardin sleeper. Which also looks a lot like junior Klan apparel when he has the hood up. Hmmm...
Mr. Style with his Grandma Ailsa