Skating with Mel

Before she came out, Mel had asked to schedule a skate night. Sounded like a great idea, so we dragged our lazy selves out of the house to go skating. Well, we showed up so sullen face and tired looking that Mel felt bad for asking us to go. We really did want to skate, we're just being lazy from taking time off. We had a great time, although Depak's back didn't hold up as well as last time.

It was nice to be out and exercising, even if it was slow and not very graceful. Mel, don't worry, you skate just fine for us. And Chelsea did great skating; she always worries about the fall. Nat enjoys the fast stroll on the ice (I think, as she doesn't complain).

Before we finished, I let Nat walk on the ice in her boots (and yes, no helmut - but I was holding on to her real tight). She was so excited to be on the ice. She "dragged" me around the little rink a couple of times, and then used the skating "helper", and we went around a few more times. She was not pleased to leave the ice.

Daddy's helper

Depak was out sweeping the leaves on Christmas Eve, and it was too nice to keep Nat indoors, so I sent her out with him. She wasn't content to just be outside, she wanted to help daddy. So, we got out the broken broom, and let her sweep. It was so cute!

Turkey on Boxing Day with the Parmars

We managed to get through Christmas with only one turkey dinner, which was more than enough for us. Parveen and BJ hosted, and made the turkey, with Gurpreet and I making the appetizers and sides. The cousins were able to make it out. Dinner was great!

Nat played so well with Pierre, and Arjun and Shushmita were as cute as ever! Nat discovered Arjun's guitar, and Cha chi ji taught her to say "rockstar" when she played it. It was too cute.

After dinner we played Password (I think). It was a fun game that was simple, and was able to involve everyone (except the little ones). At the end of the night we broke out guitar hero.

Christmas with the Zseders

Another adopted family we share our time with. We were able to spend the afternoon and late evening just hanging out and relaxing, eating too much food, playing games and chatting. It was a great day! Thank you Zseder family!

And, yeah, Mel came out earlier this year! It was great to see her Christmas day!

Christmas Morning!!!

Christmas morning we start with stockings. This year, breakfast was made, Depak and I had showered, and stockings didn't start until after 10am (that's when Chelsea got up). It was a very nice start to the busy day.

This was our first Christmas with Arjun, and what a cutie he is! Depak's brother, sister-in-law, and sister came over for continental breakfast (yummy muffins) and then we opened some presents. Nat loves her Bha Ji, and was trying to help him with the raspberry teether (but not the presents).

It started too look like a wrapping paper pile when the gifts were open. We love being able to put smiles on our girls faces at Christmas. We try hard not to go overboard and commercialize Christmas, but some special treats are always warranted.

Nat wasn't too impressed with all the gifts. Too many for her, I think. Once all the wrapping paper was gone, and she could play with the presents, she was happy. She probably was tired of all the clothes too!
And then the present that topped all presents: the snowboard from Uncle Walter. Way to go Uncle! I am so proud to see the bond that has developed between Walt and Cheslea over the years, and you can tell that Chelsea holds a pretty special place in Walter's life too. Just wait Nat, Uncle Walter will spoil you just as well.

Christmas Eve!

Christmas Eve the festivities begin, and so does the food.

We start our Christmas Eve by joining our Church family at the Christmas Eve Service, which is a candle light service with carols, reading the Christmas story from the Bible, special music, etc. I especially enjoyed the special music this year, with Rachel and her Dad sining a duet together, as well as the ladies singing O Beautiful Star. Depak had not heard that song before; it is one of my favorites. Nat kept singing "shine on, shine on".

Afterwards we join our Cornwall/Lusty family for appetizers, good fellowship, and a few gifts. We look forward to this every year, just makes the holidays feel like they've started.

This year I had Chelsea bring her flute to play Christmas carols for us to sing, which she played for the kids Christmas program. When I was a kid, each Christmas we would have to do our part from our Christmas programs in front of the grandparents and aunts and uncles, so many times I had to bring out my trombone and play a piece, or say my lines. I was glad to pass on that tradition, although I don't think Chelsea was.

Merry Christmas from the Parmar Family

Merry Christmas from the Parmar Family!!!

Love: Depak, Tillie, Chelsea, Natalie, and a little one on the way!!!

Kids Christmas Program

Our church kids did an awesome job with their Christmas production this year. Its so great to see them get involved. All kids from the small 2 year-olds to the teens playing in the orchestra. The kids in the play did great; there is definitely some talent in those kids. And the choir sang out very loud. Kudos to Elise, our great director!

Our Nat was a cute little cow in the manger scene, and sang Away in a Manger and Silent night (not so much sinigng on her part as much as sitting a looking cute with the other little animals - although she wouldn't wear the ears).

Chelsea played her flute in the orchestra, which sounded great for every song.

HAC Christmas Skate 2009

There are a few things I look forward to this time of year, and the annual HAC Christmas skate is one of my favorites. We don't go skating much, but we look forward to skating with our church family. it is so much more fun to go skating with friends then to go with just a couple of people, as you know almost everyone on the ice.

We also get to enjoy some home baked goodies and carroling afterwards, which is a treat.

Each year uncle Walter joins us skating, and this year Depak's brother, sister-in-law and our adorable nephew came out to. It is so great to do things with family, we are so priviledged to have great family close by (although we do miss our farther away family this time of year).

The girls photo shoot

Here are some of the pictures from the girls photo shoot a couple of weeks ago.

Daddy's Work Kids Christmas Party

We got to enjoy a Kids Christmas Party at Depak's work this year. The organizers did a great job. Nat got to decorate cookies and paint a jar, and her big sister was so willing to help out. Chelsea loves to do those types of crafty things, but not for herself, she'd rather be helping Nat.

After lunch, we sang a lovely rendition of Frosty the Snowman (too many words in that song), and then Santa came. Depak's co-worker was a good sport and dressed up for the kids.

Because this was a family event, we told Chelsea she had to sit with Santa for a picture. I think she is getting too cool for Santa (at least when her friends aren't around).

And Nat, who loves to see Santa from a distance ("Santa, ho, ho, ho," she says), and will wave ever so cutely, did not want to sit on his lap. Depak took the token picture with Nat and Santa this year (I got to do it last year).

It was definitely a nice way to spend some time with the family.

Decorating the tree

We bought ourselves a fake Christmas tree this year. Last year I plugged the central vac with pine needles, so it was probably a good time to make the switch. Although getting a real tree is fun, it is also a lot of work, and for two accountants who are too busy as it is, we would probably not have gotten around to getting a real tree.

Well, we opened up the tree, plugged it in, and decorated, all in one night. Not bad for the Parmar family (we never do things quickly).

And now our house seems just a little more cheery. I love the glow of the lights, the reflection in the window, even if the fresh pine smell is missing. We may not be ready for Christmas this year (the only presents ready for the tree are for all the cousins), but we have a good looking tree.

Chelsea decorated the little tree, and put a string of lights on it. She did a great job.

The Santa Shuffle

Shuffle is about as much as we did at this walk, but it was great to get out and support the Salvation Army. My sister-in-law organized the event for us, and we all got out and walked the very cold early December morning.

Some Santa Shuffle highlights:
1. Arjun so cute in his hat
2. Santa was there!
3. Depak leading our walking group, which never happens, except Depak was cold :)
4. BJ organizing a fun morning out with the family
5. Hot chocolate and cookies, can't forget the treats
6. I did beat 'em all in the end, as I couldn't help but run to the finish

Daddy's b-day

I was so diligent about posting our girls b-days, and was not very successful at posting daddy's. I'm sorry honey. No excuses are good enough.

Well, it was our daddy's b-day a couple of weeks ago. Depak forever gave me hints of what to get for his birthday, but I was completely oblivious to these hints, as I had no clue what he wanted. He still hasn't told me, says I can still get it for him. Wow, he's harder to read than a wife (haha). Anyway, we got him a touque and some candy. Not very exciting, I know.

Chelsea made the cake, and Nat attempted to help blow out the candle, but she was too afraid of the fire. It was very cute.

Here's to hoping I do a better job next year! Happy birthday honey!