Christmas 2007

Here comes Grammie and Matthew down the stairs early Christmas morning...

Matty and teddy crawled into the mega-block wagon from Grammie and Grampy. It's a tight squeeze, but worth it!

On the webcam with Nan and Grampy...Buttons got in there too!

Superstar in the making!!

Goofing around in his new tunnell - I think Riley wants to get in too!

Getting to the other end of the tunnel to get to Grampy

Getting clean in the tub with Grammie and Grampy!
Snuggling with Dad in his sleeper made by Nan, just before bedtime.

Mountsbery Conservation Area

It appears that Chad almost has the wing span of a golden eagle! Here we are at Mountsberg Conservation Area. They host Christmas Town every year where you get to visit Santa's cottage. But they also have many birds of prey at the park that have been injured in some way. We toured around and saw eagles and owls.

Visiting the birds of prey before our sleigh ride...there are also bison and elk at the park, but the trails were too covered (and we didn't have enough time) for us to go see them.

While we waited for our turn to go to Santa's village, a big screen version of "Frosty" was playing for the kids. Matthew was mesmorized by the movie and just stood and watched.

We were taken on a sleigh ride to get from the Conservation Area Welcome Centre to Santa's village. It was very fun!

Matthew is helping Dad make a tin ornament for the tree. Matty is quite handy with the hammer!

Grammie and Grampy with Matthew in Mrs. Clause's kitchen while we waited for Santa.

When Mrs. Clause came to get us to go see Santa, we weren't sure how Matthew would react. But he went right to Santa, pointed to him and called him by name. Matthew was so good and content sitting with Santa and Mrs. Clause. I guess he wants to make sure he stays on the nice list!

The whole family with Santa and Mrs. Clause. After our visit was over Matthew said "bye" and waved to Santa. It was so cute!!

First "Real" Haircut

Today Matthew got his first "real" haircut - and by real, I mean not a Mom quick snip across the bangs. He went to Melonheads, which is a place just for kids. He did very well at the hairdresser and they gave him a special certificate, took his picture, and saved some hair. Shown above is Matthew before his haircut (also sporting his Santa's little helper outfit from Grammie and Grampy).

Here is my big boy (sniff, sniff) after his haircut. He looks so grown up and handsome!

Matthew loves sharing...other people's food...

You absolutely cannot eat in front of Matthew - he is worse than Riley! Here he is sharing pita bread with Aunt Lauren or "Nen" according to Matthew.

Every morning after Matthew has his toast, cereal, yogurt, and milk he climbs onto the couch to share some of Dad's cereal. He is so proud when I catch them sharing!

Matthew is taking a sip of Uncle Paul's water

Baby It's Cold Outside

Saturday morning we all got bundled up to take Riley to the dog park. Matty looks the the stay puff marshmellow man in his snowsuit! It's pretty easy these days to get and keep the hat on...but mitts are another story. He puts one in his mouth to free one hand, and then uses his free hand to rip off the second mitt...ingenious :-)

Being Goofy

Matthew's First Christmas Concert!

So this afternoon was Matthew's first Christmas concert. And what was his role you ask? Angel? Elf? Nope - he sat in a stroller on the stage. Did that stop us from acting like all the other crazy parents who were desparately trying to capture a picture of their child? No way! I snapped about 15 of Matthew from this distance - as you can tell, he is barely visible (and Chad had the video camera rolling with a much better zoom!). Just in case you haven't spotted him, he is the blonde head on a teacher's lap in the centre. In any event, the concert was very fun and we were very proud of our boy who behaved so well!

Here is Matthew playing peek-a-boo in the triple stroller

Matthew running towards me while I snap a picture and Dad films it in the background.

Matty and Dad after the concert.

Matty with a big grin at home, after the concert.

Here is a picture from this past weekend. Matthew was so tired in the car that Chad was able to carry him upstairs where the two of them had a nap. How cute!!

St. Jacobs

Today we drove to St. Jacobs, which is near Waterloo. It is a very nice, small town. We had the most delicious lunch at a restaurant in town. It was decorated beautifully for the holidays! It was a buffet and Chad and I ate like we hadn't been fed in a month! Here is Chad and Matthew waiting in the lobby for our seats.

Matthew really enjoyed his lunch...and here he is being very silly as usual!

The town was quite lovely. All the stores had Christmas decorations up.

We went to the visitor's centre where they have "The Menonite Story" - an exhibit where you learn about the Menonites. Here is Matty and Chad in a replica of a cave where the Menonites would hide to avoid persecusion.

Wow! I'm 15 Months Old

Here is me walking (I look pretty menacing, but I was just racing to get to Mom while she was holding the camera). I don't walk everywhere yet, but I takes lots of steps. I'll probably be running very soon!

This is me in the King Chair. It is where I have my milk and cheerios.

I had lasanga for supper tonight. I always seem to eat messy pasta when Dad isn't home. It took Mom a long time to clean me up and I was not very cooperative.

I'm really strong - look at me lifting up my chair. I'm just about to throw it - in fact, I throw just about everything these days. Balls are my favorite things to throw! I'll probably play basketball some day.

I LOVE my dog Riley - we are best buds and play all the time. Mom is always asking Riley to stop kissing me, but I love it and he listens to me more than Mom. Us brothers have to stick together!

In this corner...

...weighing in at 25 lbs (guess...will find out in a week) - Matthew "giggle face" Smith. In the other corner, weighing in at 75 lbs - Riley "the buddy" Smith. Prepare to watch the two brothers face off in their first wrestling match! Matthew was giggling the entire time and Riley seemed to love all the attention - he doesn't care that the touches are a bit rough, he's just happy to be playing with Matthew.

Matthew appears to be dominating early on and starts off with the head lock...

...and then goes it for the early pin

Riley recovers - this match is far from over...

Riley gives Matthew a lickin, but he keeps coming back for more...


Has Matthew been pinned? You can hardly tell the two golden heads apart. I think this match ended in a draw :-)

Happy Birthday Dad!

Thursday is my Dad's birthday so Mom thought she should take pictures tonight, so Dad can see the pictures on his birthday. He is in Denver right now, in very important meetings. Uncle Paul put my truck together so I've been busy pushing it all around the house. I tend to get a little goofy when Mom brings out the camera and think everything is funny. If you are wondering what is on my face, it's roast beef...delicious! Well, happy birthday Dad - love you and miss you!