It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

How lovely to be off work as of December 16! It feels like I just had to get through finishing school and training my replacement before I could even think about anything else... like, um, say, Christmas! (Yes, there is a little bit of baby thinking in there too!)

Shi, Tess and Scott joined us this year, which made it a bit easier to handle when we were missing Flo and my Grandma. (We love you and miss you, ladies!)

We had our regularly busy schedule: Christmas Eve dinner at Mom's: we took Flo's famous make-ahead mashed potatoes (now nicknamed "Flo Poats"). It's hard to tell, but Jeff carved in "MERRY X-MAS FLO".

Christmas morning back at Mom's for presents and brunch: Jeff got Tess in the draw this year and put this beautiful basket together for her. He was quite excited to give it to her!

Scott "Hulkamania" Dumas shows off his 24-inch pythons with this new snowboarding mask. He'll be a hit on the slopes!

Jeff scored with this Blackhawks jersey (thanks, Brother Scott!) and a new putter (thanks, Sister Shi!)!!! Have you ever seen so much emotion on his face??? Another reason we love Christmas!

We filled up on more turkey for Christmas dinner over at Dad's, followed by a rip-roaring pool tournament. Lucky me, sitting on the couch with my feet up, taking it all in!

We are all looking forward to the New Year and the excitement of change in our house! (When i say "change", of course I mean DIAPERS!)

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!

Rosemary's Sunday... 7th of July... Here comes CORA!!!

I am officially the happiest person in Canada! Well, at least in Kelowna...

We got a CORA'S!!!!!!

And of CORAse we were there on opening weekend... and of CORAse the line-up was out the door... all the things I remember about frequenting the numerous Ottawa locations!

I guess my biggest thanks have to go out to Gayle, Les and Warren Takahashi for introducing me to this fabulous establishment during one of my many visits to Toronto over the CORAse of our university years. Merci!

Since Mom had never been, we had to break her in and what does she choose??? Blueberry pancakes! For anyone that knows her, this is a crazy choice! We'll just have to go again so she can experience the fruit sensation!!!

I didn't hold back... bring on the biggest, sweetest dish they've got! (My hand can give you an idea of the size of this meal - this is a CSI trick!)

Gaga and I finished it - no problem! The problem came half an hour later when my tummy was so sore!

Since its opening on December 5, we have been three times. Can't wait to make it four!