A Prince George Christmas

Christmas Morning!

Santa had both of the kids on his "Nice" List.
I don't know two kids who can score this much on christmas morning
if they were on the "Naughty" side of that list.

Dad, Mom & Uncle Rod


Merry Christmas from Prince George!

A Prince George Christmas Eve

What a wonderful way to spend christmas, but to spend it together as a family.
My parents made the long, winter trip from Saskatchewan to spend
christmas in Prince George.  My brother Rod was a few days behind.
The kidlets were ecstatic to see their grandparents.
 I was looking forward to my mom's cooking.
My mom brought her own turkey. Yes. The turkey made the rode trip.
I told her that we could buy a turkey in Prince George.
But she thought it was "crazytalk" when I told her Prince George did not have a Safeway.
It all worked out well because the turkey kept the bags of perogies cold.
Yes. She brought perogies too.

Sleigh Bells Ring

One of my lovely neighbors booked a sleigh ride for us all.
What a great idea!
We had so much fun and my parents
arrived just in time to join us.

Into the woods we go on our sleigh ride

Jason sitting in the front with The Campbells

At the back with the Clarks

Right in the middle where it was the coziest.

Enjoying a cup of hot chocolate to end the evening!

The Griswald Experience

Each year around the beginning of December
we head out to buy ourselves a christmas tree.
I have never been to an actual christmas tree farm to do so.
In BC, why would you not?  Kinda surrounded by nothing but trees.

Off they go, to pick the perfect tree

We found it! Take it down!


So we found the perfect tree and we didn't freeze our eyeballs.


 Bringing home the tree - Griswald style.

Tis the Season to be a Scotiabanker

It's that time of year again - Christmas Parties!
With Jason on the road this year, Robyn agreed to be my plus one.
Although the venue was shabby, the good company was not.
We ate, drank & danced the night away.

Scotiabank Main Branch Ladies
Patty, Rita, myself, Robyn & Heather

Tis the holiday season for sequence

My kind of Recipe - Must Read for a Chuckle

Crown Royal Christmas Cookies

Ingredients you will need:
1 cup of water
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup of sugar
1 tsp salt
1 cup brown sugar
lemon juice
4 large eggs
1 cup nuts
2 cups dried fruit
1 bottle of Crown Royal

Directions:
 - Sample the Crown Royal to check quality
 - Take a large bowl, check the Crown Royal again to be sure it is of the highest quality, poor one level cup and drink.
 - Turn on the electric mixer...Beat one cup of butter in a large fluffy bowl.
 - Add one teaspoon of sugar, Beat again.
 - At this point it's best to make sure the Crown Royal is still OK, try another cup...just in case.
 - Turn off the mixer thingy.
 - Break 2 eggs and add to the bowl and chuck in the cup of dried fruit.
 - Pick the friggin fruit off floor....
 - Mix on the turner.
 - If the fried druit gets stuck in the beaterers just pry it loose with a dewscriver.
 - Sample the Crown Royal to check for tonsisticity.
 - Next, sift two cups of salt, or something.....who giveshz a sheet.
 - Check the Crown Royal.
 - Now shift the lemon juice and strain your nuts.
 - Add one table.
 - Add a spoon of ar, or somefink.....whatever you can find.
 - Greash the oven.
 - Turn the cake tin 360 degrees and try not to fall over.
 - Finally, throw the bowl through the window.
 - Finish the bottle of Crown Royal.
 - Make sure to put the stove in the dishwahser.


Cherry Mistmas!

Becker Family Christmas Greeting 2011

This year I have been blessed. Thankful.
We have an amazing family - some of which we have lost this past year but are always in our thoughts.
We have amazing friends:  PAST - always a phone call, text or email away. 
PRESENT - neighbors, hockey related & Scotiabank.
We have amazing kidlets.
We have had successes in both of our careers.

Jason
"Hubby, do you miss playing hockey?"
"Wifey, I will always miss playing hockey but nothing is better than coaching."
I guess this must be how wifey feels about shopping - nothing is better.
Jason is still adjusting to his new role as being a coach and loves every minute of it.
He's growing and learning every minute of everyday.
Not only did he attend a coaching seminar this past July, but he was also invited by the head coach of the San Jose Sharks to meet & greet as well as attend the NHL prospects camp.
We are all very PROUD of him.

Jaime
"Bella, your mom is such a nice lady."
"Yes, I know." - Bella
I love me a compliment, who doesn't?
But to hear your child proud of you is the biggest compliment I have ever received.
I am busy and I have a busy household which I do a really good job of keeping in order.
I don't cook or bake but the kids and I together make one heck of a home-made pizza.
I'm a taxi-driver for FREE. That's right, the kids don't even tip!
I was one of the top individual's chosen from my branch at the Scotiabanker's annual
Best of the Best Awards. I work hard and it's nice to be recognized.
But none of that even kind of compares to the compliment my daughter gave me.
Motherhood will always be challenging and according to my kids, I'm doing a good job.

Bella
"Mommy, am I brown."
"Yes Bella, you are."
"Why is that?"
"It's because of your dad."
Lil Miss Bella, curious as ever. She has a question for everything.
She is always keeping us on our toes.
She has many, many friends and the last time I asked 5 boyfriends.
She is peticular and likes her clothes, hair-tie & socks to match.
She has a love for animals, especially horses.
This year she is enrolled in pony club - she learns to ride, clean stables and care for horses.
She loves to read and has requested we build a "library" in her room for her birthday.
We'll see, I do have some ideas in the back of my mind.

Braxton
"Buddy, what was your favorite part of your day at school today?"
"Lunch." - Brax
Mr. Man, full of spunk & personality.
Although our BC teachers are currently STILL on strike, Braxton's kindergarten
teacher still sends home an interm report card.
He is excelling in Math.  He is excelling in Patterns.  He is excelling in Task.
He is also excelling in Socializing. 
So what, he likes to talk.  He likes to visit.  He's just like his mother.
It is Braxton's first year of Minor Hockey which is absolutely the cutest thing I've seen him do.
We are quite thankful that we are not at the rink TOO early this season, but even if we were my lil man would be up at the crack of dawn, dressed & ready to go.
He's just like his father.
And he couldn't be more proud of his daddy. On one of his show & tell days,
he took a framed picture of one of Jason's German hockey pictures.

Barkley
Sorry, no quotes for the dog.
I'm sure if that dog could talk,  it would be the most entertaining part of this greeting.
He is loved and hugged obsessively by the kidlets.
He spends most nights in his bed in my bedroom when Jason is on the road. 
We both enjoy this comfort.
He is spoiled something rotten by Jason.
He does have a mind of his own, and refused to participate in our xmas photo this year.
He is living a good dog life in the Becker household.



We hope you had an amazing 2011 and we are wishing you the best in 2012.
Merry Christmas &  Happy New Year.
The Becker Family
Jason, Jaime, Bella & Brax






Wine Festival


A group of us ladies get together once a month to chit-chat, drink & enjoy great food. 
There is no better place for a ladies night than a Wine Festival.
Dress up and indulge in wine, cheese & chit-chat.
It was a night full of fun had by all!

Ugly Xmas Sweater Party

One of our neighbors hosted an Ugly Xmas Sweater Party
Not only did we have to attend dressed in appropriate attire,
but we had to decorate or bring an original drinking glass.


The creative ladies of the night. 
Everyone put in a great effort.

Jason had a great sweater and
I had the perfect sized drinking glass.

Matt & Mary

Jordan & Haley
The hostesses with the mostesses

Between a Rink, a Barn & a Pool

Weekends are busy in our household, not much different I'm sure, than most.
We are off to the rink EVERY Saturday & Sunday morning for Braxton's hockey practice.
October - December both kids had swimming lessons on Sunday morning.
Once a month, Bella's Pony Club has barn day on a Sunday from 1 - 4 pm.
Needless to say, this leaves just enough time for laundry, a glass of wine and a hot bath.
It's ok to be busy, I like it.  For two reasons.
1. When kids are busy, they are happy.  Happy kids = Happy Mom
2. When kids are busy, they behave. Kids with good behavior = Happy Mom

Intiation A  Team 3

He skates till he sweats

Like two peas in a pod
Bella & Savannah

Bella riding Possum at her weekly riding lesson

Learning to dive

Learning to float

Best of the Best - Scotiabank Style

Each year Scotiabank has it's annual "Best of the Best" Event.
The district throws a dinner & awards event including a theme to dress up.
3-4 people are chosen from their branch deemed the "Best".
I was one of these people to be chosen.
I was honored & esctatic.
YAY for the stay-at-home mom who went back to work 2 years ago!

Myself along with the other winners from our branch: Rita, Robyn & Heather

Our boss had the "bubbly" flowing and I was more than willing to celebrate.

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween from the Princess, the devil & the Transformer.

Pumpkin Patch

There is no better way to pick out your halloween pumpkin then by heading out
to BlackSpruce Farms Pumpkin Patch.
Bella picked her pumpkin by size & shape.
Braxton picked out his pumpkin by SIZE.






My oh my, Brax turned 5

The baby has turned 5. Now I really feel like time is quickly passing us by!
He was so excited for his party this year - he picked a swimming pool party,
he asked neighborhood friends, school friends & a friend from his hockey team.
Happy Birthday Buddy!

Enjoying the fabulous cupcakes.

The Beckers

Gift opening!

Pool birthday party

swim time with Dad  

PG Cougar Season Starts

Back to the Rink!

The kids were so excited to go and watch the Cougars
play that we even stayed for 2nd period.
This does not usually happen - by the end of 1st period
 I am sitting in-between my kidlets due to
wrestling, teasing & bickering of some sort.
Needless to say, the last 3 minutes of 1st period feel like 15.



 
 


First Day of School

BACK TO SCHOOL Kindergarten & Grade 1

They both have already made new friends and are enjoying school. Bella loves to read, enjoys math class and to hang upside down without hands on the monkey bars. Braxton likes lunch.


Lil Miss Grade 1 enjoys picking out her outfits for school each and EVERY day.

Scotiabankers Golf Tourney

I signed up for the Scotiabanker's golf tourney. My Uncle Dale would be very proud of me. My husband was in disbelief. As most people know of me, I utterly dispise golf. I don't have patience, I can't putt and I'd rather be sipping cocktails by the pool when it's warm not swinging at a tiny ball. BUT this golf tourney involved cocktails and low summer heat. I can hit a ball, and I can hit it far. But that's it.
 So I walked around with one club all day.