Prairie Tales: December 2013

Trip to Calgary

A couple weeks ago we flew to Calgary. We had claimed Annabel on our U.S. taxes, but I guess they didn't believe she existed. I tried to refer them to this blog as proof, but it didn't fly. We weren't terribly excited about spending the money for travel there, but we still came out ahead with the amount the government wanted if Annabel was a fake. Calgary is the closet U.S consulate in Western Canada, so we had to travel there to get her a social security number. It is about a 6 hour drive, but quite unpredictable in the winter. It would be similar to traveling from Wisconsin to Nebraska, but by taking the back roads. It was Eric's birthday weekend, so we celebrated.

Eric sporting his Movember look

Enjoying some milk at a coffee shop

The chair was 49.99. They wanted 169.99 for the baby. We went with the baby.

We ate at a little hamburger place that was featured on You Gotta Eat Here (Canada's version of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives). Eric would never pass up a burger for his birthday.

Christmas

Festival of Trees in Saskatoon. Annabel was in awe of the little girl Irish Dancers. One lady pointed up at Annabel and said "look, she is mesmerized!"

The Festival of Trees is at the Western Development museum that has a ton of neat displays. She liked these horses until they neighed at her and she went a running!

Eric's work Christmas Party

Our tiny little tree

We flew to Minneapolis on Saturday, very early morning (you should have seen all the kids running around the airport at 4am!) and made our way to Colfax. We had a fun gathering with Eric's family in Ridgeland right away Saturday evening. Annabel has been having a ball with grandparents, cousins, and aunts and uncles. We enjoyed a big Packer win and have been filled with lots of good food, drinks, and treats. We were snowed in today, but had a good relaxing day. We have the rest of the week left before we head back as I have to work Christmas Eve and the 27th. We wish you all a very Merry Christmas!!

Fall

In Saskatoon, it's too cold for the types of trees that turn dark orange and red, so we only enjoy the deep yellow fall color.

First hair cut

Since the moment Annabel was born, her hair has been a big topic of conversation with anyone we meet. The first words from the nurses in the operating room were "lots of hair!" I can't even count the times someone has asked, "where does her curls come from?" or "who has red hair in the family?"

We have been hesitant to get her hair cut, but she got to sit in one of her favorite things, a car, and she sat there so well for the stylist.