...Tuck on a treadmill.

He he ho ho! He's getting better at it, with more practice.

...the start of December.

Technically, it was still November, but it seems that we had a little taste of winter last week.

But in better news!!!

Take a look at my new toy! An early Christmas present from Frank to me and me to Frank.

We wrestled it into the upstairs bedroom (it was really heavy! and we had to kick Aislinn downstairs, again, to accomplish this). And then we took pictures and each had a try on it.

Since yesterday, I have already logged over 6 miles on it! Don't believe me? Ask my knees...they'll tell you. Ouch!

Even Tuck had a try. After a few stumbles and crashes into the wall behind the treadmill, he got the hang of it and really enjoyed it.

Oh! And what's even cooler? This machine comes with a wireless iFit membership that allows you to load up Google maps so you can run actual routes, like in real life! I can load up the Boston marathon, or a local route, or a crazy hill run through the Alps. And when I hook up my laptop and place it on the console I can even watch as I run those routes on the street view of Google maps. Isn't that crazy? Awesome!

This morning, when Frank got up to go to his 7am bball practice, Mackendra woke up and decided to go for a little walk on the 'mill. Isn't that weird?

So, we have no excuses any more. We can't say, "Ohhhhh, its raining," or "Oh, too bad, its too cold, and dark," or "I don't like having to get all dressed up to go running." Now, we just walk across the hall...we can even run naked! Ha ha ha!

So, as an early New Year's resolution to match my early Christmas present...I'm going to run more often.

...being a kid sucks! (According to Aislinn)

Actual conversation that took place yesterday after school and its consequences:

Mom: Aislinn, take Tuck outside for a bit and, I don't know... throw some snowballs for him or something.

Aislinn: AWWWWWWWW Mom! Do I have to? (Imagine her voice set at the register that automatically grates on your last nerve).

Mom: **gritting my teeth and speaking through them** Yes, you have to. Just for 15 minutes. He hasn't gone out today.

Aislinn: **with an extremely pained look on her face and a voice that has turned up that dial another notch** I don't want to, I have to....go....clean up my bedroom. **this last bit said triumphantly**

Mom: **nodding because, yes, its true, Aislinn has to go clean up her bedroom, she was told to do that....3 days ago!** Yah, but take Tuck out first.

Aislinn: ** as she's walking away to her bedroom** I can't!

Mom: **turning to Dad with a murderous look in her face that prompts Dad to take action before Mom's head explodes** Frank!!!

Dad: Aislinn, get your ass outside right now!

Aislinn: I can't!

Dad: AISLINN!!! You have 3 seconds to take your dog outside before you spend the rest of the afternoon in your room!

Aislinn: You can't make me! **Starting to look worried but still determined to win this unwinable (is that even a word? not according to spellcheck) battle. Now, running away from Dad, holding her ears** Owww! Don't!!!! Letmego!!!! **as she's being dragged to her room**.

Dad: Mackendra! Will you take Tuck out for me?

Mackendra: Sure **all angelic-like, she knows she's getting bonus points here**.

Dad: Good, now Tuck's your dog.

Aislinn: WHA???!!!! No he's not!!! You can't do that!!! That's not fair!!! Well....if she gets Tuck then I get the hamster...and....and...and... THE HAMSTER IS GONNA DIE!!!!!

Mom and Dad: ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha

Consequences: Aislinn spent the entire afternoon and evening in her bedroom alone. No one talked to her and she doesn't get to go on the school bowling trip.

Outcome: Agreement. Being a kids sucks.

...and she's back!

Uh huh! My first scrap LO since my old computer died. I gotta say, it feels pretty good.

...cool picture.

Hi guys, just another cool picture, taken by Aislinn, that I wanted to post.

I just love the composition of this image.

...three weeks.

"Wha??? Wha???"

Just recently, Kong kong came and stayed with us, while my parents took a three week trip down to Utah. Don't tell my Mom, but he was really quite easy to live with. He had a routine, a simple one, that mostly revolved around meal times, that once we figured out, was easy to accommodate.

What we learned about Kong kong in those two weeks was that he really liked to eat out. We ate so much Chinese take-out in those three weeks! Even Aislinn, by the end of his stay, was saying, "No more Chinese food!" It was quite silly, but a local Chinese restaurant came to know us so well, that we could walk in, sit down, and the waitress would say, "you want the usual?", but in Cantonese.

At the end of those three weeks, we were sad to say goodbye to Kong kong. The girls absolutely loved having him here.

Also, at the end of those three weeks, Darren and Auria came back from their six month long trip to China and Southeast Asia. It was great to have everyone back together again.

To celebrate, we ate Chinese food! Of course. A huge hot pot feast! OMG! We eat so much!

I'm not even kidding when I say that Frank and I each put on about 10 pounds during those three weeks.

Other than the need for more stretchy pants, spending time with my grandfather was lovely.

Now we just need to go on a diet before we head up for Christmas in Prince George!

Love Tanya

...Halloween 2010

Wasn't it weird having Halloween on a Sunday?

I had all weekend to get everything ready. Yet, somehow, I was still all stressed out and almost late when the time came to actually head out trick or treating.

So, check out the pictures this year...

Aislinn did this entire pumpkin herself this year. I didn't even touch it! She picked a really complicated pattern, but it turned out pretty amazing.

Can you see what it is?

Mackendra proceeded to scare everyone by carving most of her own pumpkin as well. A seven year old stabbing a gourd was certainly spooky. I think Auria was having a mild panic attack watching Mackendra handling that knife.

Mackendra did a great job as well.

Then it was costume time. Not to brag or anything, but my kids always look awesome for Halloween. And this year was no exception.

Aislinn went as a gothic rag doll. She definitely had the best costume I saw.

She looked beautiful, yet creepy. You like her little voodoo doll? She made it herself out of socks.

Here's a closeup of her face.

Mackendra went as a vampire. She looked pretty creepy as well. Her hair was awesome!

And then, there was Auria and I. I went as a googly-eyed alien. Auria went as a Chinese/Japanese character.

Aislinn went out with her friend and Auria and I took Mackendra out to meet her little friend and we all went walking around her school neighborhood.

It was cold, but fun, and we caught a fireworks display that was better than we expected.

All in all, a pretty successful night.

I can't wait to see everyone else's costumes!

Love Tanya