The 2010 Olympics

It's certainly exciting to have such an international event close to home. We are in the second week of the Winter Olympics and have certainly enjoyed it. It has been hard for Harvie to focus on work when just outside his office stands the burning flame and a sea of people. For me, it's been hard to focus on cutting down my paper in half...I have written just under 100 pages but need to cut it down to a maximum of 50 pages. So what to do? Put it all on hold, take in the Olympic moment, for the it will be gone too soon. I ventured down to Vancouver to meet Harvie Friday afternoon with the other thousands of people. It was an adventure to remember. What a sight it was to see Vancouver! Here are some of the pictures Harvie has taken over the last week.

These were the top 6 highlights of our Olympic Adventure according to Adrianna...

Topping the list as #1: The Playground at Yaletown! I know, not an Olympic event, but for our little toddler it sure was. Her laughter and smiles deserve a gold medal!

#2: The flowers on the walkway in Coal Harbour. Flowers are one of Adrianna's favourite things. Her word for flower is "tsi" thanks to my mom always pretending to sneeze when Adrianna points at a flower.

#3: Visiting Daddy's office and running around the maze of cubicles. It was a good thing the office was quite empty...

#4: Being entertained by the crowds of people.

#5: Sitting on Daddy's shoulder for the majority of the time (hard to see anything sitting in the stroller).

#6: The train adventure! And what an experience that was. It was incredible busy on the way back and she refused to sit on my lap. She sat on the floor and was thoroughly entertained by the people around. Even though she stayed up past her bedtime, she was such a joy!

So, with less than one week left, we are cheering for Canada! Go Canada go!

Busy Life!

Well...what have we been up to? Life just seems to be passing us by these days. Harvie is incredibly busy with his work, working long hours and even on weekends. He will continue to be this busy until the end of March. I have had some Saturday and Sunday classes and jave been trying to work on my big paper. I have only nine weeks left on my masters, but there is much to do before I can say I am finished. My paper is due on March 29th and my presentation April 10th, 11th, or 17th (date not yet assigned). Adrianna has been keeping us very busy too. Active doesn't even begin to describe our little princess. She is in love with walking and the outdoors. Since the weather has been so nice, we have left the house in the mornings for a long walk and going to the park most afternoons. I am very thankful that she has been cooperating and taking one longer nap midday. I quite like the one nap thing...it gives me a longer block to write my paper and more time to enjoy the sunny outdoors (sunny at least for now...winter has to arrive sometime!). Here are some pictures of Adrianna enjoying the park...

First Steps

Finally, after months of waiting, Adrianna is learning to walk. During the Christmas season she began demonstrating interest in walking. Because she is such an independent little girl, she did not welcome any help from us. One day, Harvie just put the little walker in front of her (we had tried it time and time again) and off she went!

After a couple of weeks of using the walker, one day without us paying much attention she took three steps at my mom's place. The same day, at home she took six steps. We got the camera, and waited, and waited. Sure enough, she did it again.

Here she is again, just before her bath. I don't think it will be long now until she is walking!

Christmas Celebrations

Christmas is a time of celebrations. Celebrating Jesus' birth. Celebrating God's gift to us. Celebrating with family, friends and food. Christmas is receiving God's love wrapped up and given to us through the birth of a child. I love Christmas and part of it is giving gifts to those around me. I see gift giving as a symbol of Christmas because of God's gift to us. I give with love, I receive with love. Gift giving is partaking in the miracle that Christmas really is. It's sharing love and joy, wrapped up in a present.

We celebrated Christmas early with my family. My dad and brother headed down to Brazil for Christmas. My cousin and her family came from Bellingham to join us. Adrianna was very entertained by the three boys. Unfortunately, I didn't take pictures, but my cousin did. Unfortunately, her camera wasn't working well, so these are the best shots.

The presents that are the biggest hit in our house: the Little Tikes Wheels from Oma and Opa Buitelaar and the Princess Tent from Oma and Opa Duck.

On Wednesday, December 23rd, we celebrated Christmas with Harvie's family. We had turkey dinner first. This is the sixth year we host the Christmas dinner and each year we improve it a little. This year we added ham to the feast. It was great to be together and catch up. Next year we'll have another little Buitelaar around the table with the arrival of Marlen and Sue's little one in May. We are thrilled for them! Sue is beautiful pregnant and Harvie and I can't wait to become aunt and uncle for the first time!

Adrianna chose to eat goldfish crackers instead of the delicious meal. She doesn't realize what she is missing out on!

We couldn't resist and buy a Christmas gift from Adrianna to her cousin to be. As soon as Sue opened up the gift, Adrianna was eager to play with it. Thankfully I had thought ahead and bought one for her too. Sophie the giraffe has become one of her favourite toys now.

A cozy sweater from Oma Buitelaar.

And the big present from all: her own set of wheels!

It was quite the hit! She kept going in and out of this part of the car. It kept her happy past her bedtime, quite a challenging task at times!

Of course with two engineer brothers, they tried to put the car together right away. But they don't make it easy to put together...it becomes quite comic to watch, but not so fun for those putting it together. It took Harvie a good portion of Christmas eve day to make all the parts fit together!

Cozy sweaters for Oma and Opa Buitelaar...

December 24th, Christmas even morning. Harvie stayed home and before having breakfast, Adrianna just coudn't wait until Christmas day to give her present to daddy, a duo-blokus game, a vest/tie/shirt combo and some Rafaello chocolates. Harvie surprised me with beautiful earrings inside a box of hedgehog chocolates.

December 24th, Christmas eve, we got all dressed up and headed for a beautiful candlelight service at our Church. It was the first time we spent Christmas even just the three of us and I love it! It was quiet, calm and relaxing. (After finishing this post I realized I hadn't fixed the red-eyes...oh well, too late now!)

December 25th, Christmas morning comes with presents for the little girl. We all stayed in our pajamas for the big event. Adrianna was excited to rip the paper, more so than to see what was inside. Each gift was first seen as a place for sitting. Good thing there wasn't anything breakable!

Slowly, the gift wrapping was ripped...

But first, before enjoying its contents, let's jump on the box a little more!

Every little girl needs a doll for Christmas!

No, the little spoon is for your doll!

Ahh, a kiss for the new doll!

I think Adrianna likes her Christmas gifts!

After church and Adrianna's nap, we headed to my mom's place for a late lunch and more presents. First we called my dad in Brazil to wish him a Merry Christmas. We certainly missed Jeff and my dad on Christmas day, but we know he is enjoying his time with family in warm Curitiba. Aunt Jeni spoiled Adrianna with the Barbie camper. It will match the Barbie camping family she gave Adrianna for her birthday. Aunt Jeni is building Adrianna's Barbie collection. She is one lucky girl!

My mom gave three different dog stuffies to Adrianna, each one welcomed with a big hug, kiss and cuddles. Why is it that they receive her affection and we have to beg for it?

Now, the best gift of all. Harvie got a mooning Santa from my mom. Adrianna was cuirous and entertained by it.

On Sunday, December 27th, we had the Peters Family Christmas at Aunt Lydia's place. It was so nice to celebrate with the big family, enjoying a delicious meal and the chaos of opening gifts with eager children. Adrianna received books and stuffies, two of her most favourite things! My cousin Sandy took pictures during the gathering, which I'll post later.

On Monday, December 28th, Harvie's airport group had a holiday dinner at Gotham Restaurant. We took Adrianna along and she was the life of the party. Thankfully they had booked the private room. Adrianna spent most of the time crawling under the tables and walking alongside the perimeter of the room.

Adrianna decided to help out the staff at Gothams by taking down the Christmas decorations from the tree.

This is the fun Adrianna had while we ate the main course. Oh the fun a toddler can have!

We hope your Christmas was a joyous one. We hope the love and peace of Christmas follows you into the new year. May we spread God's love into 2010!