Seb goes to England!

Sorry for the lack of posts since Christmas but it's been busy, busy, busy since then. Seb and I took a trip to England and surprised everyone on New Year's day. We spent three weeks there visiting and catching up. We had a really lovely time and Seb was the most well behaved baby ever! In the photo above you can see him in his bassinet on the plane, I was so worried about flying with him and just couldn't believe that he stayed so happy and smiley for most of the trip both on the way there and on the way back. Even the cabin crew commented on his wonderful behaviour.

In England we stayed with my Mum in Upnor and went out every day visiting friends and family. Seb really enjoyed finally meeting all of his uncles and aunties and his grandparents in the flesh.

Here's a few photos from the trip, I'll try to post some more when I get a chance to go through them all.

Here's a very happy Grandma Zena changing Sebastian.

I took this picture for Neil, it's the view from my Mum's house looking across the river at our old house.

Outside "The Ship" in front of Neil's crane.

Seb with Auntie Cake.

Great Grandma Shirls.

Mmmmmm...proper English fish and chips at "The Ship" with Seb asleep in his chair in the background.

Uncle Dan Dan.

Practising crawling on Grandma's floor with Auntie Cake.

With Grandpa Nigel.

Looking sleepy at Uncle Dan Dan's house.

Grandma Toni shortly after we surprised her with our arrival. She looks a little teary-eyed don't you think?

With Auntie Monkey.

So this is Christmas....

It began with present opening, Doog was most excited to rip his open....

Sebastian didn't know what to think when he received a present bigger than him....

unwrapping the giant present proved to be hard work and he began to look a bit worn out.....

Then he saw a smiling face and his excitment returned....

Followed by what seems to be shock when daddy opened the box.....

and then a look of slight bemusement as if to say "what on earth am I supposed to do with that?" (And no it's not a potty, it's a Bumbo seat so that little Seb can sit upright.)

The emotional roller coaster of opening his present eventually took it's toll and the poor little guy threw up all over the place!

Once that was all cleared up and Seb was calmed down it was time for breakfast....

Christmas breakfast, yum yum!

The table all set for Christmas dinner.

Nigel and Sarah. Looks like Sarah spotted Doog just before he managed to grab Nigels starter.

Seb opening his present from Nigel and Sarah.

He doesn't look too impressed but that's probably just because he can't use it yet, he needs to get a little bit bigger before he can bounce like Tigger.

After dinner we visited Mandy and Kelly to wish them a Merry Christmas.

Look how big Hunter is these days!

On Boxing day we joined the party at Sarah and Nigel's new house. We had a lovely lunch and enjoyed some delicious Christmas pud sent over all the way from England. Sebastian had a nice time meeting everyone and was a smiley, happy baby all day long.

Christmas time is coming.....

Well, it's nearly Christmas! Neil and I are way more disorganised than usual, we've barely bought any presents and beneath our tree looks very bare indeed. Of course it's all Seb's fault, he refuses to go Christmas shopping and isn't very helpful when it comes to wrapping presents and writing cards. We ventured out to Safeway's the other day to try and at least get the food part of Christmas organised (you can see where our priorities lie) but even after that trip we still don't have a turkey! I took my camera along and did take some pictures in Safeway and out of the car window on the way there, I know, I know, it's really sad to take photos in a supermarket, what has become of us since we became parents? We have been out to for dinner at friends houses a few times in the last week or so but with all Seb's baggage I usually can't carry the camera too so don't have any photos to prove it.

Here's Neil handling a large squash.

Seb getting moody about carrying the very same vegetable.....

and looking much more serene once the squash was removed from his stroller.

A clear and crisp winters day.

The road between Beaumont and Leduc.

As I was taking photo's out of the car window I thought I saw a moose in the trees and made Neil stop and turn the car around to take a closer look. We went down a very long, slippery and snowy path looking for the moose and nearly got stuck in the process. I was quite excited but as we approached I realized it was standing very still and was wearing a red ribbon around it's neck. It was a wooden cut-out. I was so disappointed I didn't even take a picture of it.

Some Christmas baubles in our living room and one of the gingerbread men handmade by my sister hanging on our tree.

I caught a smile!

Deck the halls....

We finally got around to getting our Christmas tree and it's a beauty! The lady that sold it to us said that this particluar kind of tree, a Fraser, is by far the best smelling Christmas tree you can have and she was right it's like our whole house smells of the forest! It reminds me of walking around Emerald Lake.

Sebastian doesn't seem too impressed with the tree but is rather fascinated with all the lights.

Sebastian chilling with Daddy while he watches Top Gear in the den. Looks as though Seb isn't a Jeremy Clarkson fan.

I've been trying to catch a photo of Seb smiling, he's been doing more and more lately but I never have my camera out in time and I always seem to get these serious looking faces. I take one picture and he starts crying and as soon as I put the camera down he'll give me an enormous grin. Well today I almost caught one....

after the usual bit of crying.....

Just a glimse of a smile but definately worth posting on the blog for everyone to see!

It's still very cold.....

This cute little orange hat was sent to us by our lovely wedding photographer, Kirstie Tweed (www.orangegirlphotographs.com). She said Sebastian needs a proper toque living in Alberta.

I think Seb is getting used to being bundled up in tons of clothes and blankets before going anywhere, it really is quite a mission to get out of the house in the cold weather. Last night we took a stroll around the corner to Nigel and Sarah's new house, the stroller was pretty good until we hit a few snow drifts and veered slightly off course.

All tucked up in his snow suit and ready to go.

Nice starfish impression.

Seb enjoyed his little trip out, he had a cuddle with Sarah and even got a sloppy kiss on the ear from puppy Jenna.

Isn't Jenna a cutie?

Neil's added a few more Christmas lights to the house and, as you can see, has insisted on bringing out the 8ft inflatable Santa we had on the lawn last year.

What a cutie-pie!