Skaters!!!

Amakah has been begging to go skating on 'THAT ice' referring to the hockey rink not just the lake that we've attempted a few times this year. The rink held an open skate with Santa on the afternoon of the 24th so off we went. Matt and I were tickled to see the girls embrace skating and enjoy it as much as the rest of the family! 

Santa's Special Delivery

Christmas Eve, Santa arrived in person as per family tradition bearing one gift for every child. The twist this year...all kids received some sort of dog accessory. A dog collar and leash for Kazden, water and food bowl for Izaac, dog brush for Kaiah, and dog toys for Amakah. Kazden was the first to open his gift, he was quite puzzled, and later admitted to not wanting hurt Santa's feelings about giving him such a strange gift, he pretended he was happy with his gift and assumed it was for Blue, the springer spaniel we are dog sitting. Every other child then followed his lead assuming their gifts were for Blue. They were very quiet when Santa announced he had one more gift and had his elf bring in the puppy. I believe they were all in shock as they were rather silent and very slow to move. It was quite some time after that Kazden expressed repeatedly he couldn't believe it and felt like he was going to faint. Kaiah was tickled with the puppy and also couldn't believe she got to see one of Santa's elves! Izaac is amazed and Amakah couldn't fall asleep, just nattering on about Santa and the puppy. 
For the moment we are trying out the name Trevor. Izaac suggested it out of the blue. Matt, Kazden, Izaac, and I were all on board immediately. Kaiah came around to it after she heard it a few times and Amakah is pleased to call him 'Treasure'. 
Trevor is half golden retriever and half black lab. He has been extremely well cared for in his short life and comes to us more or less house trained. 
This will be a Christmas they won't soon forget!
                                                         
                                                              Santa checking his list...

Puppy in the house!