Victoria

During our Christmas break, we escaped for 3 days to Victoria, BC to celebrate our 5 year anniversary. Here's some of the highlights of the trip:

10. A view of the Victoria Provincial Capital Building at lit up with Christmas lights at night

But it looks just as magnificent during the day.

The biggest Christmas tree ever!

9. Odgen Pointe Pier - We started along the halfmile break water pier, but we were caught in a terenchial downpour. We didn't feel like getting drenched in the waves splashing over the walkway and covering us w/water - so we turned around and came back the next day. The view was breathtaking as the sun came up over the water.

I questioned this persons' sanity.

The cheesiest photo ever!

At the end, it's beautiful! On a clear day, you can see across the harbor

and get a climpse of Olympia Mountains in Washington.

8. Castle - Over 100 year ago, the richest man in Victoria constructed a castle. We tried to take a tour the first night, but got there an hour too late and they were closed. Ugh. But alas, we tried again the next day, and as we started taking pics, our camera died. And the worse part - the charger was in Seattle. So sorry folks, all the other photos were "borrowed".

At night...

During the day...




The spiral staircase went up 5 stories

I loved the Christmas decore

Where's Tanner when you need him?

7. After walking 5+ miles the first day, we decided to rent a car the next. Plus, it was raining. We drove around some of the countryside, stopping along the piers and parks along the way.
Anthony ran a red light w/Canadian police officer right behind us. 5 minutes earlier we were wondering how traffice tickets in foreign countries worked, but luckily, we didn't have to find out.

6. Buchart Gardens are quite possibly the most beautiful place I've ever seen. It seemed like you were stepping foot into a whole new world as you entered these world renowned gardens. And for the Christmas season, they decorated it with a million different Christmas lights, had live Carolers signing, and an ice skating rink. We didn't let the rain stop us - and it was well worth the trip. Afterwards, we sipped on hot apple cider and gingerbread cookies.

Sunken Garden - By far, the most breathtaking site!! Really, you just had to be there.

This picture doesn't do justice!

There was a little pond surrounded by these towering pine trees.

It was so serene!

5. Beacon Hill Park is like the Central Park of Victoria. Here we saw peacon roaming around and 100s of mallards swimming in the ponds.

I loved the huge willow trees sweaping over the water!

There's 5 or so little ponds - usually filled with hundreds of mallards and other ducks.

Peacocks rule the park

4. The amazing views of the harbor.

3. FOOD, FOOD, AND MORE FOOD. It was all amazing! The seafood was terrific - and I'm not usually a huge fan. But the fish n chips, salmon, and west coast clam chowder - bring it on and I can't stop.

We also found our favorite bakery shop and every morning enjoyed homemade scones, danishes, cinnamon rolls, etc. I could go on FOREVER!

There were also coffee shops are on every corner, quite literally. We enjoyed time relazing and sitting next to a fire sipping on hot cocoa, cider, steamers.

One of my favorite restuarants. It was an old building that had been restored on the inside. Just look at the chandeleirs.

Chinatown had some little markets we got some goodies and then some killer chinese food.

Seriously, what doesn't this city have to offer? We even found Kinder eggs for Tanner! These stopped selling them in US -something about no warning label for children under 3.

Shopping in downtown Victoria. The architecture throughout the city reminded me of New England States on the East Coast. There were 100s of cool buildings, just like this one.

2. Time away. Tanner stayed behind with Nanny & Greandpop. While it was hard leaving him behind, it was womderful to spend time as a couple together away.

But Tanner didn't miss out on all the fun. My parents took him to Chuck e Cheesies and had lots of playtime together. As a kid, I would have a had to do some serious begging to get that kind of treatment. But my dad sent a pic everyday so we knew he see how much fun he was having w/o us :) Thanks for taking such good care of him!!

1. It's an anniversary trip, I'll leave the rest to your imagination!

A view of our hotel from across the harbor

These two pics reminded me a Minnesota. Moose and Totem Poles were common. Dontcha you think, EH!

Christmas Card

Dear Family & Friends,

This year we have been incredibly busy. April reached her 5 year mark with Deloitte, Anthony is in his 3rd year of Dentistry and gets to routinely works on patients, and Tanner is full of mischief and magic. This year we've watched him learn and grow, learning how to crawl, walk, and now run. He's a little jitterbug and knows how to say may words, but also likes to grunt and laugh. Of course, he has Mommy wrapped around his little finger and slowly working on Daddy too. And I promise, one little smile of his can melt away any of your worries.

We've realized life doesn't slow down and probably never will - at least not for a long, long time. More than ever, we're learning to prioritize our time and focus on what's really important - our faith, our family, and our friends. We're grateful for this Christmas season as we pause to celebrate our Savior's birth and reflect upon the great joy in knowing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

May you have the gift of faith, the blessing of hope, and the peace of His love this Christmas.

Love always,

The Callisons
Anthony, April & Tanner

Christmas Countdown

Just in case anyone is wondering, things are much better now. It's amazing what some Christmas gatherings (and goodies!) - can do for one's spitits.

Here's a few highlights from all the Christmas shopping, baking, and partying.

1. Tanner prefers to view Santa from afar rather than up close and personal.

2. Plan to take Christmas pics EARLY next year. This year, I just ran out of time, so I used this family pic we took in the fall. The perfectionist inside of me cringes (yes, I'm the only one smiling and Tanner looks possessed). But it grew on me. And hey, sometimes good has to be good enough.

3. I tried to be extra ambitous and take Tanner & Ave w/me to the mom. Let's just say every parent was starring at me like I was the worst mom ever - and probably with good reason. Avery wondered off for a second (she was mad cuz she wanted to ride in the stroller) and I overheard one sales associate ask where her mom was - and she replied that she wasn't here shopping with her. The lady didn't know how to respond. And then another mom gave me total dirty looks. But at least I didn't have my two elementary kids tied to leashes disguised at backpacks. By the time we left the mall, I was pushing a stroller w/Tanner screaming and carrying Avery.

4. I'll find a better spot for the Christmas presents. I've been staching them away in the closet - and it's Tanner's favorite hangout place - so he's stumbled upon many of them. But hey, at least I know he'll like them.

5. Get a new fake Christmas tree. This one has two feet of space between the ground and first branch - giving Tanner ample room to crawl underneath and turn on the Christmas lights at his leisure. It's his favorite activity. And yes, I let him play with electrical plugs.

He looks at me with those sneakly eyes,

fully aware he should NOT be there.

And then proceeds to laugh...
6. We hope little baby Jesus survivies another Christmas. He gets lost multiple times a day. Tanner loves the toy nativity scene he got last year - and plays with all day long - but never returns maybe Baby Jesus. I hope the obsession continues forever.

(oh, it's so cute, but Tanner can now say Baby, still working on Jesus though)

7. Tanner isn't so much as a "help" in the kitched as I would like. Maybe next year. For now, Avery is my #1 fan (hence, the new apron for Christmas), but Tanner, not-so-much.

This is Tanner's idea of helping:

When I wasn't looking, he grabbed the baking powder contained and made a sandbox in my kitchen. It did, however, keep him pre-occupied enough i was able to finish baking a million different things for the holiday party.

8. But he does still have a sweet tooth. He loves it all! We made the mistkae of putting leftover box of Andes Mints it in the cupboard, and Tanner helped himself. He didn't mind the wrapper - he bit right through. Anthony was horrified - he can't stand the mints - which meant more for me (at least I hoped)...

Leaving His Mark

Everywhere he goes, he leaves little traces of himself...

Whether it's his blanket in the hall way...

A sippycup stashed away in the cupboard...

An entire package of noodles forced down the vent...

Legos tucked away in our shoes...

A roll of toilet paper completely unrolled...

Or toys floating in the toilet...

Or my personal favorite...a nice surprise of poo in the bathtub...

Or sometimes its the fact the book has been chewed to shrewds when we don't have a dog...

Or we can't find my phone...or remote...or shoe

(yes, I blame Tanner. but let's be honest, it's prob my own dang fault)

Tanner likes to remind us he was there.

And yes, one day I hope he'll be leaving his mark on society rather than my bathroom or kitchen.

But for now, I just smile at all the simple, silly things he does.

Craziness

We decided it was time to get some new family pics...since it's been over a year.

Tanner, however, had other plans.

He was not interested in all getting his picture taken.

He wanted to run around (the opposite direction of the camera).

But seriously, this was what most of Tanner was doing most the time.

And not to brag or anything, but Tanner is usually a very happy kid.

So I really didn't know WHAT to do.

He was constantly trying to make his escape.

And it didn't help that Anthony slipped on some rocks while

carrying Tanner - causing them both to tumble

and nearly give us all heart-attacks.

I kept wondering if he would ever smile.

This pic would have been SO perfect - if Tanner would have only SMILED.

But the photographer worked her magic...and was extremely patient. If we would have gotten ONE good picture, I would have considered in a MIRACLE.

But it turns out, we got much, much more.

Here are some of my favorites:

Tanner looks exactly like a Knickerbocker here,

his smile especially reminds me of my Dad

I love his deep chocolate eyes, light complexion,

and his little tongue that he always sticks out.

I'd swear he's going to be a philospher.

My two favorite men!

Seriously, does he get any cuter?

And my personal favorite...

The end result - photos that are priceless!

And seriously, Kathryn is not only one of the best, but most reasonable photographer so check out her blog for more information.

PS - I learned my lesson the hard way. Next time, I'm not going to forgot to give Tanner a snack and juice when he wakes up from his nap. In all the hustle and bustle of getting ready, I forgot the most important thing. And then totally forgot his diaper bag full that is always full of snacks. And I wonder why he didn't cooperate!!!

State Fairing

One thing I've learned...Everything is bigger in Texas.

And the State Fair is no exception.

It's home to everything Fried. It's proud originator of the Cornie Dog. But it doesn't stop there.

Fried Pickles, Okra, Snickers, Twinkies, Cheesecurds, Oreos, Coke, and even this year's winner - Butter - are just a few on the selections.

But every year I try something new - like the fried bacon - and have serious regrets. So this year, I stuck with the basics. A cornie dog and a funnel cake. There's a reason they've been around FOREVER! So good!!! But I didn't stop there - I also tried the Fried Cheesecake (disappointing!) and Cheesecurds (reminded me of WI as a kid - loved it!). But I so should have stopped after the funnel cake...

So we got ourselves some food, watched a few pig races (hilarious!),

and then checked out the petting zoo.

This was Tanner's favorite.

I was going to let Tanner try a ride, but we ran out of time by the time we circled the fair grounds looking for Anthony. Note to self - always stick together!!! And don't say, I'm next to the Cottonbowl cause the football stadium circles the ENTIRE park. We got lost - and it was so lame. And next time, don't go when it's Texas vs OU weekend.

But the best part was seeing Mary Poppins. Anthony and I made a date out of it while Chels took Tanner home. While I've seen a lot of musicals, but this was one of my favorites. It made me feel like a little kid again. And I loved the special affects - Burt was tap-dancing on the ceiling and Mary Poppins flew out into the audience. But for some reason the story really resonated with me - I love how Burt, the chimney sweeper - was their guardian angel looking over them. It's the people covered with dirt that you barely know exist that help you the most.

Happy Halloween!!

We had SO much fun with Tanner this year for Halloween. He was our little Alien!

And stripping it off a few times and throwing a tantrum...he finally did wear it. The things parents to do their kids...

First - we started the day with a trip to the Dallas Arboretum. It was so busy and crowded - but Tanner loves to roam the outdoors like a free spirit.

Second - we went to a Halloween carnival at church.

If Tanner would have had his way, he would have stayed in the bounce house the ENTIRE time.

He was like a little sumo wrestler - extra padding and all - along with his "helmet" so the more he fell, the more he laughed.

Tanner won't even try the cotton candy. I can't say I blame him, I've never been a big fan.

But he loves popcorn- he helped himself to several bags when I wasn't looking.

Him and a fellow alien were plotting to take over the world.

Last but not least - Trick or Treating around the neighborhood.

Tanner figured out quickly what this was all about - and loved grabbing pieces of candy and throwing him in the bag.

But really, it wasn't the candy he was after. When no one was looking, he'd sneak into their house and start running. I'd have to climb over several children and catch him down the hall. He's not the least bit afraid of strangers.

Along the way, Tanner helped himself to his loot - even with the wrappers on. Starburst and Smarties wrappers eventually dissolve in your mouth if you suck on it long enough. So we let Tanner eat those. And the rest of course, is for mom and dad :)

Tanner wasn't too excited about putting his costume on...again...

But he eventually warmed up to it...

Avery insisted Mommy dress up too.

nd when Chels was little, she always dreamed of being a witch.

PS - This year, I waited until the last minute to find a costume. I definitely do NOT recommend it. Several of the stores were completely sold out...but it did finally pay off. This one by far was the cutest and it was only $4!