Cookies with Dad

So dad has a fail proof cookie recipe.  Square pretzels, with a rolo on top.  Bake it so it's soft and then pull them out and put a pecan on top.  Squish it down and cool.  There - cookies.
Josie got into the mix and was helping out.

 Auntie Joan would be so impressed with the obsessive compulsive organizing of the pretzels... (Peppernut memories)

Santa No. 2

Santa made it to Rosthern, too.  The notice was sent out that the RCMP had caught him and were bringing him to the Legion Hall.  It was true.  We went and saw Santa.  Josie was a little less stiff.  She asked for a puppet this time.  (Sorry, Santa already bought a doll - "That boy-Barbie" as Josie had already requested.)  I told Josie that those guys in the red suits were RCMP officers.  She was very interested in them.  She asked, "Are they real police officers?  Did they dress in red because Santa is here?"  Ahhhh, the innocence of living outside Canada for so long.
Since the RCMP were involved, when the picture did actually arrive, it was placed in an evidence collection bag.  Someone has a sense of humour.

Santa No. 1

 The Mall at Lawson Heights had a free Santa.  The idea is that if you bring your own camera, the experience is yours to capture.  It was quite generous of them.  Being Josie's first real Santa experience, she was a little freaked right out.  I had done a portable north pole video for her and had put that Santa knew she wanted a doll.  (I was thinking Barbie.)  When he asked her what she wanted, she blanked.  She could only remember the video and just said, "A doll."  Look how stiff she is.  It was so funny to watch.

The Museum

 We went to the museum in Saskatoon (Western Development Museum) where they were displaying Christmas trees.  Josie wasn't quite into the trees... not even the Barbie and Princess trees, but wow was she all over the train.  They had some pretty nice displays and very festive presentations.

Josie's Ipad image

Well this is what Josie was thinking about in November already.

First Snow of the Year

 Auntie Joan showing Josie how to make a snowman...

And after everything was said and done, they came inside and made some cookies.  As you can see, Josie got to lick the beaters.

Halloween Fun

We had a few events for Josie's very first REAL Halloween.

First the high school had a Halloween night the Friday before with a haunted house and games to play.  I found out about this when I got home that night, so I didn't even get a chance to take my shoes off.

 Digging for bugs and pieces of bodies...

 Knocking over cans

 Tossing hula hoops on pumpkins

 Popping balloons

 Boo

On Saturday we carved our Jack O' Lantern... Or perhaps I should say, I CARVED IT.  Josie thought it was... disgusting.

 The scar on his left and the blood on his right were Josie's idea.

 What the heck is this thing?

 This car was at SuperStore.  I took the picture and said, "Cute," just as a lady was walking by.  She said, "Thanks."  Guess I took the picture at the right time.

Then on Halloween we went out trick or treating.  The town had sent out a flyer saying that Halloween would be from 3:30 to 7 or 8.  Luckily I was in our town that day so we changed at school and headed out.  She was nervous.  She didn't know what to do.  She felt strange going up to houses and saying, "Trick or treat."  It was slow going until we heard, "JOSIE!!!!!"  We had walked right up to a friend's house.   It was great.  Sarah and her neighbors were getting ready to go out and let Josie tag along.  Well it took no time at all for Josie to feel comfortable with trick or treating.  It was a hoot to watch.

 A teacher at the high school did up her house.  She is the zombee in the middle.  Her sister was the scary clown.  Oh the kids were freaked right out.  It was awesome.

After Trick or Treating for an hour or so, we made our way over to another town.  My cousin Alicia sends her son to Valley Christian Academy.  They were having a "Fun Night" as an alternative to Halloween.  We got some tickets and played for the rest of the night.  It was great fun.  And it was nice to know that the money earned from that night went right back into the classrooms.

 Fishing

 Teddy Toss

 Cake Walk (?)

And when everything was said and done, we looked at all the candy she had gotten and this is what she had...