And tonight's award for best smile on a person under 4 goes to... Graeme! Oh yeah, like boys need instruction on how to hit things with hammers. ;-) Man, Sam's really grown up since we last saw him. Graeme loved the idea of wearing a helmet. His Grandpa will be so proud. I am going to gaze intently until you pass me that thing you're holding. Daniel looks so hurt. He's claiming he's trapped in the toy. "No Sierra". (Where *did* he get his fear of dogs?) Now, *that's* a chew toy. We tried, somewhat unsuccessfully, to barricade the tree with toys. Look at Sam motor. Ah, hello Oliver. I see we've discovered the joys of cucumber. You're not my Mommy! It's musical babies. Show up, hand off. Once in a while you even end up with your own. As long as you leave with the right number, that's all that counts. Grip still firm on that cucumber. Hello. Don't mind me, I'm off to work. I'd love to know what they're looking at so intently. Nice expressions. Man, look at all those gifts. You'd think it was Christmas or something. Daniel being cute. The children's gift exchange! ...and one for you... What do we have here? And one for Graeme. You didn't think we'd forgotten about you, I hope? Let me help you with that. Evil Steph possesses camera. The Daniels. The family shot. Chris, Jennifer, and Daniel. (David missing) I remember that game. Graeme with his new Play-Doh. Ryan wants to play too. Look at all those kids. Man, the place is thick with them. Oliver has some good expressions. (see later, too) Jonathan and a tired looking Sebastien. The expression tells a story. (fill in the blank) Awww, colour coordinated even. Look Mom, *two* teeth! (Jay found out today!) he he Sitting among the wreckage. Father and son portrait shot. But let's see some more personality... ...there we go. Work that camera. No Dad, of course I don't think I'm getting too big to be picked up. Why do you ask? Nissan and Jenn share a moment. Sarah heads upstairs... ...with a follower! Hello David. Charlene is starting to show. I love this shot of Lorraine. And the mystery guest is... WILL! Long time no see. It's all in the expressions. I love this series. Cute kid. Who's the strongest? Superman, of course! By request. (Daniel insisted I get this shot) So all the 2-4 year olds slept in the same room. Graeme got Daniel's bed, because Daniel wanted the Spiderman inflatable. Sarah looks like she's reading intently. Smart girl that Sarah. The room was a bit chaotic at bedtime. Nice. Now once more dahlings, a little closer together. Come on people, work with me here. I had one variation which was a slightly better photo of Micah, but you can't beat that expression on Steph's face. Sprawled. Will brings us up to date on what he's been up to. I love that red hair. (and then the contrast with his Dad's hair is what made the photo for me.) Okay, that's two shots with Steph in Micah's lap. Is there something we're not being told? Ah, a semi-good shot of Chris. (candid, you see) Grab it while I can. Nice laugh. Charlene looks really happy. You don't notice it at first, but it's the matching black shirts that make the shot. (self portrait) Okay. The kids have gone to bed. It's time for the adults' gift exchange. Fun and merriment. Steph, a thrust please? Thank you. Everyone has fun when we get together. We should do it more often. Naughty School Teacher Katy. (I love the lighting here) Alcohol *must* be flowing if Doug is doing self portraits with the SLR. Only 3 more months! (nice smile) Horizontal pink stripes meet vertical pink stripes on a couch of hashed-green. Danger Will Robinson. (At least pink and green don't fight.) We're not yet at the "random gift exchange cum garage sale" portion of the evening. (This was something he asked for!) Chris, you can't evade me. Nice to see Paul and Janet. Steph always finds a way to look festive. Thar be popcorn! Hey, what is he doing up? The best 'parent moment' was the 3-floor relay of info. on whose child was crying. ("Yes, not mine!" was heard frequently.) Vice grips. That was one of the good ones. That looks comfy. And the evening starts to wind down. Happy New Years everyone!