Oops! it has been some time without an update on the blog. Just like before, when it happens, it’s because we have been crazy busy!

I did a little design here and there, which kept me busy. The flyer for the belly-dance school’s 2011 show is done, as a matter of fact. I like how it turned out this year:

In addition to my couple projects — and the kids, and work, hehe — we had the chance to receive our families for Christmas, this year. Even if it kept us pretty busy with cleaning up the house and preparing everything during December and especially the previous week, it was an honour to receive the people we love in our house.

On the 24, we ate a scrumptious meal at the Troquet (Delta hotel’s restaurant) with my family (parents, brother, sister, partners). First course of gouda, proschiutto, maple and fruits, soup, dear medaillon for the main course and crème brûlée for dessert. Yum, yum! The kids had pogos, which they liked just as much, and were relatively well behaved throughout the long meal. Next, evening at our place, unwrapping of presents, viewing of photos and wine. Sleep at 2am, ouf!

On the 25, Frank’s family, including relatives on his father’s side, came to have dinner here. Our house is not vast, but it received everyone alright. With the help of Lucie, Frank’s mother, the meal was a success — squash soup, 3.5 kg roast beef, vegetables and cake and pie for dessert. Orly fell asleep spectacularly at the dinner table, her mouth full of pie. Xavier found a couple of partners to play board games. Finally, we ended the night with 2 games of “Ticket to Ride”.

On the 26 and 27, we continued our Christmas tradition by watching Anastasia (the Dreamworks version) and started a new tradition by walking the path at the Cap’s Stanctuary, which is filled with fairy lights for Christmas — and freeze a couple of fingers!

We still have three activities/celebrations to go on the 31st of December, and a couple of days to work until then. Afterwards, 2011 will make its grand entry, so have a great week everyone! Make the most of 2010′s last days!

During the weeks prior to our trip to Vegas, we have been quite busy with preparing for leaving. So we did not take the time to note the great work of our friend Nicolas Bouchard, who came to photograph Frank’s family. (Link to his gallery for that day.)

I know we take a lot of pictures in general, but it’s rare enough that we have a nice picture with all four of us on it, or even a couple’s picture! Thank you thank you!

Nic also took group pictures with Frank’s family. And recently, when we were at the annual Halloween party Amelie and him are throwing, he took pictures of each costumed guest, in his small home studio. Cool idea!

The party, as usual, was good fun. This year’s theme was Red Carpet: appetizers, candy, video games and glam decor under the artistic direction of the talentful Amélie.

(Photo credits: Nicolas Bouchard)

Internet Explorer is doing a lot of catching up right now, so I hear, on rendering new CSS, HTML, etc. specs. Meanwhile, though, if you are still stuck with IE (8 at least, hopefully) and wondering what you’re missing, here are comparative screenshots of my new homepage.

(Hint: IE won’t render text-shadow, opacity, rgba colour… and I didn’t even use rounded corners and box-shadow!)

François takes a portrait of me:

I explain to Frank that a portrait usually doesn’t include the whole backyard.
Frank takes another picture of me:

E – “François, did you see the big shadow on my face?”
F – “Ah, look at that. Yes, that’s my head…”

Xavier takes a portrait of me:

Hum.

Xavier takes another portrait of me:

Ok, Xavier’s now my official portraitist.

Just to manage some change, while I’m stepping from my twenties to my thirties, my hair got a little home coloration. So I went from this:

To this:

Thanks François for the help! (through appropriate male grumbling, of course).

Note to those who’d like to try the colour: a little too orangy/copper… tough to find matching clothes in my wardrobe (pink? no. purple? nah…), but it’s still a nice little change!

Xavier, before this morning:

Xavier, after meeting the clipper:

I know!! It’s real short. But oh well, we have to experiment. I like, however, how much it brings out his eyes:

It’s even more overwhelming in person. What’s more, well, it’ll buy him a break from all the haircutting he hates.

As for Orly, it’s quite the opposite: at long last, her hair is starting to grow a little! Now I can fix two pigtails on her.