Saturday, December 26, 2015

Christmas 2015

Merry Christmas one and all. Another Christmas has come and just about gone. Such a wonderful holiday.

Every Christmas is different on an individual basis. We visit the Christmas nativity and celebrate the holy birth in a variety of ways....church, music, ornaments, and a lot more. My favorite thing about this holiday, and others is family. My Christmas memories  ( and you know my memory doesn't always work)....do go way back to early mornings with my siblings ( Julie always woke us sooooo early)  dragging dad out of bed, using the largest socks we could find to hang for Santa, Mom visiting Munchies on Christmas Eve, claire toys, ribbon candy,and so much more. We were super messy with wrapping paper everywhere. ( I say this after watching  Miss Emmy pick up paper wrapping before it could hit the floor).... this year's memory. 

This year we were invited to spend Christmas Eve and Christmas morning with Michael and Keah. Being empty nesters, and with Karen at the  in-laws, it was a very welcome invite. We headed down after lunch on the Eve and were greeted by two very excited five year olds. Oh seeing Christmas through the eyes of children is so wonderful. 
We had a yummy dinner, and then read stories, played games, gave the girls baths, and had one last story. Then off to bed they went. Keah ( with a little of my help ) then started to create the fixings for an amazing Christmas breakfast, and Michael started building a Lego table.

Surprise, surprise....our early bird girls slept in until 7am....big shock .....but welcomed. After stocking opening, and a delicious breakfast....bacon, eggs, amazing cinnamon buns, and a delicious fruit salad. ( variety of drinks included) we opened gifts and several things crossed my mind. I loved seeing the thoughtfulness behind gift giving, I loved the gratitude expressed by these two sweet girls ( even before they opened some gifts), Emmy's love of organizing the paper, and watching my son build Lego with his ladies. It was also wonderful to facetime with Laura and Kathy. I'll see Karen after dinner.
Heading home we detoured to visit my baby brother, Glenn and his family. Again...family.

Evening dinner was with Bill's Mom. She has had a rough year, and the Christmas spirit was pretty low for her, and it was wonderful to lift her up on this special day. We enjoyed some facetime with Laura and Nanny then headed over for a visit with Bill's sister  Lynn and Tom.  Lots of family time...and that's what the day was all about.  

I sometimes think that the busy times of the season remove us from the true reason for the season....the birth of Jesus Christ. I however feel differently now....and know  that throughout today, even though I missed being with all of my family....the spirit of the season lifted me when I was with the family that I could be with. No matter where we are, the LOVE that we have for each other brings us the spirit of the season !!!

Finally a few photos...I missed taking some along the way...




 




 


 


 

 

 

 


 


 







 


Love getting photo from my kiddies far away

 


 



 

 Yeah....I finally got to see Olivia Karen and Brandon



My sweet Fab five.....growing so much

 


 

So here comes the end of my ramblings....My family is everything to me...and you know Christmas is a celebration of the Birth of Jesus Christ. How did he arrive...IN A FAMILY. What was his main message in life.....LOVE ONE ANOTHER. He is still the main message of my Christmas...and the rest of my life. Christ came to make an atonement for you, me, and our families. He gave the greatest gift...his life. 
At this Christmas season I want to bear my solemn witness that Jesus Christ is real, he was born in Bethlehem of Mary, and he is the only only way back to our Heavenly Home. The plan of Salvation and happiness is in place...and oh how I love it. Christ is preparing to return again and oh how glorious that will be !!



Merry Christmas to you all and the Best in the New Year to come......I'm so excited to welcome two new babies to our family!!



Monday, December 21, 2015

DECEMBER....TIME TO REMEMBER

December is passing  at its usual unbelievable pace. It's been a rather mild rainy month, with some rather beautiful fall like days in between the showers. There have been days of decorating, some baking, card making, sewing,shopping and wrapping. I've been to a sweet concert in Bridgewater, and an impromptu one at Hfx. Kiddie Capers. Both were awesome.I attended a delightful craft night at my friend Monica's home, and a Relief Society Christmas event. Bill and I celebrated 40 years of marriage and we partied with our precious Olivia on the weekend to celebrate her 4th birthday.

 

     My Decorating elf.....she loves to play with my ornaments


My oldest ornament....40 years old from  my sister Dianne




card making

 

This has been the year of crying Santa visits.....I just want my Momma


Love watching our 2016 babies grow

 

      Love my daily photos from Sophia



Yes...our little ones give talks at church ( with Momma's help)
Well done Olivia


 


Our Parading Penguins...perfect concert


 

Our Christmas queen....so much decorating  fun


No more Momma




 

How I love these photos


Wish that I could have been at their concert.
grateful for photos

 

Rudolph at the Giving Tree

 

         Our Sweet girl is 4 on the 24th

 

 

My school girls loving writing and reading...enjoyed some Gramma time with them.

ALL FOR NOW....BRING ON CHRISTMAS