Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and more!

Wow this Christmas was great.   Special.  Awesome. Delicious.  And so fulfilling!

I think the pictures do a good job of depicting some of the highlights for us, so here are about a gazillion photos:

It's become a tradition in our family (thanks to the Hardy clan) to enjoy seafood on Christmas Eve.    

It was a perfectly long and drawn out dinner that was served in courses.   Grandpa Hardy and I worked together on this dinner (with Grandpa providing the seafood!) and it was sure fun to watch how excited the kids were.  First Course:  Mussels, French Onion Soup and bread.  Second Course:   Steak and Lobster with Baked Potatoes  Third Course:  Salad and Crab

Mmmm MMmmm - it was delicious!    The kids were initially very thrilled to see so many live crustaceans in our home and they were convinced for a time that we'd actually allowed them to have a pet!!  They named the lobsters "Scary" and "Larry"  and the crab was affectionately dubbed "Cranky."    (Don't worry- these little guys were so tasty, the kids didn't mind one bit saying goodbye;)  

After dinner (and after a fabulous group of carollers stopped by - thanks Jewel;) the kids all got dressed up to reenact the nativity.   It's always a special part of our Christmas Eve and gives us a moment to reflect on the true meaning of the season.    Our little Joseph couldn't quite contain his excitement this year.    

He was beyond irreverent!  (But he's 5 and it was Christmas Eve -not sure we could have expected anything more from him;)

After the kids reenacted that beautiful story, the kids all said goodnight to Grandpa and then (for the one and only time in all the year) they started asking to go to bed.  Yes- ASKING!!!

   But first - they had to open up their new Christmas Jammies!

Once that was over though, it was straight to bed without so much as an argument.   Nate was quite panicked actually as he worried he wouldn't get to sleep in time.   When else does that happen?  NEVER!  (It stands as proof to me that kids are in fact capable of falling asleep without resorting to a string of crazy stalling tactics.  Who knew?)   

Each Christmas Eve, the kids like to sleep under the tree in hopes of catching Santa.   That tricksy guy though- he always sneaks past them.  (It's a good thing we always have two trees!!)  I love the softness and tenderness of this picture.   Each of the kids were sleeping contently and I was convinced that there really may have been "visions of sugarplums dancing in their heads."

John and I, ahem...I mean SANTA got all the gifts ready and barricaded the stairs with wrapping paper.  (We learned this from Jewel and Kendall.  It prevents kids from getting to the loot early the next morning and it also gives them something to SMASH through when they are finally permitted to find their stockings and gifts!)  haha

Speaking of gifts- I really think Santa nailed it this year.   Not a single video game or electronic device was given, yet they didn't complain!  Again, who knew? ;)    They each have a favorite gift.  Nate's is his super speedy sled.   (It's a little too speedy for his Moms comfort;)  Sam has been mastering all sorts of magic tricks and loves confusing and astounding us all.   Jessica spends hours hunched over her art pad.  This week she's been working on pictures of birds and has drawn a Puffin, an Avocet,  an Owl and a Hummingbird!

Abby got this bust and sewing supplies.  She's been fashioning and designing clothes all week long!   I was really impressed with her skills considering she has NEVER sewn before.  She seems to have an eye for it, not to mention a keen interest.  (Perhaps a sewing machine is in order for her Birthday?)

Ben and Kat came down Christmas day and stayed for a few days.  It definitely helped add to the festive mood to have family around.   We enjoyed a Turkey Dinner (which included Max's traditional shrimp Cocktail), the kids played board games, we lit our BBQ on fire (literally;), watched the Hobbit down at the theatre and spend an afternoon sledding out in Waterton.   So FUN!!!

They left on the 27th and we were grateful to have lots of memories of a lovely Christmas week.   We're leaving the tree up for a few more days as there is just something delightfully cozy about it.   (Jess in particular loves to sit by it while she knits or draws.)

I sure love this Christmas season and all the blessings that come with it!!

Twas two weeks before Christmas....

The last two weeks have been jam packed with Christmas fun.  So jam packed in fact, that I've barely had a moment to pause! ;)    This little town of ours seems to be inundated with flu's, strep throat and colds right now, and luckily, I was able to avoid it all until the busy-ness was done.   As soon as our "break" started?  It hit.   So now I sit here, snuggled up in a blanket, box of Kleenex in one hand and a cup of hot chocolate in the other - trying to document all the fun of the past to weeks!  

Our Christmas season officially began early in December with the CES choir concert.  This year THREE of my kids were able to be a part of this choir, and that is definitely a first for me.   I was thrilled to get to watch them all.  

  Abby is sad that this is her last year as a part of this choir.  Jessica LOVES performing and sings her heart out.  Sam was thrilled to get the opportunity to join this year, though he was admittedly VERY disappointed to discover (on concert night) that he would have to wear blush and lipstick for the performance.   The whole time he kept coming to me and saying, "Mom, I'm very uncomfortable with this."  ;)   Bless his heart though, he did great, make-up and and all!!!

That same week, we were lucky to enjoy a visit from John's two sisters.   Sarah travelled up for a few days, and Rach and her family have been in Alberta for a couple of weeks so that little Maddax could receive some innovative treatment/rehabilitation.    It was great to see them each for a few days.  We ate lots, laughed lots (huge thanks to Uncle Brent for the laughs;) and my kids loved being able to follow their cute little cousins around.    One afternoon, everyone embarked on a gingerbread house making challenge and I must say, I love the way John's family always thinks big.   Like, ALWAYS!!!  This simple little activity soon became an EXPLOSION of glue guns, crackers, ice cream cones, icing and more candy then you could ever imagine.   I felt sick after, and I just watched!!!! haha.

A couple of years ago (on a beautiful boxing day morning) I snapped this photo of the temple and it's been a favourite of mine ever since.   Two weeks ago, I posted it on my Facebook page.  It has been shared over 130 times and without even trying, I sold 22 prints over the past two weeks.   My niece told me that a guest speaker from Calgary came and spoke to her seminary class this week and apparently he was using this photo as part of his lesson!  The interest in this picture has been a fun and unsuspecting surprise, which I'm sure won't last much longer;) haha

We've also been enjoying our monthly tradition of candle light dinners each night.  I swear it helps slow down our dinner time and I keep hoping it will encourage/produce more thoughtful manners at the table?   (Though the verdict is admittedly still out on that;)    It's a childhood tradition that I hope the kids love as much as I do!!!

This photo depicts some of the other December highlights so far:  

1.  Sam, Jess and Nate joined Dad outside yesterday and went cross country skiing around the neighbourhood.  They were skiing on nothing but hardback, but that didn't dampen their spirits!   Even Nate got the hang of it.    2.  Speaking of Nate- he's turned into quite the little cook extraordinaire.  He's learned how to pop microwave popcorn himself and as a result, pretty much eats an entire bag in-between each and every meal.  It's sad, really.   A parent should intervene.   3.   We've been playing LOTS of fun Christmas games with the kids, and I'm pretty sure Family Game Night has to happen every night now!    4.  Some friends of ours gave us Hot Chocolate this year as a gift, and so I've got a fun little Hot Chocolate Nook going on.  It makes me happy, and the kids (yes even Nate!) love being able to make their own "cup of chocolate" anytime they want!    (Our little Elf even enjoys it;)   

Yesterday the kids spend all afternoon watching Studio C episodes and decorating gingerbread cookies.   Sigh...it was such a mess.   WHY does Christmas have to be so MESSY!!!!  ;)

On Friday night, we were tempted to do our regular "Family Movie Night," but decided to switch it up a little.   Inspired by Aunt Sarah (who spent an evening reading with Sam) we decided to have a Family Reading Night.   We all made a cup of hot chocolate, Nate popped popcorn (of course!) and we each grabbed a book.  Sometimes we read to each other, other times we read to ourselves.   It was so delightful!!!   Of course, everything is more enjoyable when done while sitting by a Christmas tree.

Christmas is just half a week away!!!    

Hope it is a MERRY one for everyone we love!!