Maisies Christmas House....

Last night we met our friends at Maisies Christmas House - it was a very VERY chilly night but that also meant it was very quiet there compared to last year!  We had a quick walk around and took pictures of each other, and then said goodbye and headed off - but it was a lovely way to end the day.  

Our Christmas Dinner......

Last night we had our big Christmas dinner - a week early as tomorrow Abby and Sam go to their Dads house for two weeks.  Everyone helped set up the table, and we used the centrepiece I won in the tacky gift exchange to decorate the table.

It was a fun dinner with crackers to pull as well. 

After dinner we watched a movie together - National Lampoons Christmas Vacation #2 - the sequel to the Chevy Chase movie!!  We had Christmas pudding half way though the movie :)

Yum!!!  :)

Cheers!!

Family traditions :)

Abigail made us a huge bowl of brandy butter last night.  Enough for the whole Christmas season and ready for last nights Christmas pudding :)

Cookie Exchange!!

My friend C organized a Christmas cookie exchange for us all - I chose not to take part as Abby and Sam leave for two weeks at their Dads, and I wanted to make the most of their time here before they leave without being stressed out by baking 11 dozen cookies lol!!  

I did however ask to join them for the actual exchange - which was an excuse for a playdate :)  I took dreidels and gelt, and a paperchain kit for the kids :)

It was a lovely afternoon - the children played and us grown ups ate and chatted :)

My amazing friends surprised me with some cookies to take home even though I didn't take part.  I really do have such incredible friends!!!  :)

Gingerbread Houses :)

Yesterday we spent the morning making and decorating gingerbread houses.  It was so much fun - Sam and Abby did so well - they didn't have ANY help at all but both managed to build their houses themselves :)  Abby taught me how to make the BEST icing using Laurences Meringue Powder!!  

I decorated Sams snowman and gingerbread man - that was fun :)  

Sams house:

My Shrek/ alien man:

Abigails house:

Candy for decorating - love having Bulk Barn so close :)  

My little professional:

Filling the piping bags was funny:

Mondays sunrise...

Yesterday morning Susannah and I headed to Timmys for breakfast before I drove her to school.  It actually meant a bit of a sleep-in as we got to leave later than we do for her bus!  The sunrise on the way to school was beautiful!

It makes a nice change to go to Timmys so early and have that bit of extra time with Susie :)  

For today....

Outside my window...dark....a few Christmas lights still switched on, on neighbours houses...clear skies.

I am thinking...about my Christmas 'wish list'....I think I would like a flask.  (A thermos??) and apart from that I don't know...maybe some art journaling things....

I am thankful...for a lovely weekend filled with fresh air, festive fun and time to relax at home :)  I am also thankful to Kevin and his Mom for the amazing parcel they sent us from Germany!!

In the kitchen...endless foods cooked by Abigail, plenty of festive baking, a big roast dinner tomorrow night :)

I am wearing...my peachy coloured nighty

I am creating...my JYC album - the 4th year I have taken part - and I took time this week to read through the albums from past years :)  Sweet Christmas memories <3 br="br">
I am going...to be busy again this week, but my days are filled with friends, fun and festivity, so I can't complain :)

I am wondering...what will happen in court tomorrow and am hoping P gets the result she wants :)

I am reading...still reading 'Overcoming Dyslexia' - life is so busy that I haven't had much time to read!

I am hoping...Susannahs teacher likes his Christmas gift :)

I am looking forward to...breakfast with Tara and Val this week - catching up with each others news.

I am learning...how good it is to live in town - and ow much easier it makes spending time outdoors in winter!

Around the house...Christmas decorations, pretty lights, home made Christmas crafts - blankets thrown on the sofas, signs of family life :)

I am pondering...my word for 2013 - Direction.

One of my favorite things...working on my Christmas Journal.

A few plans for the rest of the week:  Tomorrow Abby has French class - their Christmas party I believe - and Sam and I are off to the homeschool cookie exchange party - we are taking dreidels and gelt to teach how to play Spin The Dreidel.  Tomorrow night we are having our Christmas dinner - before Abby and Sam leave for their two weeks with their Dad.  Tuesday we have the homeschool group at the library which I am sure will be fairly festive - and then afterwards we are going to C's house for a playdate.  And so it continues in pretty much the same way all week....  :)

Sunday snapshots...

Christophers view from his new apartment in Vancouver - complete with the picture frame and picture of Abby she gave him:

When we took Rosie for a walk today, we stopped off at the ice rink by our house for a while.  Susie skated around in her boots - and then when we got home she persuaded Abby to go with her to the rink again and skate :)  We are so lucky to live right beside a splashpark for Summer, a playground, and an ice rink :)  

Morning coffee:

Craft time:

Abby and Sams snow cave/ snow fort - complete with flag:

Signs of Christmas at home: