Christmas Highlights

Usually, I will have posted pictures of our Holiday festivities. It's been TOO CRAZY this year. I hope to get to it before January, or maybe before Spring, but if I don't, know that I'm thinking about what's going on, and I am still taking pictures documenting what's happened. But, you'll have to come borrow my hard drive if you want to see them (It'll take a few hours- maybe running into days).

At any rate, the highlights of our Christmas Weekend:

Christmas Eve
morning- our furnace breaks. After much deliberation and attempts to contact our landlord, we called the emergency number for the furnace people, who showed up and said that the part couldn't be obtained until the store opened Monday morning. No heat for Christmas.
afternoon- scrambled to get space heaters; went "bum sledding" with the whole family- AWESOME! (I'll have to post pictures later)
evening- watched, listened, and read the Christmas story. Girls got a bath and ran around in towels until they could open their Christmas jammies (picture to be posted later)

Christmas Day
morning- Christmas stockings followed by crepes (egg and blackberry), and then unwrapping presents. Miranda opened everything she could get her hands on (including Veronica's presents). Veronica just wanted to unwrap and cared little for what was inside. Megan and Zo&eum; are professionals, but enjoyed each gift as they unwrapped them. Favorite gifts?
Veronica- Littlest Petshop MP3 Dog: it plays music from an MP3 player, but 'Nica loves pushing the nose to make the dog dance, sneeze, bark, etc.
Miranda- the Barbie fairies (one of which was Veronica's) and the Tree Tent (which was Veronicas). Once she opened the Barbies she left the rest of her presents sitting wrapped on the couch next to her while she played.
Megan- digital video/picture camera (child; poor pic quality) and her almost-not-quite-American-Girl-Doll that she named Daisy. The two gifts were never far from her arms the rest of the day.
Zoë- digital camera; a real one that takes better pics that mom's pocket camera. This was used on everything and every one.
Mom- toss up between wool socks, Dremmel tool, Carcassone (game) and a warm-drink cup a friend gave her.
Dad- probably the music that he got: John Williams (Superman, Indiana Jones, Olympics, etc.), Gershwin, Lewis, Barenaked Ladies, etc. Not sure if there was another favorite, unless it's the picture frames the girls made for him.
Family- Nana got us a Wii with lots of games that we had fun playing.

afternoon & evening- talked with family on Skype, roasted a turkey (which helped keep our house warm), made Chutney, rolls, mashed potatoes, and salad for dinner (YUM!) and kept warm with space heaters and running around.

The Day-After (Grandma's Birthday)
We wore our matching dresses (skirt for me) to church. The girls looked so cute! I'm glad that they still let me dress them in matching things. I even made matching dresses for Megan's and Zoë's dolls. It was definitely a "chill-out" day. I'll include a picture of them (from our Christmas Cards that might be arriving at your house sometime this week- sorry I didn't get them in the mail until Christmas Eve). We even remembered to call Mom/Grandma/Claudia and wish her a happy birthday!


The best parts of Christmas were being able to give and receive service, gifts, and all in remembrance of my Savior. I know He is mindful of my needs, and those of my families, and blesses us with what is best for us, and often with many of our wants. I am so grateful for the Peace He brings- to my heart, to my family, and to my life. I am grateful to have Christmas to remember His birth, the hope he promised- and fulfilled, and that everybody is able to be a little more patient, a little more kind, and a lot more thoughtful of others' needs and wants. I'm also VERY grateful for central heating! And, the best best part? I got to be with my husband, and share these great memories and times together.

I hope your Christmas was at least 1/10 as wonderful as mine was. And, I hope you are warm and happy with your family, too.

Merry Christmas!