Christmas 2014

Christmas morning was a special time. So many gifts and yet we progressed through them smoothly and individually and with thanksgiving as well. I have lots of pictures which I will continue to sift through but mostly they are for our enjoyment later on. Here's a few...

Taken at church Dec 28 2014

Grace drew pictures on her chalkboard all Christmas morning

Alicia looked beautiful in her sparkle dress and wore it to church

Josh liked his Burton hoodie and has worn it every day!

In the afternoon of Christmas Day, the kids were off for dinner at the inlaws while we joined our neighbors for a wonderful meal. On Boxing Day, we were preparing for our own Christmas turkey and opened the remainder of our Christmas gifts to each other. It was like Christmas Day all over again! Very exciting.

The weather had turned a bit cooler but still allowed the boys opportunity to go to the local outdoor skating rink for hockey for a few hours. No one was there they said! They love the outdoor skating rink!

The dinner was amazing and as usual we ate too much. Leftovers were much appreciated the next day!

Merry Christmas 2014

The Family

Well, it is the day after the day after the big day! We had our Christmas celebrations on Boxing Day this year so I am now 'one day off' for the remainder of the year!!!

Whenever you celebrate as a family, it is special. However, I never realized just how much work my mom put into getting everything 'special' for us! It doesn't just start on the morning of Christmas! Days before you are cooking and baking and planning, buying gifts, re-arranging furniture, buying new furniture, washing, cleaning! Not that I don't do that anyway but never ALL at the same time! That being said, it was all worth it.

This morning I am stiff, tired but happy!!!

Christmas morning

Oilers Fan!

Excitement for gifts

Too many pictures to show but just know there are lots!!

Counting the Days

Not necessarily because I am excited but more that I am not ready! Always seems to be something more to do. Once you start cleaning, it seems to take forever! Does that mean I haven't done this corner before or did I skim it or skip it last time and that is why it needs 'more' attention? Trying to throw things out - discard - regift (haha that only happens when everyone is in agreement to doing so). I must admit the 'gift exchange' parties do come in handy sometimes for regifting - but not family!

We cleaned out a lot in the basement so that I can move more things down there in their place! Need to clean off the dining room table of all the gift wrap and boxes and ribbon and get it set up for dinners for 8. That's a big stretch for a small size of table for 2. Amazing how that becomes a big effort eh? Love having everyone here once they are here...getting to that place is sometimes a bit of a pull on my emotions.

On the other hand, it feels good to make cookies and hamburger soup and buy all the 'extra' things for Christmas. A good cleaning of the house never hurts either! All in all, looking forward to 'family time' - and all that goes with it! 

Merry Christmas!

Shopping Challenges

I was shopping a few weeks ago for one of my grandkids and saw a sale at the Bay for 40% off dishes. Well, I did need to get a few $10-15 gifts for the gift exchanges we are doing at the different Christmas parties so thought this would be perfect. I also just HAD to have one for myself as well. Ended up buying 5 sets. You know you have to buy something so why not do it all at once? ! After being home for a week, I got 'buyers blues' which I think meant I 'second-guessed' myself about the purchase. Although I love them (they are ALL different styles) I wondered if the girls at the office would think it was too much - as they really didn't want to do the gift exchange in the first place. I have decided that even if they 'stuck to the rules and got an actual $15 gift, my $25 gift which was marked down by the sale to $14.99 certainly falls into the monetary category anyway. They just benefit from it, right?

The thing about shopping early just means that I second-guess myself all the time. I buy something, then return it, then see something different that might be better and so on and so on and so on.  I know it is the 'thought' that counts, but still..I struggle with getting the right gift!!

This year our daughter said maybe it would be easier all around if we just bought ONE gift each. Well, yes, it would but...where's the fun in that?! I have tried to do that. I actually wrapped two tank tops together inside of two other long sleeve shirts on top of one pair of leggings to make ONE package for a birthday gift. I thought I was being 'creative'! I may be doing the same thing for Christmas! I am a gramma, you have to do those kinds of things, right?

Well, it is off to the store again as now I am into the daughter and son-in-law! Still trying to be creative!