Christmas Day

Christmas morning was very sunny and beautiful. I suppose if I can't have a white Christmas then sun is better than rain! We had 'Land of Nod' cinnamon buns for breakfast....a sugar rush for all.

Our boys are very patient on Christmas morning and always have been. No waking up at obscenely early hours or any of that monkey business!

Liam also patiently waited to open his gifts.

How is it that babies know fairly early on what a phone is? It's not like I am often on the phone in his presence but he will put about anything shaped like a phone to his ear and 'chat'!

The boys loved their Star Wars thing-a-ma-bob. Whatever...what do I know about these things?

Keith and I both got each other a new smell :) Perfume for me and cologne for him. Yeah...looking a bit tired, aren't I? Just keeping it real.

And then I opened Santa's gift to us (me)! A new camera! Yippee! I like it but am still adjusting to all the new features and settings.

Liam and I in our red Christmas sweaters. We went back to my mom's in the afternoon for turkey dinner.

My dad took out his antique train set that he's had since he was a little boy to show Liam. Liam definitely approved with many 'ooh-ooh-ohhs'!

Chad knows to hug the cook....and sneak a few tastes before dinner is served.

Every year I say it's my mom's best turkey dinner ever. I think this year beat them all....it was tops!

My grandpa came over for part of the afternoon and evening. He moved into the Menno Home this past fall and I think was thrilled to have a break from it. He was in good form and definitely enjoyed seeing the kids. He tried very hard to get Liam to come sit on his lap but Liam is wary of 'strangers' and the best he could manage was to pat Grandpa's knee.

Just playing with my new camera....

After supper my parents took out the laptop to show my Grandpa some photos from his brother's recent funeral.

Grandpa went back to the Menno Home around 7:30 and when my dad came back we put Liam to bed so we could all watch a movie. Andrew gave me 'Enchanted' and so we watched that. A good girlie movie at best that my boys will tolerate because at least there is a dragon in the last scenes.

A wonderful day with my family!

Christmas Eve

If you've been reading my blog long enough you'll know well enough by now that we spend Christmas Eve with my family. Our tradition is to attend church, have dinner together and then get to the main event!

The kids were pleased with their gifts. Actually they are really easy to please! I was happy too, with my new stainless steel colander, wok, movie, cookbook, hand held blender and some cash!

My mom LOVED her new monogrammed apron. I ordered this gift on Dec 1st and was a bit stressed when it took almost all month to arrive. It finally came on Dec 23rd...phew!

Liam was a treasure to watch this year. Last year he was just 3 months old but this year as a 15 month old he was so much fun. He totally got into the whole idea of gifts and loved opening them. He was so well behaved too!

Keith and I happy as clams and stuffed as pigs after my mom's amazing supper.

My brother and his nephews. They just think he's the best thing since sliced bread. He spends so much quality time with them and in return they adore him.

It was a wonderful evening. We went home around midnight so we could make sure Santa got to our house too!

My Christmas Wish

My biggest Christmas wish is that everyone comes to know...truly know...that the greatest gift to mankind was Jesus. My greatest joy is freedom in Christ!

Merry Christmas to all of you.

With love,

Rachel & Keith

Nathan, Chad & Liam

My Oven was On ALL Day!

I woke up and was on a mission to get all my Christmas baking done today. Actually, I think it's very smart to do it close to Christmas because it doesn't get all eaten up before you actually need it.

I tried a few new recipes and a few classic stand-bys as well.

First was Oreo cookie bark. The boys give it two thumbs up!

Next was Kori's famous sugar cookies. Each year I get better and better at rolling out the dough to the correct thickness. I thought these were my best yet.
I sent the boys out delivering goodies to the neighbors.

Mmmmm....caramel corn. Definitely one of my weaknesses!

This was a new recipe this year. I spotted them on the Kraft website and gave them a go. The chocolate cookie has cream cheese in it. After they are baked you drizzle melted white chocolate and sprinkle with crushed candy canes. The kids say they are good.

I don't sample the baking so I have to take their word for it!

Pleased As Punch

I was a proud mama this weekend. Chad did a fantastic job being 'lead' shepherd in the Kids Town Choir production this weekend at church. All the kids did great actually and I just loved watching them....at ALL three services. And the sermon....wow....what a sermon! I'm so thankful for our pastor.

And Nate had a big part today as well since he was chosen to light the Advent candles in the service today. He did an excellent job!

On top of that Nathan brought home a most impressive report card on Friday as well. It looks like middle school agrees with him as it was full of As and Bs.

Crazy Fun

Yesterday work was nuts! Completely fun but exhausting. This two week break is much needed and I cannot wait to focus solely on my family for a few weeks.

The principal and VP dressed as Santa. We had Elf Olympics and Santa was the target for 'snowballs'. AKA wadded up wet paper towels!

Marci helping Santa look just right!

Marci testing out the limbo station. This was set up just outside the office and we had to listen to 'Feliz Davidad' for about two hours straight as the teams each took their turn. I will never be the same.

And what do you think about these beauts? I was FORCED to wear this hideous sweater. I ended up making and wearing a label that read 'Marci's Sweater' since I didn't want people to think that I owned such a travesty! I thought the flashing earrings were cool though and most of the students though so too!

Holidays are a Good Thing

I'm just tickled that today is last day of school for the boys and for ME! Bring on the holidays!

Winter Activities

Last week-end Kori and I took the kids to Prospera's Annual free skate in Chilliwack. Nate was particularly keen on going as he had just received a hand-me-down set of ice skates. The kids had a good time skating while Kori and I chatted in the stands. A nice bonus was free hot chocolate and popcorn. To top it all off we received a very nice prize for making a donation to the food bank...the DVD 'Journey to the Centre of the Earth'. The kids can't wait to see it, so we'll save it for a movie night over the holidays.

In keeping with tradition, today we attended the IAFF union kids Christmas party. The format doesn't really change from year to year. Crafts, cookie decorating, hot dogs, and a visit from the Jolly man himself.

This year Liam was more than happy to actually get into the whole party scene rather than sit in his car carrier like last year. He was in fine form as he loves a party but quickly melted down after another child took a duplo block away from him. He was not the same after that....actually he was quite awful. He's not used to other kids taking things from him as Nate and Chad cater to his every need!

Chad was pleased with his gift. It's a hit or miss situation at times and it must be very overwhelming for the organizers to do all that shopping for so many age ranges!

Liam liked his tractor for about five minutes and then continued to whinge and whine.

As you can see, Liam was having no part of Santa this year. I'm sure if he had been in a better mood we might have gotten him to sit on his lap...or I could be delusional about that.

I wonder if this will be Nate's last year on Santa's knee?

There are good times to be had on the grimy foosball table. I hope he didn't pick up a virus for Christmas!

Both Nathan and Chad really enjoyed the air hockey and really didn't care for the snacks or crafts once they started playing. It would be a great Christmas gift actually but we need a bigger house first! Do you think Santa will bring us one?!

A Busy Week

Hey all! Christmas busy-ness is upon us here at our household. It isn't unmanageable or anything but definitely more go-go-go that usual.

My home is starting to slide downward. My dining room table has been a dumping ground and it's driving me crazy. My plan is to deal with it in the morning!

I've been out three nights in a row now and am missing my baby boy at bedtime. On Wednesday evening I took the boys to the MEI Middle school Christmas concert. They loved it and I must say it was nice to be at a school concert that wasn't all about Santa and his elves. Nate especially loved the marching band and I think he'd like to come to MEI just to join that!

Then for the past two nights I've been helping out in the kitchen at church for our big Christmas production. It's been great fun and completely enjoyable but after a full day of work it's exhausting as well. I'm glad it's the weekend now. Soccer has been cancelled tomorrow due to frozen fields so we can all sleep in. Yippee!

Oh and today I was presented with this award at school. It was a bit weird to get an award during chapel and have to walk up in front of everyone to get it (I tried to 'forget' to attend but the principal had someone come and fetch me from the office just in time to have my named called!) but a nice honour all the same. It wasn't a surprise at all since I am the one in charge of typing and printing up these certificates! But I did decide that my parents should not be phoned and invited to chapel along with all the others to see their child receive their award :)

Random Cuteness

My brother and his fancy camera paid a visit last night. I just had to post some of these great shots of our little trouble maker!

Family Project

This gingerbread house kit caught my eye at Costco last week. I knew the kids would really enjoy it and actually I also knew that Keith would love it too. My role would be supervising, photo taking and cleaning up! I knew that if I started participating, I'd take charge and then it's not fun for the kids. So this is what they created. It's electic for sure!

Rush Rush

I race in the door, throw the chicken in the oven, dice the onions, carrots and celery and start the rice pilaf all before I even take off my coat!

This is because it's soccer night and I stopped after work on a errand which made me behind schedule. We had dinner eaten and Chad ready to go to soccer when Keith calls from work....won't be home for a long time due to investigating an arson. Chad will have to miss practice. Sigh......

Nate and Chad had NO trouble helping me enjoy yet another gift I received at work today. Yippee for Purdy's!

Mmmm....num num!

Liam is a foodie just like his mum. He eagerly anticipates every meal and declares it all....mmmmmmm! We have yet to find a food he won't eat.

Cheese Please

There was no way I could pass up this cheese I found at Costco today! Irish cheese is delicious and well, it felt rather nostalgic to buy some imported cheese from the Emerald Isle (it didn't hurt it was $2 off either!)

I also received my first Christmas gift yesterday. This was given to me at school by a parent and the container is filled with scrumptious homemade caramel popcorn. One of my many weaknesses!

Missing It

While we're on the subject of grumpy children I couldn't resist posting this picture of my moody tween. Nate occasionally puts up a fuss when we tell him it's time for a walk. We walk after dinner most nights if it's not raining. The kids are generally good natured about it but there are days when they'd much rather stay home and play. This was one of those times!

Liam on the other hand likes walks in the stroller. What's not to like anyhow? He's as snug as a bug! It's been raining like crazy lately so our walks have been very sporadic. I think we're in for a dry spell now so it's time to get back at it!