The Annual Heal Christmas Party

Every year since I can remember, I've had a Christmas party.  It started when I was growing up, my parents hosted a neighbourhood sing a long.  Dad played on the organ, Mr. Lenord played the piano.  The neighbours came and sang songs, drank the punch, brought Christmas treats and everyone got into the festive season.

A few years after I moved out,  one Christmas I brought all my friends back to my parents house, Dad played the organ, Mom had out treats and we all sang the same carols that I did as a kid.

When Chris and I moved in together, our first Christmas was also as new home owners, so of course, the Heal Christmas party began.  This year we continued on for our 11th.

It was a quiet year.  A lot of other events seemed to be happening and took some of our regulars to other places that night.  But while I missed seeing some, I still enjoyed visiting with others.  Sure, I kinda wish I had an organ and piano in my living room cuz I can sing a mean Rudolph....but I really enjoy celebrating the season with friends and family.

This was a weekend packed with Christmas festivities.  Friday a lunch at work, Friday night Chris' staff Christmas party, Saturday lunch with Dave, Sue and Gumpmom and Saturday night at our place.  To say the least, I was pooped on Sunday morning, but a Bailey's coffee to start the day kept me going.

What's your answer?

a favorite photo from 2008

My friend Vanessa had this list posted on her blog and I loved the idea.  I hope you either answer below or copy and post it on your blog so I can read it!

1.   The holiday season is: my favourite!  I look forward to this time of year all year, and can usually tell you how many more days left even in the middle of June!

2.   Snow makes me: happy!  I love the snow, I love the snow more than most people for sure.  I find it peaceful and beautiful and fun.  

3.  The best comfort food to eat when it's cold out is: hot chocolate with lots and lots of marshmallows

4. Winter is the best time for:  snuggling in and watching family movies with popcorn

5.  I can hardly wait for: Christmas Eve and Christmas morning.  This year, Christmas eve is just us four, which I am really looking forward too.  And Christmas morning is so fun with the kids at this age, they are really excited about it all.

6.  When it comes to holiday gifts I prefer to: wrap them with pretty bows and ribbons. If I have time, I would love to make some hand made tags.

7.  If I were to rate my excitement about the holiday season on a scale from 1-10, I would say I am at about a: +12.  I'm a little crazy about this time of year and while that type of excitement usually subsides in someone my age, I don't really see that happening!

Merry Christmas, only 10 more sleeps!!!

Christmas Came Early

A Christmas Elf snuck into my house and left me a present.  What was really sweet is that Miss Christmas junior (aka Kaylee) was the first person in the house to spot the difference!

The Christmas Elf replaced my plain jane tree skirt with something pretty spectacular.  The Christmas Elf worked very very hard over the past (apparently three years) and really went at it over the last month.

You see, the Christmas Elf knows how much I LOVE my stockings.  And how much I know went into that so many many years ago.  So the Christmas Elf found a kit to make a matching tree skirt and spent hours putting it together for me.

The detail is amazing.

The whole skirt is filled with gingerbread houses, Santa's ands Scotties (we had a Scottie growing up)

I know that this took a long long time for the Christmas Elf to finish, and that she did it for me because I love Christmas and I appreciate the effort and love put into this BEAUTIFUL tree skirt.

So thanks Mom, you are the best Christmas Elf ever!!  And this will be in our family as long as the stockings are.  Love you lots!!

The Stockings Were Hung by the Chimney With Care

Putting up the tree is always a favourite thing to do.  Little tight on space this year with some new furniture, but we made it fit.

Our tree is filled with ornaments, to too many Christmas balls.  Every year Chris received a special ornament of which all are on our tree.  He has continued that tradition with the kids and each year goes out and picks one up just for them.  I love that that is a tradition he shares with them.

I have lots of my favourites too, the ones most special to me are the ones that my grandmother made.  She for a number of years made intricate beaded stars and bells, and there are only a few remaining.  But they always have a place on my tree. 

Along with pulling out all the other decorations, my favourite to see every year are the stockings.  My stocking in particular holds a special place for me because my Grandma made mine (and my brothers) many moons ago.  In fact, I don't ever remember having another one.

When I was in my early 20s, I made the same type for my parents and surprised them with it.  That was when I fully appreciated the love and time that went into the one I already had.  When Chris and I got married, Mom made him one.  And of course, in true family tradition, both of my children received them for their first Christmas.  It may be years before they truly appreciate them, but I know how special they are.

The house is now (mostly) decorated.  Getting close!!

Fa la la la, la la la la

We wish you a Merry Christmas,
We wish you a Merry Christmas,
We wish you a Merry Christmas
And a Happy New Year

The school had their Annual Sing a Long tonight, which was lots of fun.  While the teachers have been on a work to rule all semester, it was nice to see that the priorities tonight were where they should have been, on the community.

The school gym was packed with parents and kids, and lots of teachers all singing Christmas carols and getting into the Holiday Spirit.

The North Pole

When you work at a place that has something called The Peak of Christmas, and you happen to be a certified Christmas person who is raising two other such Christmas people, you can't have the season go by without a visit to the local North Pole.

This of course means visiting reindeer (in this case Vixon and Dancer)

Santa Claus

Ice Skating

Sleighrides

and lots of fun!

St. Nick

The plan today was to go see Santa Claus. And once that plan is in place....well you just can't change it. So when Chris got called into work, we just kept going with what needed to be done, go visit the guy in red.

I'm trying very hard (and this is hard for me) not to push Santa too much. I realize the magic only lasts for so long, so I'm cautious with everything. I have two strong believers in my household and I want that to go for as long as I can!!

After getting the groceries and having some lunch, it was time to head out. Kaylee happily put on her new Christmas red dress, and I found a pair of jeans that didn't have holes in them for Braydon. Out we went expecting to wait in a big line up.

But nope, the one family in front of us was just done with no kids behind us, we got all the time we wanted with Santa. They sat down for a long time and just had a chat with the big guy. They fessed up they fight sometimes, but were trying to be good. Santa asked them to try really hard to be good. They both told him what they wanted - Braydon the lego Millennium Falcon set and Kaylee and microphone with a stand and a small speaker.

I guess when I wasn't listening, Braydon told Santa that there was a new kid around that he would have to bring presents for this year. You see, our friends Kevan and Kelly had a little baby boy Friday night, and Braydon wanted to make sure that Declan's first Christmas was a good one. Full of kindness that kid, makes me proud.

Now not that seeing Santa isn't a big enough deal, there was one more big thing in store for Kaylee. We've been talking for a few months about getting our ears pierced and after she knew a friend got them yesterday, I think she got extra brave and decided today was the day. After picking out some cute pink earrings, it happened. A few tears, but so brave. And now just a little extra cuter (if that's even possible!)

Back home, we took the dog out for a walk, and the kids were kind enough to let me take a few photos. They seem so grown up this fall. Can't say I'm a fan of that.

Then since we were on a roll, we finished up the gingerbread train to wrap up a good day of Christmas cheer.