Christmas Vacation Update

It's been awhile, so here goes a long post...=)

Christmas break began on the day before Christmas Eve when Rob was able to come home early (We always love it when Daddy is home early! What mom isn't counting the minutes until her beloved husband walks through the door?). Anyway, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were filled with visiting family members, opening gifts and going to church. We enjoyed a fabulous lunch at Grandma "Gi-gi's" and were blessed to have some family members join us for church in the evening. All the kids dress in their jammies for the service. It's really cute! =)

On Christmas Morning, I woke up early to make my husband homemade cinnamon buns. Every year, it's a guess as to whether or not they're going to turn out, depending on the recipe I use. The first year I made them, they were fantastic, but for the past two years, they've lacked in the rising department. I actually got teary-eyed over them this year (part pregnancy, part frustration) because they didn't turn out they way I wanted. They take a lot of work and patience, so when they don't turn out, it's a bummer. My mother-in-law has an amazing recipe that doesn't call for any rising time, but I couldn't find that recipe this year (hint, hint...Judy, I need another copy...smile!). My frosting was killer though! It's a homemade cream cheese frosting. There's always next year. =)

Opening gifts at our house
The kids had a blast opening gifts and we sang "Happy Birthday To Jesus" before we began and talked about the manners we need to have while opening gifts...not to be selfish, etc. Hard for a three-year-old to be patient when there's lots of pretty packages under the tree waiting to be opened, but she did a pretty good job and enjoyed the giving part. We then went up to my parents' house and had brunch, opened gifts, took naps, Dad and I took a stroll around his garden (mine doesn't even compare!), prepared Christmas dinner and then greeted more family for dinner and gifts. We got home at a reasonable hour and went straight to bed. What a blessing it was to see family and the ones we love.

Avonle and her cousin Grace with their new roller skates


Dad's garden

The past few days, we've been busy organizing bedrooms/toys, etc. I've been taking toys that they don't play with and making piles to take to the thrift store. I've also been "expanding" due to the pregnancy , so I traded out my non-maternity clothing for maternity clothes in my dresser and closet. My sweet friend Tracey gave me a huge load of her old maternity clothes (I had given the majority away) and it was nice to try on new tops and shorts instead of spending oodles on new clothes I'll only wear for a few months. Thanks Tracey if you're reading this!



Rob was busy today tearing up our old backyard fence and putting up a new one. It was definately due (22 years old!). The sides are done, but we'll be tackling the back another day. He's pretty sore and tired. The kids and I just hung out at the house observing today. It was beautiful outside this afternoon, so we swam in the paddling pool, ate popsicles, planted some beans and peppers in the garden and started to clean off and reorganize the back porch.


Cake Avonlea and I made for Sunday School's birthday party for Jesus

All ready for Jesus' birthday party