Christmas at our house

There are broken and new things around here...

Broke the pyjamas as gifts on Christmas Eve 

(good thing because they were given lots of pjs from families the next day)

Made two (or three) new traditions this year.

Number one, the whole family will buy a significant ornament every year to celebrate our Saviour's birth.

We bought this one this year.

Our tree this year

special ornament from two years ago

I see me and hubby

special ornament last year

Number two (and three), we will recite the Christmas Story on the eve of Christmas, 

and sing Christmas carols after.
All before opening presents.

Our stockings-for-Christmas-morning tradition was kept.

Goldfish - always a hit!

Mario calendar (free from Nintendo!)

My sister and my funny girl!

Hats for everybody..and hubby's awesome new winter coat!

"Octopus" Prime for Jethro

This year's annual Christmas Day's family gathering was held at our house.

The house was filled with goodies

and with things that will continually remind us the reason for Christmas.

We decided to repeat the Christmas Story and carol-singing.

Wished I made copies of the song before the guests arrived.

Jakob did a great job with his violin.

I hope and pray that he can use this talent to glorify God even more.

And because I am sure our families are waiting for the pictures…

Here they are…

Christmas 2010

We are so thankful for the realizations that we have reached while reflecting on the birth of our Saviour.

It is not so much the gifts - though we have been showered with many.

Not so much the food - though we have more than enough food and leftovers that could last us for another week.

Not so much the company - though we had a great time with friends and family gatherings.

It is the significance, the importance, the greatness of God's gift.

It is the giving of His Son to us.

He came and lived so he could die and save us from our sins.

So great a gift.

Only God can give.

So to all of you, I hope you had a wonderful Christmas.

And that we may all never forget the true meaning of Christmas.

Let us celebrate Him, not just on Christmas Day, but everyday.

His Name

"For unto us a child is born,
unto us a son is given:
and the government shall be upon his shoulder:
and his name shall be called
Wonderful,
Counsellor,
The mighty God,
The everlasting Father,
The Prince of Peace."

Isaiah 9:6

Merry Christmas to all!

He is the reason for the season!

The Fir 2010

It's our fifth year of our annual Christmas-Tree-cutting tradition
and we were a week late.

We always go tree-cutting on the last Saturday of November…

but not this year.

It was so cold last Saturday

and NO snow just like last year
so we decided to wait one more week

and I am guessing hubby was too tired from his trip to Ottawa.

For the tree-cutting this year, we were surprised to explore a new area of the tree farm.  

We have been going to Horton's Magic Tree Farm for three years now

and this is the first time we were taken here.

I wonder if they were saving this area for December visitors

and not when there are only a few of us on a November weekend.

It is such a nice area.  

Large lots full of trees.

Nice bonfire area to warm us up while waiting for the tractor ride.

Not to mention a much longer tractor ride with great scenery.

I am now debating if we should always go on the first Saturday of December 

instead of the usual November weekend.

The Nutcracker March

My kids have been enjoying the classical music lately.

They have a Leap Pad cartridge with lots of classical composers and their music, 

and they love listening to it…all the time.

At home or in the car, they would always request for the classical music to be played.

We bought a Christmas Classical music cd last year at Wal-Mart

and it has been the kids' favourite Christmas cd.

Hubby and I are amazed at how our kids enjoy classical music.

Jakob likes it especially with his piano and violin.

Beata loves to hear them either from the cd or from his brother practicing his music lessons.

Jethro loves it, and can identify The Sugar Plum Fairy from the cd 

(and that's only after hearing it twice!)

One of his favourites is The Nutcracker March.

Though he can't seem to put together the right name.

He'll either say..

March of the Crackernut…or

Nut of the Cracker March…or even worse

Nut of the March.

He'll soon get it.  

If he can't say the right name, I'm quite sure he can hum it for you!

Christmas Photo Outtakes 2010

We all know my children have the wiggle worm.

Can't sit still, can't stay quiet.

Always funny, always animated.

It's all shown here in their 2010 Christmas photo outtakes.

click photo to enlarge
then click again to supersize!

Though I think it would be nice to put one of these in our Christmas card

because it is SO them!

Happy Birthday, Jesus!

You'll get your own...I promise!

"Can we help you decorate our tree, mommy?"

"No, thank you.  This is my tree.  I'll get you your own tree, I promise."

I know, I'm a horrible mommy.  But I want to decorate my tree.  It's like a Christmas project for me.  I felt bad too for not letting them help that's why I promised to get them one.

My kids have been good waiting for me to get them their own tree.  I was going to buy it from the thrift store but it seems that it has all been taken.  I tried the dollar store but they only have a small six-inch tabletop tree.  I want something taller and bigger than that for them.

And praise the Lord, I found one at Zellers for just 60% of the original price.  And since I have a store credit of $18 there, I did not spent one dime.  But, I have to buy lights.  I found one for $4.00 which is still very cheap for a 100-tip lights.

But with three kids and one small tree, a good 10 minutes (or less) is what it took for them to decorate it. 

But at least they have one their own tree with an angel on top!

The case of the panicking mommy

Here I am at one in the morning, trying to figure out what to do with the few photos that I have .  I am deciding on what to include in our Christmas cards that we send our loved ones overseas. 

It's my first year with my dlsr and I only have a few decent photos to edit, to choose from.

And it's only two more weeks before Christmas. And I only have this week to mail my cards for them to get to the hands of my beloved families.

I. Am. Panicking.

I. Want. To. Cry.

I have been so behind in everything on my "to do"since the start of November. I've edited a few photos but I am not satisfied with any of them. I am going to stop now.

Maybe I can get maybe a few more nice ones in the next couple of days.  That will give me time to edit and mail them so it can arrive at least before the new year.

So, goodnight y'all...

I mean, good morning!

It's here!

December is here and the days seem to be passing quickly...maybe because we are always busy any given day in December before Christmas (okay, and the last week of November for this blog's sake).

Jakob played goalie in his hockey team, and made twelve saves and $10.

Raymond promised to give him a dollar for every save less the score on him. He had twelve saves, four goals on him.
Yes, you're math is right. Eight is the answer but Raymond was pleased with Jakob's performance that he decided to give him $10 instead.

I want to be a goalie, too!

 

We got our fresh tree on the last Saturday of November as usual.  But there was NO SNOW!  It feels weird going to a tree farm, choosing a tree with no snow on the ground -- just mud.  On the other hand, it was an advantage too because we were able to take our time choosing the perfect tree.

And no gingerbread cookie (apparently, the lady who supplies the cookie did not make them this year so no cookies in the munch house at the farm). 

It turned out that this tree is about the same age as Jakob.

And it took me a week to decorate that perfect tree.  Talk about procrastination.

Raymond turned 22 for the eleventh time that day too. 

On December 2, Jakob played violin in church for the second time. 

Can you see the intense concentration?

They all did great!

Time really passes quickly.

Nobody can deny it.

Christmas is here, and I'm excited.

It's my favourite time of the year!

Winter is here as well. 

Not too excited about that!

We got our first snow storm today :(