Tis the Season

Christmas merriment abounds at our house.

  We have been enjoying the season since our tree went up the last week of November. I LOVE CHRISTMAS!!!!  I love the decorations, the cards, the baking, the gift giving, people's extra kindness and the opportunity to think about Jesus Christ more. 

Our blog has slipped to the way side a little as we've made a point to honour family traditions and enjoy family activities, only available during Christmas. So just a few highlights of some of the things we've been doing...oh how I love the season.

 

Christmas Parade

 (a little friend who got to ride on the float recognized us when we were calling his name

 - love his face)

We found a spot to back into and then opened up the trunk so we could all sit together with blankets.  Last year I left the vehicle running because it was so darn cold, this year it was slightly warmer out thank goodness.  We were so touched that a few people around us ran back to share some of their candy that passing floats were giving out...thoughtful people.  The girls nibbled on a bit but we elected to save the rest for our gingerbread houses.

 

 Christmas Market

 We had heard that there was a local Christmas market and a tree display so the Bird ladies and us tag teamed to check it out.  My personal favourite was a tree decorated with a 1,000 paper cranes...it was beautiful!!!

 

 

 

Christmas Lights

We love that our Mr. P is a dude who is excited, well maybe not excited BUT happy to help get our Christmas lights up outside.  The girls had a blast playing in the snow. We rarely go play outside - sad but true! It was a fun little afternoon spent as a family putting up lights.

oh our little angels

 

Christmas Baking YUMMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Baking with Gma Hinko is one of my most favourite traditions.  She has skills in the kitchen and I appreciate that each year she shares them.  We figured that this was our 7th year baking together.  Fun and such a treasured tradition!!

 

 

Alyson, Leslie and the littles also helped out.  Alyson organized and purchased supplies for everyone and took the reigns this year...very much appreciated.  It is such fun to be together, baking it up in the kitchen.

 

 

Acting out the Nativity

My mom has slowly accumulated costumes so we can have our family act out the Nativity. This has been something I have really looked forward to! I had intended to start the month of December off by having everyone over but a big snowstorm made us postpone it.  Oddly the night we had re-scheduled with everyone snow fell heavily again, roads were really bad we heard so half our family didn't make it out to Fort Saskatchewan. Next year, next year!  We had a lovely evening with those who could come.  Gramma and Grandpa Hudkins narrated which was so special.  Amelia had asked to be Mary and was so tender and focused, she sat so still behind the manger (baby cradle) with her hands clasped listening intently to the narration.  Even thinking about her demeanour pierces my heart, it was beautiful.

 

(sad that this photo is a little out of focus)

 (Stella thought our 'manger' was a fun bed and just had to try it out. Neely was not into playing 'Baby Jesus' and crawled away every time we brought her near.)

2014 Nativity Cast

 

Just a long winded highlight of the festivities we've been participating in.  I LOVE LOVE LOVE all of the special things that happen at Christmas!!!  The traditions and decorations make me smile just thinking about them.  Everyday we've been reading a few scriptures about the Savior's life, sometimes we have pictures.  It is  awesome to me that our girls are excited to do this each day!

 

Merry Christmas ~ Mrs. P