Christmas with Friends

Every year, our women's group from church hosts a Christmas party. This year we held the event at our church instead of going to a restaurant. It was alot more work for the planning committee, but it was so much more festive and cozy to be able to be "chez nous" and to enjoy the sweeter ambiance of the yulelog burning in the fireplace! We always have a craft sale and auction, so these were some of the items displayed beautifully on the picnic tables outside. We were so thankful that the weather was cool, but clear for that festive evening.

We started the evening with hot drinks: coffee and tea, wassail, cider, and hot chocolate. And of course, previous to our gathering, we had visited several homes to see their lovely Christmas decor!

Every year the committee decides on a small keepsake to remind us of the event that year. The keepsake for this year was a beautiful Christmas bracelet with an angel charm. Each woman was given a small packet of materials and then instructed how to assemble the bracelet. The bracelet is such a pretty reminder of our special evening together.

So fun to reunite with old friends.

We played a hilarious game. Each woman was given 4 tiny balloons and a pair of panty hose per team. (Four people on a team). We were told to blow up the balloons...

then put them into the legs of the panty hose...

to create a pair of "antlers"...

and the first team that finished and sported the "festive" headgear, and sang "Rudolf the Red-nosed reindeer"...

would have the opportunity to choose their exchange gifts first! Our team won first prize, but everyone had so much fun playing this game together. Laughter is certainly good for the soul!!!

Following a delicious supper, we held our annual auction. The funds we raise are for support of our mission projects, and we were again very successful in meeting our goals, PTL!

It was such a fun evening and a time once again of building great memories with friends! Thanks ladies, for all your hard work. It was a wonderful party!

Birthdays and more....

 After spending a day at Knott's Berry farm, M&B came to our house for supper and a "pre-birthday" celebration about ten days ago. Even though the girls were tired from a long day of fun and excitement, their dad had lots of help blowing out the candles on his chocolate cake!

 (She was practicing her "cheese" smile)

 (and big sister was practicing her "I love eating chocolate" smile)

 This past weekend, we went to visit J&K. It was fun to spend time alone with little boy, while big brother took a long nap. This little guy is starting to talk now and had so many new things to show us!

 Soon big brother woke up, and brought his great imagination into the living room! He and daddy were pretending that they were a train...chugging and whistles and all!

 Pretty soon, he came into the kitchen and announced to his mom that he needed a "horn" for his train (so that's the "horn" on his hat!) But pretty soon daddy decided that it could also serve as a Rhino horn, and started to chase him around the room!

 Of course, there were also moments of more quiet playtime...

 At one point, we heard some noise in the pantry and found this little guy digging in the snack box. (Pure innocence, huh?)

We had such a lovely time together! Now we look forward to the weekend and all the joy that these precious little ones will bring to our Christmas celebration!



In the Christmas mood...

I have been so privileged thru the years to have worked with some wonderful people. I worked with this group of friends for 3 years. About 1 1/2 years ago, we were split up and three of us now work in one building, and the other three work down the street. Because of conflicting schedules, we rarely have the time to go out to lunch together (like we did in the past). But last week, we met together at our favorite Vietnamese restaurant and enjoyed catching up on each others' lives. Although very short, the time together was very sweet!

 Our department at work has a yearly contest of "decorating the door." This year we chose a gingerbread house theme.

 Thanks to the creative genius of my friend Cindy, (and her Cricut machine!) our door turned out really cute! The hard work was worth all of the fun comments from our patients and fellow-workers.

 Our organization hosts a Christmas dinner for all of the staff members. This year was no exception; the food was delicious and the decor (Winter Wonderland) was awesome.

Cindy and I, in the Atrium, before we returned to work.

 Around the house, reminders of Christmas are everywhere. Putting up the different decorations bring back memories of people and places we've lived...like our friend in Mayville who made this creche for us...

...and another friend who quilted this wall hanging

 ...and friends in Fergus who gave me these snowpeople

and there is this creche from Africa that brings back years of Christmases spent there...

...and the Advent wreath that my grandfather made for us, over thirty years ago. We are blessed with so many memories and so many friends all over the world. This time of year is such a great time to thank God for all those special people that have touched our lives in so many ways.

 Last weekend I invited a couple girls over to do some baking.

 We had such a fun time! Laughing, and visiting, and sampling the treats...

 I even taught them how to make Krum Kake! They thought it was great fun!

This was the result of our labor...five hours later! It is indeed, "the most wonderful time of the year!" 

Thankful for-little boys...

Last weekend we had a visit from our little boys (and their parents, too!) Watching them play with the tractors, cars and trucks...

 ...brings back memories of when our boys were little. It is so fun to have the little boys around! They are learning to play together so well.

 B checking out the Lego people

 Building "garages" and tunnels for the vehicles to drive thu

 It is so amazing to think that only 4 years ago at this time, we were waiting for this big guy to be born!

 We did a bit of "farming" while the boys were here. B helped Grampa pick persimmons...

 and then insisted on carrying the pail.

 there was also some watering to do...

 in fact, plenty of watering to do! We had such good helper boys!

 But after all that hard work, we needed a break, so took some time out for swinging,

 relaxing....

 a little photo op...

 then off to Grampa's park (as J calls it) to play.

J worked so hard that he had to take a brief nap in Andy's hammock. 

 Then they were off and running, and climbing, and just enjoying being little boys!

 And this is my favorite! Aren't they just the cutest little guys in the world???

 By this time, we knew that we needed a snack, so off to the kitchen we went...

 ...and everyone found a little chair to sit on!

 J was very interested in my spoon collection, and he and Duke listened patiently to the stories behind many of the spoons.

 Then we checked out the Christmas tree. There was such extremely joyful laughter when the lights automatically turned on at 5PM! I will never cease to marvel at the wonder of children at Christmas...

 We made one small attempt at a family pic, but little boy was losing patience with all of us!

Soon it was time for PJ's and getting things packed away for the trip back home. But first daddy had to show his son some of the pictures of himself when he was "just a little boy like you." 

We had such a wonderful time together and are so very thankful for the blessing of our little boys!