Christmas 2012

Well, another wonderful Christmas has come and gone.  We celebrated the holiday with all of the same traditions we do every year and this time we were lucky to have lots of family come from far away to visit us and we didn't have to go anywhere (yay!).

A few days before Christmas, my brother David and his wife Laura arrived from Ottawa.  They love to go swing dancing so they tracked down a swing dance club on Whyte Ave and invited my mom and her boyfriend Sandy to go dancing with them.  I love to watch swing dancing so I went along too.  Jess nobly offered to accompany me but I knew he wouldn't dance and wouldn't enjoy it so he stayed home - but that means that I have no photos of the night - boo!  I ended up taking some lessons and actually did a lot of dancing.  It was so fun!

The night before Christmas Eve, we headed out to Spruce Grove to watch their outdoor live nativity pageant.  It was a cold night but we all bundled up to watch the re-enactment of Christ's birth together.

After the performance, we went into the warm gym and visited with each other while enjoying a nice cup of hot chocolate. 

On Christmas Eve, David & Laura, Mom & Sandy, Nana, Jill & Steve, and their 3 boys, all came over to our house. (Lilia and Jared were up from Taber but Lilia wasn't feeling well so they stayed in Spruce Grove that night)  Jill and I dressed the kids in costumes and they acted out the story of Christ's birth themselves.  A little less polished than the one in Spruce Grove but WAY more cute!

Our appreciative audience: 

Shae was the angel:

The Roman soldier bringing the decree from Caesar Augustus (and a wandering shepherd in the background)

 Mary and Joseph:

 The angel appears to the shepherds  (Connor was a shepherd too but you can't see him in this picture as he fell down on the ground, taking the assignment to act "sore afraid" quite seriously):

 The shepherds visit the baby Jesus (along with their sheep/dog Howie)

 The three kings present their gifts:

And yes, this king is wearing a belly dancing belt across his shoulder... 

 The whole cast:

 All the grandkids in their new pj's handsewn by Nana:

 After our guests went home, the kids opened their Christmas Eve gift from me: bathrobes for the younger three and slippers for Shae.

Christmas morning, the younger three wait eagerly to come downstairs (they always have to wait for Shae to come upstairs from her basement bedroom and for Jess to set up the lighting for pictures)

Maira wrote stories for each family member - this is Connor reading a story all about him.

Connor received a gemstone kit, where he had to chisel out gemstones from a chunk of sandstone.

Assembling all the Playmobil sets:

That afternoon, we went out to Spruce Grove for a Christmas dinner with all the family.

After eating, Connor and Lilia bonded over a common interest in Star Wars video games.

The grown-ups played some board games.

 And of course, we had to get some group photos before everyone went home.  Here is Mom with all her grandkids:

And here's Nana in the picture as well: 

It's been a while since all four kids have been together so here we are with Mom:

And here's one more, with spouses as well:

Merry Christmas!