I've just had a chance to look through our pictures from our first Northern Christmas.
I tend to take fewer pictures on Christmas morning...
I like to live it up live.
But, between Eli and I we captured the morning quite well.
But, first, I'll back up to Christmas Eve.
I had recently moved the snowman nativity set up to higher ground after a wise snowman unfortunately lost his nose.
It happens.
The Little People nativity set took its place on the side table.
By Christmas Eve night, Miss A ensured that everyone available was present to witness the birth of Jesus.
Firefighters, construction workers, office workers, zoo keepers...
Heck, even a pirate showed up.
Aargh...
At our church's family mass (held in the high school gym to accompany visiting families and the like), they had a beautiful nod to the Northern influence.
Miss G said,
"I thought Jesus was born in a manger.
I thought that a manger was a stable."
Accuracy is important to Miss G.
I told her how some people would have used a tent to help Mary and Joseph the night Jesus was born if he had been born near Yellowknife.
She said, "Yeah. But, they didn't. He was born in a manger."
The family mass was longer than what I am used to in the East, but the girls did well, considering that we ended up being almost an hour and a half past regular bedtime.
Miss A almost fell asleep snuggled with her Daddy.
Miss G munched on crackers.
That is why she looks like a chipmunk.
A new Yellowknifer, Meagan, joined us for Christmas mass, and got to join us back at our place for Nana's meat pies. Mmmm....
The next morning, the girls slept in.
Seriously.
8:30 am.
Eli and I were up and ready for them long before they walked down the hall.
Presents!
There was a letter from Santa beside the empty plate and glass
(that had, of course, cookies and milk, and extra cookies for the reindeer).
Miss G asked why we didn't leave cookies out for Jesus.
Or presents.
I told her that we are His kids and reminded her that love is a present, too.
She is very thoughtful about this whole thing.
Santa said he hoped that they loved their watches.
Miss A got a flower watch and Miss G got a butterfly watch.
And, they love them, and were oh-so-impressed that Santa knew what they wished for.
And, they are getting pretty good at telling time on an analogue face already!
Miss A is rolling up her sleeves her to admire her watch.
They dug into their stockings first.
Seriously, Mama?
Only one present at a time??
Gramma and Grampum slept over the night before, arriving after the girls were in bed, so they could spend Christmas morning with the girlies.
Nanny and Papa joined us on Skype, as they were with Unkie Bubba, Auntie Emily and Baby E in New Brunswick.
The girls brought over their gifts to the computer camera to share!
To say they were excited would be an understatement.
They were vibrating, and it was hard to get a non-blurry picture!
Seriously. Blurs.
And, with all the warm gear they got, they tried it all on!
Warm helmet for sledding.
Excitement continues with Ponyville!
"It's just like the one we loved at the store! Oh, Mama, you got it!"
They are just so appreciative.
The girls were so pleased to give their gifts, too.
But, I loved watching their reactions to their surprises. Check out this series:
What is it??
What is it???
Woa!
YES!
It's a dog that moves!
Miss G asked me what the dog's name was.
I told her that the dog's name is Cookie.
She said, "Hmm. I think I would like to change the dog's name."
I said, alright... what will the dog's name be?
"I think I will call the dog Cookie!"
Wow. Great idea!
Miss A was SO excited about the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse.
She had no idea she was getting it.
I don't think that she even knew it was a toy you could buy!
She played with it ALL DAY.
Nanny and Papa sent the girls Lite Brites, and Gramma helped Miss A make a boat.
By the middle of the day, normalcy returned, and the girls were back to playing and crafting.
They did put on a fashion show.
Our school mascot, Chip Chip, sent everyone in the family matching Jerseys (their names are on the backs!).
The adorable hats are Gramma's taste! How cute are they?
Daddy finished up the prime rib we had for Christmas supper.
It was delish!
Then, Miss G wanted to go for a spin on the snowmobile.
They just zip around close by on the snow covered roads.
Ready, set, GO!
Once warmed up again, we lit the candles for the birthday brownies.
... and sang Happy Birthday to Jesus.
2 comments:
So glad you had such a lovely Christmas!
XO Kel
The girls loved looking at this one. Julie was super excited that G got a "Cookie" too. She was bringing her "Cookie" over to the computer to show him his cousin puppy. Hahaha! -Monique
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