Merry Christmas

Well this will be a long post as of course Christmas was busy and I want to write all the gifts down so I can remember who got what.

Our Christmas Eve was quiet in the morning and part of the afternoon. We went to Jamie's parents for our usual family Christmas photos, dinner and then Christmas Eve service. We tried to get some pictures of just us before we left but it didn't work so well trying to set up the camera. We did our family photos with all of us together (extended family) . After that the kids opened one present from Gammie and Pompa. They got some pool cue's of their own (cut to size). We then had sandwiches for dinner and then went to Jamie's parents church in Niagara Falls. It's a small church they are pastoring right now and this was the first time we had been there. Only 10 people from the church showed up as most of the rest were with their families. It was just pre-recorded music. The kids had trouble sitting still but Jamie's dad had them work puppets as part of one of the songs. They loved that (Micah was quite the actor falling down on stage). We had to take them downstairs after a while because they were bored. My mom came to the service too so that was nice (she doesn't really come to church at all). We went home right after the service in hopes that the kids would fall asleep in the car but no such luck. They didn't get to bed until 9 o'clock.

Christmas morning the kids got up around 7:40 am and we quickly headed off to Jamie's parents place again. We got there at 8:40 or so and we had our usual of croissants for breakfast. This time it was Jamie and the Philsberry croissant traditions. Apparently, Jamie sister said it was okay that we had real croissants not the Philsberry ones (she is the traditionalist) but Jamie cared this time so he got some on Christmas Eve when he picked up the croissants from the bakery.

My mom came in the morning this time (she usually comes just a bit before dinner) and she got to experience the full Verrier opening presents. We did the opening presents a bit different this year as the kids were just too excited. They finally were able to open their presents at around 10 o'clock when my mom got there and so we did the stockings first, one at a time and then the kids got to open their presents.

Kendra got lots of princess stuff since she is really into that stuff right now. Jamie's mom took lots of dance costumes that she found at Goodwill stores and altered them for her to wear (some were too big). She loved them all. She also got lots of bracelets, rings, and shoes to dress up with from Auntie. Auntie also got her a Grovvy Doll with clothes and tent. Gammie and Pompa got her a Dora bug catching kit (Kendra just loves bugs of any kind so that was perfect). My mom got her a Diego hockey set (Micah likes it too).

Micah got a hockey set (the ones you move the guys back and forth with the stick) from Gammie and Pompa. My mom got him Hungry, Hungry Hippos which is the only thing he really asked for. She also got him some lego type set to make Cars and robots with. Auntie Avie got him a Skateboard and some Spiderman Walkie Talkie's.

We saved telling them about the Walt Disney World vacation until the end. We gave them their presents and had them watch the Walt Disney Christmas Parade on TV. They then opened their presents so they could guess. We ended up taking some Disney items and summer clothes and put them into a suitcase. We figured that Micah would get that we were going on a trip but we were sure he understood there was a special place that all the characters come from (so I think he gets it now that he watched the Christmas Parade for a little bit.) Kendra still doesn't really know what's going on but I expected that. She got a new princess dress that we found at Zellers (they were closing in Aldershot). It says Make a Wish with Minnie Mouse on it. I couldn't pass it up for $4. She also got a Tinkerbell hat (all her hats are too small) and that was only $1.40. So they didn't get much from us other than the trip we are taking at the end of January, it should be lots of fun.

After the kids were done the adults opened their presents. This year one person opened all their presents and then we moved on to the next person. I got a matte for under my chair (went shopping with my mom for that so no surprise) and she is also paying for our kitchen cabinet lights to get finished, a Shark steam cleaner from Jamie's parents (I didn't ask for it but had seen it), a remote button for the shutter on my Canon camera from Avie. I also got a Panasonic FZ 18 camera from Jamie. I thought it would be a good idea to have a smaller camera to take on trips and have a camera that can take video's too. I also got $100 from Jamie's parents.

I gave Jamie a new desk (not sure if he is too thrilled but he needed it and wouldn't get himself one). Jamie got money too (he's very hard to buy for).

We got Jamie's mom a digital photo frame. Apparently, that was one of two things that she wanted but didn't get for herself (they buy presents for themselves and wrap them up). Jamie's dad asked for an automatic tie rotating rack and so that is what he got from us. Avie got lots of blessings with a Tim's gift certificate and money (we forgot about the Tim's one). Unfortunately, Jamie is cruel and wrapped the money up with a jar of oatmeal. Poor girl!! It seems to be a tradtition of cruelty though.

We rested for a little bit and helped in preparing dinner (Jamie's mom hurt his leg so we all had to help out). My mom went home and got my Grandma for dinner too. The kids were having a blast playing with their new toys.

We ate around 5:30 and it was yummy. It was such a blessing to have a break from having Christmas at my house. We cleaned up and finally got the kids and the stuff headed for hom around 7:30 pm. It was a long day but we all enjoyed it.

I hope you all had a great Christmas with your family remembering how Jesus came to this world to save us from our sins as the little baby who was called Emmanuel.