Christmas 2013 Recap

Scott is not a big planner... He would love to have no plans and go with whatever is happening last minute.  Well, those of you who know me well, know that if it was up to me, I would have the year planned out at the beginning of January and stick to it. lol So, for Christmas, I tried to let Scott have his way as much as possible... And then we had things to plan around suddenly. Sorry Scott.

We had his two finals that he was giving (which the school decides the dates of), we had a paediatrician appointment for the little one, I had a dentist appointment and then another, etc.  So, we made a tentative plan to visit in Lethbridge with both sides of the family around the tests and other appointments, which we would have to come back to Calgary for.  On my side of the family we would see everyone but Rachel or Sister Thompson on her mission over in the maritimes.  On Scott's side we would see Jim and Jen and his parents.  His sister lives in the states and his oldest brother lives in Edmonton and wouldn't be coming down.  Well, the weekend that we were having the Thompson get together, there was also a change of plans and Scott's oldest brother was going to be able to be in Calgary.  So, both his brothers and his parents came to our place for a big get together on the Saturday and then on Sunday it was down to Lethbridge for the Thompson get together.  It was super fun to see all the family and visit.  The Edmonton kids are getting so big since we have seen them last and it was hard for me to differentiate between the second and third youngest because of this.  I think I called Eva Isabelle a few times and vise verse.  Sorry girls, hopefully I'll have it down next time.

The next day we were down in Lethbridge for the Thompson get together.  We had a $5 gift exchange which was funny as usual.  We ate at Crystal's and went to her and Elizabeth's church where both of them were in the cantata and Pete conducted.  They did a great job!  I was holding Magdalen on the end of the bench and Brosie, Elizabeth's daughter was going from person to person along our bench.  She came down past me and I didn't think anything of it until she was running up the stairs to the choir seats to where her mom was singing at that moment... oops.  Don't know who had been in charge of her but I was definitely the last person on the bench and the one to have stopped her from leaving.  I had thought she was going to sit with her sisters and grandparents who were sitting on the bench in front of us.  I quickly took of my four inch heels and tossed the baby to Scott and went up to grab her.  Then Grammie and I did a switch at the door and she was out in the hall screaming with Grammie and I was back in my bench in my shoes.  Good times!  Pete's daughters were here for Christmas as was Seth so it was a full house at Crystal's... a full house of sickies. lol  My mother and brother were sick and by the time Christmas ended, each family had some part of it.  And H1N1 is going around again (Not in our family yet that I know of)!  Yay. lol  We didn't seem to catch that though just a cold that has lasted forever especially for the babes who has not slept well at all the last few days.  I digress.

 My mom sent me a outfit that I had worn as a baby and I put it on Magdalen.  I wore this at nine months or older because in the picture of me, I am walking by myself, which was at nine months.  Here is little Maudie at nine months and she is too big for the outfit. lol Already taller than Momma.

After that and through it all, we were able to have down time and Scott's parents house with them.  It is nice to hang out with them and relax at their place. We also went to the ward party where Madgalen got her first picture with Santa.  I wasn't going to do it at the mall because I feel like it is a waste of money and it isn't what I feel Christmas is about... But a free picture is fine.  So, here it is...

We were able to go on two dates with them babysitting over Christmas.  One in Coaldale where we went to an East Indian restaurant in Coaldale and the second up here in Calgary where we went to the second Hobbit.  Thanks so much, guys!!  

 I got this for Maudie in Lethbridge... Think it's pretty cute!

On Christmas eve day we drove back to Calgary with Scott's parents to be at our place for Christmas.  We woke up Christmas morning and talked with Diane and then with Jim and Jen on facetime and then opened our presents.  It was nice to see that Scott liked his sweaters!  I knew he would be happy with the antenna I got him because it was what he was thinking of getting himself so Christmas day he and Ian were setting that up and he hasn't complained about TV since!  Thanks for the help, Ian!  This was Maudie's first Christmas and it was fun to see her get excited about toys- as excited as she can- hyperventilating-laughing.  But she still didn't really get it.  It was fun to watch Huck open presents and then we would give them to her.  That was what I think she liked the most because she loves to play with his toys and this probably seemed like we were giving her his toys because he would play with them first, ie open them and then she would get them.

 After that we got to talk with Dave on facetime and then headed out to Strathmore to hang out with Jim and Jen and clan.  We had decided to do a Christmas gift exchange of date ideas which were around $35 each.  It was fun to see the ideas that people had come up with!  Scott and I ended up with  picnic date and two movie dates!  Now all we need to do is get Magdalen to sleep for someone other than Grandma so that we can go on a date... ;)

This cute hat was from our good friend.  So cute!!

 

It was a great Christmas and we had a blast visiting with family and feeling of the love of the season.  The funny thing that I realized this year is that it doesn't feel like Christmas to me until I can smell the real tree in the house.  I guess that is from years of growing up with a real tree.  And that means that I have to find ways to keep them lasting longer.  Because we were everywhere this year, it didn't get watered as much as it should and it was one try twig when we took it outside.  There are needles everywhere in the house, even places that I don't remember the tree ever being, like the bedrooms. lol

Here is the little tike on one of our drives to or from Lethbridge.

I hope you all enjoyed your Christmas and I hope that you missionary parents were able to see your son or daughter like my parents were with my sister.  Family is the best and Christmas time gives us a chance to visit with them.  I was glad we had so much time to visit this year, we didn't have as much time last year because I was working and we won't again in 2014 for the same reason.

So grateful for this time of year, for the life of Christ that we celebrate at this Christmas season.  Love you all!