Christmas!

This year was special. For the first time we hosted Christmas in our new home and had my family join us. My parents came on the 23rd to help us prep for Christmas Eve with Heather, Roy, Kate, Lois & Jerry. We made Beef Bourginon and it was delicious. Christmas Day the kids woke up and found the candy cane trail that Santa left and we opened presents. It was really nice to have my parents here with us and John & Rachel, Heather & Roy and cousins Matt (12), Ryan ( 10), Kate (10) and Sam (8). Kids had fun playing with each other, playing Wii, a board game called headbandz, watching Elf and eating yummy food. My Mom made our Christmas Eve traditional meal so John could enjoy it too. Can't beat fried calamari, crab sauce, shrimp scampi, escarole etc. Lots of good food, wine and family. Only bummer was that Karl was sick with a nasty col but he was still a trooper and enjoyed himself as much as possible! Only Wish Nana, Papa, Aunty Helen, Aunty Tina and Connor and Daniel could have been here too. And of course we missed  Grandpa ( rest his soul, who passed away on Nov 30th at 95 year old) and Grandma, they were such a huge part of my childhood Christmas memory and will live on with me forever.

This year kids really wanted a Lalaloopsy costume and Fireman Sam costume. They shrieked when they got both of them, yay for Santa. Maeve also loved her tag reader with Brave book, Merida Doll, Pj's, DVD, clothes and American Girl doll Kit from Mimi & Poppi and the Salon Chair from Santa were a favorite too. Liam loved his Buzz Lightyear costumes, Power Ranger, Bogo Stick, Remote control car and air hockey table ( thank to Mimi & Poppi). Kids joint gift was a zip line from Auntie Heather & Uncle Roy and they both got stompeez that they have been asking to have for months.

I love my family!!