Christmas

Christmas is the best holiday ever.  No, it's not the gifts or food or parties.  It is the waiting, the anticipation of something wonderful happening: preparing my heart to receive Jesus in a greater way, filling the manger with straws representing kindness, seeing the empty spot where Jesus will be placed Christmas Eve....all the small traditions, I love them. It is a season rich with symbolism.  Christmas Day is just the icing on the cake!

Shannon and I decided a few years ago to not only celebrate Christmas Day, but the 12 days of Christmas following.  One factor may have been that there is such a let-down on the 26th that we couldn't just stop celebrating.  But the other reason was that Jesus' coming into the world should be celebrated in a great way.  So while everyone else is yanking down their trees and getting back to business-as-usual we are still baking cookies and having a grand ole time, even saving presents for this special time.  

I must share my favorite, favorite, favorite part of Christmas Day.  I lie in bed waiting for the kiddos to be up and about, not having to ever wait long!  I absolutely love lying in the dark, listening to the everyone try to contain their excitement as they peek at presents under the tree.  Having been forbidden before going to bed by Daddy to wake anyone, they really do their best to be quiet, but Shannon and I can hear everything they say.  It's the best!

Happy 12 Days of Christmas!!!

Night  skating ~

And chatting ~

And waiting to be pulled in the sled ~

Annika singing with the Cathedral children ~

"Which song did you like the BEST, Mom?"

Waiting for Mass to begin ~

Ahhhh, crackers and BUTTER ~

Uncle Ryan teaching the boys a new game ~

Annika simply cannot contain herself!

Guessing Advent Angels...Katherine thinks she knows hers ~

"Please, please, please let me inside, it's cold out here!"

Nickles thought  a trike was a wonderful present, til he unwrapped Gramma's ~

A bow & arrow!

Since she received a "Brave" doll from St. Nick Annika has been 

practicing her Scottish accent ~ 

 

A snowboard on which to try breaking every bone ~

Thanks, St. Nick, for the matching hats!

And the craziest of all ~ a real bow from Uncle Matt so the kiddos can hunt with Daddy ~

Christmas Day skating ~

I'm fwying!

A concentrated stop ~

A

nnika giving her cousin a ride ~

Hockey ~ Hockey ~ Hockey ~

Grandpa skating with the best of 'em ~

Waiting for the game to move her way ~

MERRY CHRISTMAS !