Playing Catchup - Part 2

I got our greeting cards out early in 2006 -- and when I say "early", I mean not after the 25th. So, yay me!
In the past, I've really enjoyed preparing and sending out the cards complete with update letter, and you, our friends, have stated how much you enjoy reading them. But now that I have this blog, I'm having second thoughts about continuing that tradition. You all already get updates from me via this forum, complete with pictures! And we have so many friends we mail to each year, I'm positive that we're cutting down a couple of acres of forest.
So, in the interest of trees and my sanity during the holiday season, I will no longer send out update letters. You'll still get cards with a picture of my super-cute family though. But if you want to know what we're up to, just come to the blog... I plan to update at least once a week, even more, unless of course my husband and/or son bring home yet another illness to share.

Okay, back to my catch up from yesterday (see Playing Catchup - Part 1). As soon as my cards were in the mail, I started to feel that the season had started. We baked cookies and made rumballs. We also enjoyed the company of our friends during the various parties. The two parties of note were those of our very dear friends -- the annual Harms party on the 16th and the return of the Nuttall Christmas Party on the 23rd. I wish I had pictures of those events, but our camera was starting to act weird; besides, I went a little crazy on the nog at the Harms' and overate at the Nuttalls' -- not something I'd like captured for my great-grandkids to see... like many of the other activities with this particular group of friends. ;)

On Christmas Eve, the kids baked gingerbread cookies for Santa and set them out with half a glass of chocolate milk (Santa's cutting down on dairy). We also set out an apple for all the reindeer to share (yes, just one apple for all eight -- it's not good to run and fly on a full tummy!). They opened one present each (pajamas -- an idea I got from my girlfriends and their own traditions), and for their bedtime story, we read "Twas the Night Before Christmas".

Christmas Morning could've been better. Hubby was showing signs of being really sick. So, he parked his cute sick self on the couch and manned the remote control for the video camera to record his kids go nuts with their new loot. Santa was generous, to all of us. But the favourite presents were a big red robe (me), dvds of Odyssey5 (hubby), a Playmobil dollhouse (Miranda), and a video game called Animal Crossing (Luc). Actually, we all like Animal Crossing. We all visit the fictional town of "wETIM" almost every day. It got particularly exciting when our 2-year-old decided to chop down all the pear trees we planted. Luc wept. I replanted. Miranda will never have another axe again.
Since only one person can play at a time, the kids have learned how to take turns. And they've learned how to help each other, which is nice.

Anyway, I digress. The hubby managed to pull himself together enough to come with us to Christmas Dinner at his brother Les's house that evening. Our sis-in-law Carol's sister makes the turkey every year, and it's really good! We're the traditional bringers of green salad and the balsamic vinaigrette everyone seems to enjoy.


We always have so much fun at these family dinners. Luc and Miranda get to spend time with Gramma and cousins Aylen and Aaron. And we, alleged adults, get a chance to chat it up with hubby's family and Carol's family. We host the family Easter and Thanksgiving celebrations, so this is a nice little change of pace.

Well, that's it for our Christmas festivities. The next day, our camera wouldn't work. I'm just glad it gave us Christmas. So, until we get another camera (which will hopefully be soon), you'll just get my ramblings. I'll try not to be boring. I swear.