Christmas 2009

Christmas this year was very hard on us, as it was the first one without Mum.  He absence was felt fully throughout the festivities, but she was never far from our thoughts.  Eric and I kept things are "normal" as possible for the kids. Bekah, Madison and I went to Church. Madison and I were singing in the choir at the "chaos" service (family service).  I started helping out this year with the Jr. Youth Choir and love every minute of it.  I sent the girls home to Eric while I stayed and helped the adult choir in the alto section for the 8 pm service.  We I got home, we gave the kids their Christmas Eve Jammies, put cookies and milk out for Santa and tucked them in for the night. 

Bekah and I ready to go to church

Once the kids were all tucked in and finally asleep, Eric and I went to town on the gift wrapping.  We have always stayed up late on Christmas Eve to wrap.  I think we finally cleaned up and went to bed just after 3 am.  This is how the living room looked before the kids woke up.

At 7 am sharp I was awoken by the sound of Liz, Megan and Dad in the house. The kids had started to stir but hadn't woken Eric and I up yet.  4 hours of sleep was barely enough but it was time to start the day.

This picture is of Liz opening her 70th Anniversary special editon The Wizard of Oz collectors editon.

Dad was here taking full part, watching the kids open their gifts and taking pictures.  It turned out to be really great morning.  There were some tears with certain gifts, but we made it through.

We decided this year that we were not going to be taking the kids and running all over with them.  Everyone who wanted to see us was welcome to come to our house. The kids stayed in their new jammies all day, and played with their new toys.  Eric and I cooked the turkey for the first time at our house :) It turned out wonderfully.  We had a few mishaps with the gravy but all was saved and a great feast was had.

Last year mum ordered a crisco christmas hamper, and in one of the packages she bought was a package of Turtles Chocolates (her favourite) Liz brought them over and after dinner we all toasted mum with a turtle in hand!  A very fitting end to dinner!

The rest of the holidays will be spent spending time with Family and friends.