The Christmas & New Years Photo Dump

Happy New Year, my bloggy pals!

I did it again.  I went on holidays, with every intention of checking in once in a while… but it just didn’t happen.  It never happens. 

So here I am, in the first “real” week of January, wishing you all a fabulous start to 2014 and hoping you all enjoyed an amazing Christmas with family & friends!!

I think I can actually call this one of my best Christmases ever.  I had a fabulous two weeks of soaking up quality time with my family.  I think I can also call this the Christmas that I actually “grew up” – because on Christmas morning, it was two little rocks from my nephew Caden that meant the world to me.  I know.  Me, the perpetual five-year-old present-lover.  Getting all mushy over rocks.  Huh?!?!?!?!

So here’s the story…Caden inherited my Grandma’s rock collection after she passed away two years ago.  She kept rocks that she liked in a little dish on her sun porch, and after she died, Caden took possession of the rock dish.  A few weeks before Christmas, my sister said he started asking her for bags.  He wouldn’t tell her what he was up to other than he needed the bags to wrap Christmas presents.  She kept handing over old leftover loot bags from birthday parties to him, and wondering what he had up his sleeve. 

As it turns out, Caden had decided it would be nice for all of us to have some rocks from GG’s place.  So when we opened our “loot  bags” on Christmas morning and discovered his thoughtful gift to each of us, you can just imagine how magical – and emotional - it was! 

I think the part that got me was that an 8-year-old boy managed to “get” the true meaning of Christmas far better than I ever have.  He taught me a lesson with his thoughtfulness – and gave me one of the best presents I’ve ever received.

I really am 30 now, aren’t I?  Yeesh.

The past two weeks have been chock-full of fabulous moments and treasured memories… Just take a look…

We’ll start things off with Christmas Eve at Patti & Randy’s… always my favourite night of the year!!

With Nevie in her pretty Christmas dress

Caden singing with Uncle Garry  (this might have even been The Coconut Song!)

Neve cheering for Uncle Garry & Caden ;)

This little cutie was tuckered out and ready for Santa…

Christmas morning at Mom’s… Santa came!!

Danica with her “pink computer”

Caden & Danica had to put together a puzzle to find out what their “big” gift was from their mommy & daddy… a trip somewhere… they couldn’t figure it out lol!

Danica and Daddy getting ready to go out and play in the snow… I’m still amazed Chris managed to fit into my dad’s old snowmobile suit! haha!

My sister and her family left after noon on Christmas day to the Provosts’ for their Christmas dinner.  Chris’ parents invited Mom & I too, so we went to join them around dinner time.  It was so sweet of them to welcome us, and we had a great time & a fabulous taste of turkey dinner – it was so good!! :)

On Boxing Day, my brother and his family joined us for more presents and turkey dinner.  Here is Neve opening her stocking.

One of Danica’s favourite presents was her Princess dress & shoes… she pranced around like this a lot over the past few weeks.

Amanda & Nevie :)

Luke & I… neither of us had played guitar much over the past year, so it was fun to get the guitbox going again

Neve chased Danica around trying to get a hold of her “mossey” (her blanket) – I love the mischievousness here!! hee hee!!

Kara & Mom

Chris & Caden

Dinner time!!  It was delicious!!

…So good they couldn’t even stop chewing for a picture, apparently. ;)

Mom got us all tickets to the Sens game on December 30th for Christmas, so we all went out for dinner & to the game that night.  We had a blast!!  It was also a chance for us to celebrate Kara’s birthday, which was the next day on New Year’s Eve.  Best of all – the Sens beat Washington that night!  Woo hoo!!

Dan, Amanda, Caden & Luke

Caden & I at Montana’s before the game

For New Year’s Eve, we invited a few people in to Mom’s for snacks, drinks & games – here’s the birthday girl with Caden and his grandpa Eric

Donna & I

Caden promised he’d stay up with me til midnight, and he did!!!

New Year’s Day was a lot of lounging around, and playing more games!

We had cupcakes for Kara’s birthday

One last shot of the monkeys & I!

I think it’s safe to say I’m blessed to be surrounded by such great family & friends…the pictures say it all!

I still can’t believe it’s 2014 already!  The holidays fly by way too fast, but I did my best to savour every moment.  It was everything I could have hoped for …

And now, it’s on to The Next Step!  But more on that tomorrow… ;)

Happy 2014, friends!!