Countdown to Christmas

Although I collected my supplies for my 2016 "December Daily" album in November I am nowhere even close to starting it. Thankfully, I kept a journal of our daily activities this past month and took a lot of photos.  I really should call this project countdown to Christmas since our Christmas festivities officially began mid November. 

November 18th

I pulled all the totes of décor out of the shop.I don't know about you, but it takes me ages to decorate for Christmas.  Every year I try to find new ways of incorporating evergreens.

November 19th

Went to the Kris Cringle Fair for the first time and was amazed at how BIG it was. The sheer amount of vendors was overwhelming! I will not bring a two year old with me again. Levi enjoyed decorating cookies but other than that he was a train wreck.  The girls thoroughly enjoyed the horse drawn trolley ride and hot chocolate afterwards.

November 20th

We went to Bowen park with some dear friends and took each other's Christmas photos. The children surprisingly happy to pose for family photos.

November 21st

Had a relaxing day with my little man in our matching Padraig slippers.

November 22nd

Finally wrote a list of things that we hoped to do as a family this winter.

 November 23rd

Our connect group had a potluck meal together. Levi and I made an apple pie.

November 24th

Snapped this photo of Mount Benson looking very festive.

November 25th

We got our first Christmas Mail today!! Yippee!! Thank you Itter Family!

November 26th

Nate put the Christmas lights up. It's his favorite part of Christmas..other than my butter tarts.

November 27th

We had some of Nathaniel's relatives over for dinner and they all got a kick out of this cougar skin.

November 28th

Today the children and I handed out invitations for a Christmas Block party at our house. We bumped into some awesome neighbours on the way home and I had to snap a photo of them in their matching pyjamas.

November 29th

Amelia and I filled our handmade advent calendar filled with bible verses and chocolates.

November 30th

I spent the day goofing around with this little cutie. He is so much fun these days!

December 1st

Was called to a birth first and supported some friends as they welcomed their second child into the world.

December 2nd

I came down with a head cold the next day and spent most of the day horizontal. I was sound asleep when Amelia took this photo. A testament to my awesome parenting skills.

December 3rd

Today we went Christmas tree hunting with the Moes family. So much FUN!!!! There is a post about it here.

December 4th

We hosted our first block party!!!

December 5th

It snowed!!!! We walked the kiddos to school and then spent the morning shoveling driveways and sidewalks.

 December 6th

We celebrated the Dutch holiday of Sinterklaas, St. Nicholas Day, with speculaas. I found chocolate covered ones this year and they were delicious. We were a day late, but who cares?

December 7th

Took a lovely frosty walk with Levi and then enjoyed practicing Christmas carols with our connect group later that evening.

December 8th
Our mom's bible study group had a gift exchange and enjoyed some tea and treats.

December 9th
It snowed AGAIN! Yippeeee!



And... we got a parcel from the Isaac Family filled with the most beautiful handmade ornaments

 December  10th

We went to a Christmas party at a friends house were we enjoyed an insane array of delicious food as well as an amazing violin performance.

December 11th

Got all dressed up for Nathaniel's Christmas work party. I forgot to take a photo of Nate and I dressed up so this had to suffice.

December 12th

Spent a better part of the day wrapping presents with this funny girl. She is the perfect wrapping companion because she is just as obsessed as I am about making things beautiful.

December 13th

Practicing with the Oceanside choir for the Christmas Eve Service.

December 14th

Our home group thought it would be fun to go carolling in our neighbourhood and hand out packages of cookies with invitations to our annual Christmas Eve service.

December 15th

Finally got to enjoy a seasonal beverage from Starbucks.

December 16th

Had a chill day

December 17th

Took the kiddos to the church so that they could practice their parts in the Christmas play the following Sunday.

December 18th

Drove into Qualicum to visit Milner Gardens. The girls loved all the lights. We all got a kick out of the cool 3D glasses we bought that turned all the lights into reindeer.

December 19th

Went to the school to help the kindergarten class out with a craft. Even Levi gave it a try.

December 20th

Baked some butter tarts and worked on my Christmas cards

December 21st

Finally made some tree ornaments with Amelia.

December 22nd

The girls and I delivered their Christmas gifts to their teachers: gingerbread style paper bags filled with some of my handmade soap and honey from Nathaniel's hive.

Amelia returned home with this adorable snowman stuffed with chocolate.

December 23rd

Went to check out the pond behind one of our neighbours homes. I was frozen solid a few days ago but apparently has thawed since the weather warmed up. It was worth a laugh. Afterwards Nate took Amelia on a date to the skating rink and I enjoyed a tea party with Levi and Claire. Melanie - thanks for the treats!

December 24th
Went to a Christmas Eve service at our church where I sang in the choir. Afterward we went to a friends house for some of the BEST turkey I have ever had! I am so excited that Nathaniel doesn't have to work tonight and that we will be able to open presents together in the morning.

December 25th
Just heaps of fun watching everyone open and enjoy their gifts!

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!!!