Christmas Eve

In the past this day was filled with anticipation of visits from family and the eagerness of Jenn and Stephen wanting to open that one Christmas Eve present.  We would then play games and eat chips and dip until we coaxed the kids to bed.  Ron and I would wait until both kids were sound asleep and then surround the tree with gifts that would stretch across the floor.  Stuffed stockings were placed on the presents to be the first thing to open on Christmas morning.  Ron and I would go to bed almost as excited as Jenn and Stephen waiting for their reaction.

The view from my back door this morning....yes, it is a white Christmas here.

This Christmas Eve is different.  No family visiting.  No children.  No gifts under the tree (well, maybe a few!)  Ron has already been called into work and he works tonight BUT.....the "boys" are making pizza tonight and I will make a dessert pizza.  We will try to get in a game of Risk.  (Usually it is Catan, but I have been winning too much lately so they wanted to change it up!). It will be a good evening.  The boys brought us a centrepiece yesterday and it brightened my day and my table.

Yes years go by, traditions change, life continues to happen but I will never stop missing my kids.  

They are always in my heart and I miss them in our home....maybe next year.

Merry Christmas!

Days Away

We are back home after enjoying a few days away.  After staying one night in Saskatoon we travelled to Swift Current.  We enjoyed the convenience of picking up coffee and tea to deliver to the detachment where Ron worked.

That evening we went to McDonald's to visit with some great friends from the church.  Oh how I have missed chatting with ladies.  It was great catching up with these wonderful friends.  The next day I went for tea with my work friends.  It was so nice seeing them but it was way too short of a visit.  Even though we were only in Swift Current for four years I feel that I made life-long friends.

Later that day we travelled to Regina and saw the beautiful lights around Depot and enjoyed an evening at Cirque du Soliel (our Christmas gift to each other plus our cruise in February).

After loading up with groceries the next morning we drove back home to settle in for Christmas.  Oh and I have had a little visitor stop in...one of the member's dog.  Isn't she a pretty girl?

Mini Vacation

It is always so relaxing to have a few days away from.  Ron and I left yesterday morning for a long drive...anywhere away from Deschambault Lake is a long drive.  We drove five hours to Saskatoon with a short lunch stop in Prince Albert.

It was a beautiful drive.

Today we head to Swift Current....it is kind of like going home.  Can't wait to see some great friends.

The Countdown is on...

The first week of -December is almost over.  This week brought a little more snow and lots of cold.  At the first of the week we bundled up and ventured outside in the minus thirty something to take advantage of our winter wonderland that surrounds us.

Down the hill, across the road, through the path and out onto the lake.

On our way back some of the local dogs scooted by us enjoying the sunshine.

When you are surrounded by snow you just have to enjoy it

After trying out the snow close to home we went to Flin Flon the next day for our weekly trip to load up on groceries.  We went for a loop around the Ski Club trails.  The snow wasn't quite as good but it was a pretty day.

To top off my week Jenn took her family for some Christmas pictures.  I love seeing their smiles.

So the first week of December comes to an end.  The lights are shining on the Christmas tree and Christmas carols play throughout the house.  My Christmas baking has filled trays and been delivered and are being enjoyed around our table.

I hope that you are enjoying your December....looking forward to week two as we head out for a mini-vacation.

Contentment

Some days you just get that "ahhh" feeling.  As I sit in my favourite chair with a cup of tea I'm having that contented feeling.  It is a beautiful snowy day and I love looking past my decorated Christmas tree to see the snow gently falling.

I have an apple crisp in the oven and a roast ready to go in.  We have already been out for a nice crisp walk.  Tonight I will start working on my Christmas cards while I watch a Christmas movie.

Ahhh ...contentment.

Oh, and I received an email that said that it is only 90 days until my cruise.  

I hope you are having a great day too!

Hugs and Snuggles

Well I am back home and "enjoying" the snow and cold of northern Saskatchewan.  While in Ontario we had nice warm weather but I guess that has left them as well.  I thought I should post some brag pictures before I move unto the Christmas season.

I arrived in Ontario on the Sunday and was picked up at the airport by three grandchildren who had gone on a drive to pick up a "surprise."  It was so great to hear their excited voices and have Sarah just stare at me in disbelief.  I had it all planned on how to spend time with the little munchkins so I started out at Mom and Dad's with the two middle ones.

Emma and Jacob are the most active of the four.  Emma likes to play dollies and Jacob went looking for anything with wheels.  We went for lots of walks....teatime with Great Aunt Tina, a visit with Great Grandma and dinner at Swiss Chalet with Great Nana.

And at bedtime it was all three of us in a double bed.  I had a lot of feet in my face during the week.



I considered packing them away in the suitcase to bring them home but I thought that it might put me over the weight restriction.

Mom was able to find a great little "low" chair to help with meal time but the only problem was that they all wanted to give it a try.

 

On Wednesday Jenn came for supper and brought Sarah and Abbigail.  We took advantage of them all being there and tried to get some pictures but it is very difficult to get four children to look at the camera at the same time but I am sure that you can see the sweetness anyway.

Emma (3), Jacob (2), Abbigail (7 months), Sarah (5)

 
Jenn took Jacob and Emma home and left Sarah and Abby.  The house grew a lot quieter.  This was the first time that I had Abby without her mom and dad and oh, was that fun!  She is the sweetest, cuddliest, little sweetheart.  I think we bonded!



Okay, tell me you are not smiling when you see Abby's smile???

We did a little bit of Christmas looking in the stores with Sarah giving me ideas for her and her siblings.  We went for a few walks and had a visit with Great Grandma.  On Friday night we drove to Kingston to drop Abby off to her mom and then it was just Sarah and Nanny.  Well, we know what to do....SHOP!

The next few days consisted of more walks, visits, dinners with friends and lots and lots of reading.  I got my hair done a few times by my own personal hair stylist....sorry no pictures.  On Monday night I drove Sarah back to Kingston to meet her mom.  The car was very quiet back to Napanee.

 

Speed shopping began on Tuesday, first with Mom to get all the grandkids gifts and then Tuesday afternoon with Jenn.  Wednesday consisted of a full morning of wrapping gifts and leaving them there....no postage necessary this year.  In the evening I boarded a flight in Kingston, had a couple of hours in Toronto and then back to Saskatoon. 

 

I'm glad that I had the time with the grandkids and since I have been home I have received a few facetime and phone calls. 

 

Now....onto Christmas preparations.

• Decorating
• Christmas cards and letter
• Baking
• Dinner planning

Oh the time goes by so fast! 

On tHe Road Again

Since Ron is off to Regina for some training I thought I would take the trip with him.  A little bit of snow was still on the ground when we left yesterday morning to head six hours south.

We arrived at depot and spent the night there.  After a little swim we tried to sleep waiting for that 5:00 a.m. alarm.  Of course we were both awake before that.  Ron took me to the airport and I flew to Winnipeg.  This is where I am sitting until I catch my next flight to Ottawa to surprise three little grandchildren.  Can't wait!

Flying into the sunrise this morning.