Christmas 2010

It's been awhile since I've written on here and I have so much to say so I'm not really sure where to start.
I'll start with Christmas - I know that Christmas is over already but I haven't said anything about it so.... here it goes
Christmas was different for me this year. I didn't go to Manitoba. I love my family and I never knew how much I loved the traditions and the events of Christmas that I enjoyed for so many years till I couldn't partake of them. While growing up Christmas was a very special time of year, and we celebrated it whole heartily. Some of my favorite things about Christmas are.....
1.Going to church more than usual - especially Christmas morning and singing the Hallelujah chorus!!
2.Christmas carols
3.playing games and spending lots of time with family
4.hearing my Dad read the Christmas story
5.Going to our barn at home and sitting on hay bales, reading the Christmas story and sharing with each other about what God has done in our lives and what we are thankful for.
6.my Mom's egg nog :) and all the other wonderful goodies she makes
7.Sharing and praying with my Mom's side of the family (a tradition that we have is after sharing what God has done in our life we join hands and pray together... it brings tears to my eyes many times)
8.good food
9.Giving gifts (although in the past few years our families have decided that instead of giving gifts to each other we would give to a charity)
10.and above all remembering why we celebrate this season... To remember the Greatest Gift ever given.... Jesus Christ!!!! Thank you Lord for giving your Son to us...

So Christmas out here this year was a bit different. We didn't have 3 Christmas gatherings to go to, there were very few gifts under the tree (and what was there was for Kelsey :) ) and I didn't have my immediate family to laugh and joke with. Even without all of this it was still a very good Christmas and I had a good time. But I will say, my heart was sad that I wasn't with my family. I know that our family will make new traditions but the process of getting there may be a bit painful at times.

Here are just a few pics of our Christmas this year - it sure is different with a baby! :)


In her Christmas Dress


In Christmas pj's


Our Tree


Kelsey opening her first Christmas gift