Christmas Eve Family Time (Dec.24, 2023)

It's Christmas Eve.

Freya spent the night last night so when we got up this morning, she and I just snuggled on the couch and I tried to get her to watch a Christmas movie but she just wanted to watch Roma and Diana.

Jason went out for a 10k run - I wish I was as dedicated as he is!

Kody and Haylee were heading to her grandparents in Barrhead this evening so they picked Freya up early and they were off.

I spent the day finishing up the little bit of wrapping that I needed to do - just mom's gifts mostly as she wraps everything else for me which I appreciate immensely!

Then I just worked on cleaning my craft room up a little and I also had a nice long hot bath.

It was so relaxing.

It was a pretty chill day.

I saw this recipe online and it sounds delicious.

I would like to try making it.

Around 5 pm. Rob, Adrien, Hunter and Alivia all showed up.

Mel was working until 9 so Adrien had the kiddos.

Rob.

Adrien.

Jason.

We just hung out together, watched The Grinch, did some snacking and then before it was time for them to go home, Hunter wanted to open a Christmas Eve gift.

We also called and had a video chat with Jen and the boys.

Scott was there with them for the night, they were all playing a game of Catan.

We were going to video chat with her tomorrow too but they will be heading to PEI and so will likely be on the road when we are opening gifts so I'm glad we got to chat with them tonight.

He opened a gift that mom got for him, It was a remote control helicopter.

Mom and Alivia.

Alivia opened a present as well of course, had to be fair.

Then I got Adrien and Rob to open the gifts I'd gotten for them.

Christmas day gets really hectic and so I don't always get to see everyone opening their gifts and these were special gifts I'd picked out so I just wanted to see if they liked them.

I got Adrien the Mandalorian Helmet Lego set.

Rob opening his gift.

I got him this little mini guitar which is a replica of a guitar that Eddie Van Halen had.

When we were young, we had a lip sync contest at our friends house, Tracy Curley.

It was a big deal, we had a stage built in her basement then dad and a friend of his built a wooden guitar for Rob and painted it just like this guitar so it brings back fond memories for me.

Plus anything made into a miniature is just super cute.

They hung out until just before 9, then headed home so Mel could get the kids.

She'll have them for the night then they'll go back to Adrien's in the morning and he'll bring them over here again so we can all open the rest of our gifts.

After they left, Jason and I watched It's a Wonderful Life which is another tradition for me.

I watch it every Christmas Eve.

It is such a good movie and even though I've seen it so many times, I still cry at the end every single time.

Then it was off to bed so Santa could come!

That's all for today, until next time, be happy!

Family Christmas Craft (Dec.23, 2023)

When I got up this morning, I decided to do some baking.

I always make haystack cookies for Christmas so I got those on the go.

I quadrupled the recipe so I'd have lots to share with my family.

I was having everyone in the family over tonight to do a craft so I found what we would be needing for supplies and hauled it all out to the dining room.

I also got a meat and cheese tray ready, I have a lot of food these guys are going to have to help me eat up!

Freya with her finished reindeer.

Here's a close up of it.

I love how she does the eyes.

Rob made one and then Hunter started one but he kind of lost interest so Adrien finished it up for him.

Alivia is pretty crafty herself and I just love how hers turned out, it's super cute, very realistic.

I decided to make one too while all the stuff was out.

This craft didn't go over as well as the gnomes did a year or two ago but it was still fun.

I'll have to be on the look out for something to do next year.

Jason was playing with the kids and Hunter wanted to play Jackbox so they got a game of that going.

He kind of lost interest in that too.

Mom just likes hanging out with everyone.

Haylee and Eden.

That's all for today, until next time, be happy!

Change of Plans (Dec.22, 2023)

I was supposed to be having my friends over tonight for our annual get together and gift exchange so when I got up, I immediately started cleaning.

I cleaned both of the bathrooms, mopped and vacuumed.

I got everything tidied, got a bunch of candles lit and new wax melts put into all of my scentsy burners then I got busy in the kitchen.

I made a surprise dip and was about to start slicing meat and cheese when Bonnie called to say that she just found out she had Covid so she won't be able to make it tonight.

Since that really only left Nadine and Karl we decided to cancel and do it another time.

Freya had gotten up and while I was busy cleaning, she was chilling on the couch with kitty.

I love how the kitty just stays there with her.

Since the party got cancelled for tonight, I switched gears and decided to go ahead and make meat pies.

It took me a bit to go through all the meat and take out all of the bones but I got 'er done.

I ended up making 10 pies, it took me a few hours but I'm just happy that they are done.

Jason had planned on making pizza tonight and he had already made the dough so he went ahead and made those for us for supper.

He made a few different kinds but the one he made with olives was my favorite.

Haylee was out with some friends so Kody brought Eden by after supper for a visit and Freya just loves holding her so she asked to immediately.

Sniffing that wonderful baby smell.

She really wants to be able to pick her up and walk around with her but she is still a little bit too young for that.

Awwww.

She sat with Eden on her for about a good hour - so sweet.

That's all for today, until next time, be happy!

Work is Done Let the Holidays Begin! (Dec.21, 2023)

I had to go to work so Jason got Freya up and ready for school.

He sent me some pictures this morning, the kitty went in to snuggle with her when Jason opened the bedroom door.

My other kitties don't like kids that much and normally hide when the kids come over so I'm really glad this kitty seems to like Freya.

Freya really likes her too.

When she finally got up, they did some more snuggling on the couch.

It is her last day of school before the Christmas holidays and they are having a little party so Jason got her dressed in her party dress.

He got her to pose in front of the Christmas tree and of course she had to have kitty with her.

It's like her little baby.

He picked her up after school and took her to the store and she didn't want to go so she was being dramatic.

They ran into Kody and Haylee who were heading to the city to do some shopping.

Freya wanted to go but since they were shopping for her, that wasn't going to work so Jason convinced bribed her to stay with him by letting her pick out at toy at the store.

She picked this dog that you can color, right up her alley.

Paddington is so chunky - he was all stretched out on the couch and he just looks like a beached whale.

Today was my last day of work before the holidays as well.

I'll be off now until Jan.2 although I will have to go into work one day over the break to do payroll but I can go whenever I want to so that's not so bad.

I worked on wrapping mom's gifts tonight then I also picked up a bunch of prizes for a game so I got those wrapped up tonight too.

That's all for today, until next time, be happy!

School Christmas Concert (Dec.20, 2023)

 Work is really slowing down now.

I think a lot of people are already off for the holidays.

I've gotten everything caught up so I'm feeling good.

When I got home from lunch I found these two snuggling together on the couch.

When I got home at lunch, I did some crafting.

I love how it looks.

I got this fabric at Joanne's when we were in Tucson and it is so beautiful.

I thought of taking this down to the Hardware but then I changed my mind and decided to keep it for myself.

Jason picked Freya up after school and took her to the store and let her pick out a snack.

She picked canned whipped cream.

She loves just eating it straight from the can (what kid wouldn't)?

Just a mouth full of whipped cream.

She thinks it's pretty funny.

Freya had her concert tonight so I wanted to get my workout done as soon as I got home after work.

I just walked again - really just wanting to make sure I get my steps in.

Workout complete.

Right after I worked out, I started feeling really dizzy for some reason.

I still managed to curl Freya's hair though and get her ready for her concert.

This is the dress she picked out to wear tonight.

The curls didn't last very well but her hair still looks super cute.

Striking a pose!

Professor Snuggles wanted to pose in front of the Christmas tree too.

We got ready and headed down to the concert but I was so dizzy and nauseous I didn't feel like I could go in there and sit there for an hour.

So I dropped Jason and Freya off and went on home.

I was bummed because I was really looking forward to seeing her in concert for the first time but I just couldn't do it

He promised to take pictures and videos for me though.

When I got home, I got in the tub and just laid in there - I was there for a long time.

I'd feel better then I'd try to get up to get out and the dizziness would come rushing back.

It was so weird, it just came out of nowhere.

As promised, Jason took lots of pictures for me.

He was far away so they aren't as clear as I would have liked but at least I have them.

I think she was looking for mom and dad in the crowd.

She found them, I see her smile even though it's blurry.

She did a really good job of doing all the actions.

As you can see, Jason was on one side of the gym and Freya was way over on the other.

This shot is a little less blurry.

Jason sat with Kody, Haylee and Eden.

He got this shot of Eden just as she was spitting up, ha ha.

There is Hunter with his class, love the tie!

He's tall so he always ends up in the back row.

Zepplyn is in his class so she was up there too.

I think he must have noticed either mom or dad.

He reminds me a lot of Kody when he was that age.

Especially his hair!

At then end they brought all the kids out to do a performance together.

Looks like Zepp had a special performance.

Cool kids - love the shades.

By the time Jason got back I had made it out of the tub and was feeling a little better but still not 100%

I sure hope whatever is going on with me passes quickly.

Freya left the concert with Crystal and was going to go to her house but changed her mind on the way and had Crystal drop her off at our place.

She sat and did some coloring - it's pretty much her favorite thing to do.

She wanted to play hide and seek with Jason.

You can't see her but she's hiding under these pillows in the closet and you can see she's got the cat in there with her.

We went to bed early (I just hoped whatever I had would go away and I'd feel better in the morning).

The kitty came in for some cuddles.

Awww, it looks like she's hugging Freya.

Freya likes to drink out of this Peppa Pig sippy cup she has and she pretends its a bubba.

I swear if we gave her a bubba she would totally love it.

I'm so glad she loves the new kitty so much and the new kitty seems to really like her too.

She fell asleep pretty quickly which was awesome.

Haylee posted this super cute picture of Eden sleeping tonight.

That's all for today, until next time, be happy!