Christmas Celebrations

Christmas is a time of celebrations. Celebrating Jesus' birth. Celebrating God's gift to us. Celebrating with family, friends and food. Christmas is receiving God's love wrapped up and given to us through the birth of a child. I love Christmas and part of it is giving gifts to those around me. I see gift giving as a symbol of Christmas because of God's gift to us. I give with love, I receive with love. Gift giving is partaking in the miracle that Christmas really is. It's sharing love and joy, wrapped up in a present.

We celebrated Christmas early with my family. My dad and brother headed down to Brazil for Christmas. My cousin and her family came from Bellingham to join us. Adrianna was very entertained by the three boys. Unfortunately, I didn't take pictures, but my cousin did. Unfortunately, her camera wasn't working well, so these are the best shots.

The presents that are the biggest hit in our house: the Little Tikes Wheels from Oma and Opa Buitelaar and the Princess Tent from Oma and Opa Duck.

On Wednesday, December 23rd, we celebrated Christmas with Harvie's family. We had turkey dinner first. This is the sixth year we host the Christmas dinner and each year we improve it a little. This year we added ham to the feast. It was great to be together and catch up. Next year we'll have another little Buitelaar around the table with the arrival of Marlen and Sue's little one in May. We are thrilled for them! Sue is beautiful pregnant and Harvie and I can't wait to become aunt and uncle for the first time!

Adrianna chose to eat goldfish crackers instead of the delicious meal. She doesn't realize what she is missing out on!

We couldn't resist and buy a Christmas gift from Adrianna to her cousin to be. As soon as Sue opened up the gift, Adrianna was eager to play with it. Thankfully I had thought ahead and bought one for her too. Sophie the giraffe has become one of her favourite toys now.

A cozy sweater from Oma Buitelaar.

And the big present from all: her own set of wheels!

It was quite the hit! She kept going in and out of this part of the car. It kept her happy past her bedtime, quite a challenging task at times!

Of course with two engineer brothers, they tried to put the car together right away. But they don't make it easy to put together...it becomes quite comic to watch, but not so fun for those putting it together. It took Harvie a good portion of Christmas eve day to make all the parts fit together!

Cozy sweaters for Oma and Opa Buitelaar...

December 24th, Christmas even morning. Harvie stayed home and before having breakfast, Adrianna just coudn't wait until Christmas day to give her present to daddy, a duo-blokus game, a vest/tie/shirt combo and some Rafaello chocolates. Harvie surprised me with beautiful earrings inside a box of hedgehog chocolates.

December 24th, Christmas eve, we got all dressed up and headed for a beautiful candlelight service at our Church. It was the first time we spent Christmas even just the three of us and I love it! It was quiet, calm and relaxing. (After finishing this post I realized I hadn't fixed the red-eyes...oh well, too late now!)

December 25th, Christmas morning comes with presents for the little girl. We all stayed in our pajamas for the big event. Adrianna was excited to rip the paper, more so than to see what was inside. Each gift was first seen as a place for sitting. Good thing there wasn't anything breakable!

Slowly, the gift wrapping was ripped...

But first, before enjoying its contents, let's jump on the box a little more!

Every little girl needs a doll for Christmas!

No, the little spoon is for your doll!

Ahh, a kiss for the new doll!

I think Adrianna likes her Christmas gifts!

After church and Adrianna's nap, we headed to my mom's place for a late lunch and more presents. First we called my dad in Brazil to wish him a Merry Christmas. We certainly missed Jeff and my dad on Christmas day, but we know he is enjoying his time with family in warm Curitiba. Aunt Jeni spoiled Adrianna with the Barbie camper. It will match the Barbie camping family she gave Adrianna for her birthday. Aunt Jeni is building Adrianna's Barbie collection. She is one lucky girl!

My mom gave three different dog stuffies to Adrianna, each one welcomed with a big hug, kiss and cuddles. Why is it that they receive her affection and we have to beg for it?

Now, the best gift of all. Harvie got a mooning Santa from my mom. Adrianna was cuirous and entertained by it.

On Sunday, December 27th, we had the Peters Family Christmas at Aunt Lydia's place. It was so nice to celebrate with the big family, enjoying a delicious meal and the chaos of opening gifts with eager children. Adrianna received books and stuffies, two of her most favourite things! My cousin Sandy took pictures during the gathering, which I'll post later.

On Monday, December 28th, Harvie's airport group had a holiday dinner at Gotham Restaurant. We took Adrianna along and she was the life of the party. Thankfully they had booked the private room. Adrianna spent most of the time crawling under the tables and walking alongside the perimeter of the room.

Adrianna decided to help out the staff at Gothams by taking down the Christmas decorations from the tree.

This is the fun Adrianna had while we ate the main course. Oh the fun a toddler can have!

We hope your Christmas was a joyous one. We hope the love and peace of Christmas follows you into the new year. May we spread God's love into 2010!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Let's start with the most important...Christ's birth. Thanks to my Aunt Cindy's present to Adrianna last Christmas, we took out from our "Christmas" bins this little "play" cloth nativity scene. I tried to "explain" it to Adrianna...here is how Adrianna understood it...

Oh, these cloth figures, I think I will try tasting it...

Oh, and the stable, this is what I can do with it! Maybe next year I will try telling her the story again...

Oh Christmas tree, Oh Christmas tree! Protecting the tree from a curious toddler takes creativity.
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But she finds her own creative ways to get close to it!

What a sight it must be for a little one, to have a real tree in the house.

A visit with Santa...

Harvie's work has a "family" Christmas party every year. This year it was up at Grouse Mountain. He ventured out with Adrianna, a diaper bag, snowsuit and accessories, stroller, courage and patience to the party without me. I had this semester's final class and had to miss the great event. Looks like it was fun...so much to see and do! A taste of Mr. Winter Wonderland.

Lucky for me, Mr. Winter Wonderland made a visit this past Sunday. Yes, it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow...

Where's the baby?

Christmas tree is decorated. Presents are mostly bought, some are even wrapped! Our winter village is up. Christmas cards were sent. I hope the cards find their way to your home. May you find the peace, joy and hope of Christ in your hearts. Oh, come Emmanuel!