Joy to the World!

I had heard about the Festival of Lights from a friend, so on a cold evening before Christmas we drove to check it out.  The Festival is a huge Christmas lights display sponsored by the Calgary Lions Club.  You can see the lights from the road, but we parked the car and wandered through the park for a closer look.  Wow, it was bitter cold, and we were not at all prepared!  (I thought this was going to be a "drive around and look at lights from the comfort of your warm and toasty car" kind of experience, oops!).  But, the lights were worth it!  A really great display...we'll be sure to be back next year on a warmer evening and stay longer.  But, the great thing about a cold walk through a park means hot chocolate with marshmallows back at home!

Christmas Eve came, and Nathalie was not feeling well again.  Poor girl...between stitches and fevers, she's had a rough few months.  So, Greg and Ben got all dressed up and went to Christmas Eve at church.  Nathalie actually fell asleep after they left, so I was able to go online and watch the service myself in real time.  Isn't technology amazing??  The boys got home and we had dinner.  Afterwards, Ben helped finish up some cookie decorating so that we could get a plate all ready for Santa.  He's almost here... !!!!

 

Merry Christmas!!  The kids were up early (no surprise) to see what Santa had left in their stockings.  Right away, Greg was tasked with helping Ben build his new Angry Bird K'Nex toy while I made the coffee.  :) 

 

K'Nex were built, so it was time to move on to that pile of presents under our tree.  So many wonderful gifts that family and friends sent...puzzles, games, books, toys.  Greg and I got in on the action too with some Roots gear and books.  Can't wait to snuggle up in our Roots sweats and read...but that will have to wait.  Today, there are toys to open and more things to put together! 

 

We finished up opening presents and enjoyed quiche, fruit, and monkey bread.  Then, back to playing and laughing and building...Legos, Marble Run, Playmobil.  We certainly missed seeing family, but thank goodness for Skype and text messages!  We sent pictures back and forth all day long.  :)  Homemade pizza later that night for dinner and then movie time...curled up on the couch watching Tangled.  What a sweet and special Christmas Day!