Christmas 2017

Although I missed my family terribly this year, we had a pretty awesome Christmas.  December came on us pretty quickly but I found myself actually savoring moments this year and trying really hard not to get all stressed out (didn't do too bad on this, but definitely need to keep working on it).

This year, we invested in a new Christmas tree.  I hate dealing with strings of lights and having to turn the tree a certain way because 1/4 of our net lights were burnt out.  So we treated ourselves.  Not only are the lights built in, but you can have coloured lights....

...white lights, or BOTH!  Yep, there's a setting that will alternate between colour (my favourite) and white (Kevin's preference).  I was pretty happy with this compromise.

I managed to get Bradyn to the mall to see Santa before Christmas Eve this year, but we still had to wait in line for 45 minutes.  Only cost me $22 for the pictures and $5 for the bribe (although Bradyn hasn't actually come collecting yet... maybe she forgot!)

Fake 'unicorn' snow

Not sure if Bradyn or Santa was more nervous.

#1 on Bradyn's list this year was an English-Spanish dictionary because she's been teaching herself to speak Spanish.  (Thank you Grandma and Grandpa for that gift!)

(sigh) Growing up too fast.

Other than the Christmas Lights at Lafarge Lake, a must on my list this year was the Vancouver Christmas Market at the Vancouver Convention Centre.  After Bradyn's last day of school, we started our evening with happy hour at Earls in Burnaby and then headed to the market.  We explored the market, rode the carousel and then headed over to Canada Place to see the Woodward's window displays.  Chilly evening, but lots of fun. 

On December 23, Bradyn and I attempted to make melted snowman sugar cookies.  Long story short, we ended up with one gigantic cookie and a few small ones.

On Christmas Eve, the texts and questions about when the kids could open their Christmas PJs started early in the afternoon.  After a few minor technical difficulties, the boxes were being ripped open.  Apparently Aunt B doesn't know how big the kids' feet are but the outfits were a big hit.  

The view from our living room......  

And the Moodys'...

Cousin photo with Brady on the tablet.

Grandma & Grandpa, Uncle Dallas & Aunty Ita arrived later on Christmas Eve for dinner and a lovely visit.  Unfortunately, I forgot to take pictures!  Grandma & Grandpa weren't able to stay over this year because they had to get home to Jasper, their new puppy, but Dallas & Ita were able to stay, which was a real treat.

I woke up early Christmas morning after only getting about 3-4 hours of sleep.  For whatever reason, I just could not fall asleep!  Maybe I was too excited LOL.  My family didn't show up on the doorstep, but I had the second best Christmas morning surprise.... it snowed!  We had some snow earlier in the week but it had started to melt.  Fresh snow on Christmas morning really is magical.

As per usual, Miss Bradyn got spoiled.

Bradyn was so tired on Christmas Eve that she kissed us all good-night and went to bed before 9:30.  I ran up to remind her that she hadn't put out her cookie and milk for Santa but she was so tired that she asked if I could do it for her.  Luckily she had written her letter earlier in the day.  Apparently Santa isn't in the business of match-making hahaha.

'Sneaking' downstairs to wake up Uncle Dallas & Aunty Ita so we can get started on opening gifts.

I know it doesn't look like it, but Bradyn was over the moon with her Jughead fleece blanket from Santa.  She absolutely LOVES the show Riverdale.

After Dallas & Ita left, we took our first-ever Christmas Day selfie.  We had a lot of giggles trying to take this.

Before I headed back to bed for a nap, I snapped this picture of Bradyn having some quiet time.  It looks like she's mesmerized by the colours on her new aromatherapy diffuser but in actual fact, she's watching YouTube on her phone (shocker) AND enjoying the diffuser.  

In the afternoon, we headed down to White Rock to have Christmas dinner with Grandma, Grandpa and Jasper.  Again, forgot to take photos but we had a lovely time.

I hope you all had a very Merry Christmas, and are enjoying the holidays.