Picture a Christmas!

Preparation starts on Christmas Eve - it's traditional for Jason and Jarom to prepare the vegetables, they do a great job, and I'm so glad it's one less thing for me to do. In the evening we attend the carol concert at church, and then it's home to bed. We try to get the boys into bed at a reasonable time so that they can get a good night's sleep - also so that we can get all the gifts placed by the tree.

In the morning when the children wake, they can open their little stocking gifts. This year - Sponge Bob sponges, mini lynx kits & Toy Story wash mits, plus the usual chocolates. Then it's down to the tree to see the gifts there, but these aren't to be opened until we are all dressed and ready for the day. We read the story of the nativity, and say a prayer. Then the craziness begins! This year there where gifts for 3 families by the tree!

Tayler was the first to open a gift - a towel with his swimming badges sawn on. We are all so proud of him this year. Then treats of - Lego & guitars were unwrapped. The boys all enjoyed a jamming session with uncle Timmy, even little Ashleigh joined in and danced along. After dinner and a little nap it was time to say goodbye and bid our guests farewell. We really do love being all together - we laugh and cry and love each other, and look forward to when we will all be together again - just a week to go, and we'll be wishing each other a Happy New Year!

Our little man turns 2...

I couldn't not share the events of Nathaniel's birthday. He woke early, (he's been doing that a lot lately) and opened his gifts - Thomas Lego and a Scooter. He loved his scooter and rode it all day long, up and down the office and kitchen. Later in the afternoon we invited some of Nathaniel's friends over for a cowboy style party - cowboy hats and bandannas - cool! We invited Ashleigh, Rebecca, Alannah & Brooke, Noah, Elijah & Issac. Due to the weather and not everyone could come, but it was so nice to spend time those who were able to make it. We had yummy cake & yoghurt, fruit, sausages & pizza for tea. Nathaniel seemed to have a lovely time, it was so nice to share his birthday with friends and family.

Dreaming of a white Christmas?

I guess it's going to be a white Christmas here in Weston-super-Mare, we have been caught heavily by this year's big freeze. My boys are loving it - they could stay out in it all day. I am less enthusiastic. My big worry - will Asda be able to deliver my Christmas food shop? If not I'll have to face the queues at Sainsbury's. In theory this wouldn't be too terrible, I have most of my food stored in the freezer, it's just the last minute fruit, vegetables, milk & bread I need to get, and the little bits for Nathaniel's Birthday party. Unfortunatly, this could turn into a nightmare - I'd have to get Jason to drive me (I HATE driving in the snow), so we'd have to take Nathaniel and possibly the other boys - oh, no! I'll just have to phone Asda and plead with them to deliver!

My boys have made the most amazing snow fort ever! And with the amount of snow that has fallen in the last few hours that baby is only going to get bigger! It's so great to see them working together and enjoying being outside. I'm so glad they're not transfixed by their electrical games & the TV! I guess, (despite the shopping) I'm also saying hooray for snow!

Probably the best mince pie recipe in the world ...

Several years ago my dear mummy gave me the very best mince pie recipe. It was given to her by a dear friend, and our Christmas's just wouldn't be the same without it. I have to confess that the first time I made them it took me all day, and I swore I would never make them again! How ridiculous to make mince pies that take all day when I can simple buy them from Sainsbury's! My mum would patiently reply that they taste so much better, and that they were worth it. She was right, as always. The taste, the smell, the crumbly almond pastry - yum, yum - seriously addictive.

So when Mummy got poorly and I started to host Christmas I knew I would have to take over the mince pie duties. I made them to please Mum, and now even though she's not here I still make them in her memory. I have actually grown to love making them - and yes they still take me all day to make.

This year they actually took me two days. I always make a massive batch - umm, I lost count at 7 dozen. Some of them will be given to the sisters I visiting teach, and some to our neighbours, Jarom and Jason have already eaten way to many. I really want to save them for Christmas week, so I've frozen the rest.

Speaking of gifts. We really enjoyed the Christmas devotional on Sunday, and Jason and I especially liked this version of 'What shall we give the the babe in the Manger?', just beautiful. I hope you enjoy it too.

Winter wonderland...

I can't remember a time when I have ever seen such an amazing frost. We woke yesterday to an icy frosting that covered just about everything. It stayed all day because the temperature didn't rise above -3. I also don't think it has ever stayed so cold for so long.

My boys are so upset that it has only snowed once. They would have stayed out all night in that snow if they had known. Jarom loves it so much. It's nice to see him so excited. This was our conversation yesterday. 'Mum, it's sooo not fair. Why doesn't Heavenly Father send us snow, when he sends it to so many other people?' My response - 'Unfortunately Jarom, today Heavenly Father is answering my prayers and the prayers of everyone else who doesn't want it to snow. Sorry.'

I am, unlike my oldest boy, not a big lover of snow. I love to look at it when it's freshly fallen, there's probably nothing more beautiful. But unfortunately it makes me feel so trapped and scared. I hate traveling in it, and I simply can't cope with the cold - it makes me grumpy. So I apologise to my boy, but I will continue to pray for it not to snow! The beautiful frost can stay though, as long as the roads and paths don't get icy.

Wishing you a very ...

We've been a little busy here, and I'm sorry for not blogging last week. I had a client's photograph's to edit and Christmas gifts & cards to wrap and post abroad to my family. I have also tried to do more home baking, in an aid to reduce the unhealthy processed foods we eat, so I've been baking cakes, muffins and biscuits. My boys have really loved it, but they actually seem to eat so much more, I'm not sure I can keep up!

We decorated our home for Christmas. I love keeping it simple with lots of little things around the home.

Christmas Wreaths - I love these!

Our woolly stockings - we hang them here, in anticipation, because we don't have a fireplace and we keep our tree outdoors.

Just love this cute little print out, I got it from eighteen25, a really great crafty blog I love to check in on.

Our Advent train. Full of Christmas songs to sing together and nativity scriptures to read each day.

Our Tree! We managed to keep it alive all year long!

I just love Poinsettias, they remind me of my Mum, she would always have one in the home over Christmas, and she was such a genius with plants she could keep it looking good all year long. Note : they are super poisonous so I keep it well our of the reach of the boys!

My favourite Christmas decorations. Jason bought the nativity set for me a couple of years ago, the wreath usually sits on our front door, but I think it looks really pretty here, and this picture is my all time favourite. I like so many of Liz Lemon Swindle's paintings, but this one is my favourite it is entitled 'Be it unto me'. Looking at these beautiful images each day really helps me to focus on a more Christ-centred Christmas.