Christmas Wrap-Up

Well Christmas is over for another year. It's been such a busy time around here but my heart is full. We've had such a good time over the last few days - spending time with family and friends, eating, giving and recieving presents, more eating (and it continues - gotta love leftovers). I'm just going to run through the last few days and share pics of our fun

CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT

For the last 4 years, we've been going to the Carols by Candlelight rehearsal with friends on the 23rd December. It's the big carols in Melbourne, broadcast by Channel 9. The rehearsal is open to the public and it's such a fun night. We went again this year and had a ball. My sister Beth joined us this year so Joel loved that. He had a little carrier to sleep in and looked so cute all snugged up. He also had fun rugged but with Aunty Beth, singing the carols. He did have a little sad Santa moment but he was awesome for most of the night!!

CHRISTMAS DAY WITH THE CALLANDER GIRLS

Christmas lunch this year was at our house (ARGHHH!!) but it went brilliantly. We all kept commenting that it felt like there were no grown ups around (cause Mum and Dad weren't there) but we all came to the sad realisation that we are all grown ups now (and grown ups have to do the dishes!!). We all brought a salad some meat and a dessert. We had prawns, ham, turkey done in the Webber (which Andrew was so proud of). We had garden salad, pasta salad and roast vegie salad. For dessert there was a huge fruit platter and I made a triple chocolate cheesecake. Now I don't want to toot my own horn, but it totally rocked. It was so delicious. We had lunch outside, under our pergola. It was such a beautiful day. We just got a new outdoor setting and I was totally in my element making it all Christmassy and beautiful out there.

Before lunch we opened presents. Joel was fascinated (especially by the paper). He got so spoilt. He got lots of fun things to play with and to wear as well, all of which will come in very handy. I got spoilt too. Andrew gave me Greys Anatomy Season 3 on DVD (yes!!) and I got a piping set and a Jamie Oliver Flavour Shaker. Andrew got Die Hard 1-4 on DVD and Prison Break 2

The afternoon was topped off with a phone call to Mum and Dad via Skype. Was great to hear their voices and wish them a Merry Christmas. We all took in turns to chat to them and hear all of what is going on in each other's lives.

After everyone left our house, Andrew, Joel and I headed over to the in-laws house to catch up with everyone there and carry on the festivities. Joel again got spoilt by his aunties and uncles and grandparents. Our car was full of toys and clothes to take home. Andrew and I were spoilt again. I got a Making Memories 12x12 paper trimmer - so nice!!! and Andrew got a garden tree trimmer thingy!

We have entered a new phase in toys now - electronic noisy, lit up toys. Joel got a couple of activity board type toys with lights, and moving things and singing and buttons to push. He was totally mesmerized by one with a dancing monkey on it (as you can see below). I had fun pushing all the buttons too.

Today we had a bit of a sleep in and headed to the sales to get a couple of bargains. I bought myself a padlock bracelet with some money my Nanna left me (will share a pic another time) and Andrew bought some shoes and shorts. We were very self-controlled.

Tomorrow I think we are going to crash on the couch!!

So as you can see from the photos, we have had an awesome few days. Very full but great fun.

Till next time

Our very own baby Jesus

Just wanted to share some photos of Joel as Baby Jesus at the Road to Bethelehem. He did so well. Was wide awake for most of the time. He just got a little upset toward the end of his hour but he was just so tired. After some head stroking from Mary, he fell fast asleep. We were such proud parents - I was snapping away on the camera and Andrew had the video camera going.

All else is going well here - busy but good. Mum and Dad have made it to Moldova and are starting to settle in. It's totally snowing over there - looks like they'll be having a white Christmas!

Joel is rolling all over the place now and has discovered he can blow raspberries. It's so cute. He's little face goes red, he's concentrating on doing it. Very funny.

I've managed to finish all my Christmas present shopping, cards have been sent, started some baking - I made gingerbread kids. They are so delicious. We just have to do some food shopping (just vegies and stuff) and we are all ready for the big day. I am pretty up to date with my Christmas journal as well. Going to scan some pages tonight or tomorrow so I can share them here.

This photo was on the front of our Christmas cards this year. Cute, hey! I am totally biased though. Love how happy he looks.

Anyway, sorry this post is a bit bitsy. Just wanted to share some photos.

I'm hoping to get back on before Christmas but if I don't, hope you all have an amazing Christmas, celebrating the birth of Jesus.

TIll next time

Mammoth Catch-Up post

OK so I have been MIA for a few weeks now. Life has been totally crazy these past few weeks and it's only now that I've really had a chance to sit down and blog. So much has happened I don't even know where to begin.

Mum and Dad left for Moldova on Monday night. I still really can't comprehend that I won't see them (in person) for at least 1 1/2 years. It was probably one of the hardest things I've ever had to do -saying goodbye to them, but with time, we will all be ok. That's all I can say right now. Stll pretty raw.

Andrew's sisters wedding went really well. I managed to find myself a really nice skirt which didn't make me look too bad so i was pleased with that. It was such a gorgeous day and the place they had the wedding was just gorgeous and the food was delicious. It was just a really fantastic day.

Joel is doing really well. He has been dragged all over the place in the last few weeks (was at mum and dad's lots, wedding, shopping, mothers group, etc..) but he took all in his stride. He really is such a good baby. Happy to be around others and sleeps well too.

We have been so blessed. Tonight (Wednesday) he is playing Baby Jesus in a big live nativity production here in Melbourne called Road to Bethlehem. I went last year and it is huge. So we are super excited to have Joel in it this year. I'll be taking pics and videos don't you worry. I think if I get a decent picture, it might even be our Christmas card this year!!

I am doing Shimelle Lane's Journal your Christmas this year. She sends out daily email prompts to make up a Christmas Journal (thought it might help take my mind off things). I am about 8 days behind but have set aside today and tomorrow to stay home and get Joel back into a bit of routine and me caught up in the journal. We both need a little R&R. Will be posting some completed pages shortly (hopefully!!!)

I've also gone a little baking mad lately. I think it's stress relief for me. I have gone a little cupcake crazy. The girls over at Scrap of Faith have all caught this cuppie craziness as well. I made some Christmas Tree cupcakes for my mothers group Christmas party last week. I was so stoked out how they turned out.

We took Joel to see Santa a couple of weeks ago. Didn't faze him at all. I think he was more interested in the presents under the tree there than the fact that he was sitting on a scary looking dude's knee. We'll have to see how next year goes!!

We also put the Christmas tree up a couple of weekends ago. Love walking past it and remembering it's Christmas. Joel helped us put some of the decorations on.

And my sister Clare and brother in law Matt have a new addition to the family - a gorgeous little girl called Ruby!! Isn't she gorgeous!! She is so soft and so fun to play with. Joel loves her already and Ruby enjoys licking Joel's feet.

Well I think that is enough for one day. I am going to endeavour to update more regularly now for Mum and Dad's sake as well as everyone else's. I know there has been stacks of photos but I thought I would leave you with one more of Joel - the mini Moldovan!! This is the hat that Dad got given from their church!

Thanks for reading this mammoth post. Promise the next one won't be as long!

Till next time