Making Memories

This last month went by so fast!! But we still managed to cram in fun, friends, and firearms;)

It was an emotional month I think, because I went back and forth between the interest of preparing for Christmas in a new church not really knowing what to expect - coupled with the precious memories from Ottawa that defined our celebrations for so long and then wondering how everyone was doing back there and how they were getting along. A couple of ladies from DW were thoughtful enough to send pictures of their Advent by Candlelight and the fun fellowship outing to the local tree farm to make fresh, homemade wreaths. It was fun to see the pictures and made me homesick something fierce for them! 

It was also interesting to see how our current church decorates, prepares, and worships. It was a lot to soak in and I enjoyed watching it all unfold!

Our family all participated in music with Will playing the bongos and Zanna on the triangle for one of the choir songs!

After church on Christmas Eve, one couple invited the church members over for wine and apps and the evening was very relaxed as we enjoyed the company around us! After church on Christmas Day we enjoyed a Christmas potluck brunch. Later in the afternoon we were invited over to another member's home for games and more food. It was fun to play Mexican train and visit with church family.

My mother-in-law, Fran, was also visiting from Calgary and we enjoyed having her for Christmas week. 

Zanna had made Grandma a quillow (part quilt, part pillow) and was so excited to give it to her for Christmas. It was a hit!

Speaking of which .... Zanna made a last minute push to finish Will's quillow in the days/hours leading up to Christmas.

We have the church ladies' sewing group to thank for picking up where Auntie Karen left off! Zanna continues to practice and learn sewing skills she'll carry with her through life!

One gal even let her have a shot at the big quilting machine!

Not only was it interesting to observe how things were done at church, but it was also fun to have a new home to decorate for Christmas! 

 This was the tree with 9 strands of lights. The problem is that they kept blowing a fuse and Wayne was replacing them almost every night. I finally had had enough and one evening while he and Will were at the gym, I went to find the box from one of the lights to see how many strands were designed to link together. 4. Oops. I took every single ornament off, unwound the lights until 4 were left and then was too tired at that point to put the ornaments back on. Wayne and Will returned home and they didn't even notice that A. there were less than half the amount of lights on the tree that there was before and B. that there were no ornaments on it at all when we have about 1000. (or so it seems when I'm packing them all away)
Boys! 

The entryway

Will's nutcracker collection

Our little music corner with a mini tree decorated with music ornaments

We had a lot of fun having Will home for almost 4 weeks! He had an opportunity to help out at Camp Shiloh with their switching over to LED lights. He also was a great help in distributing the giant truckload mound of mulch we had delivered early in December. I was beginning to think it was multiplying behind our backs even as we were hauling it off! 

Zanna had her violin Christmas recital which she rocked. She ironically was given "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas". She really does miss the snow and cold (she claims) and the song originally was practiced as more of a dirge- haha! But she finally pepped it up and did a great job! 

As much as I miss Canada (I'm currently wearing my Canadian leggings and red Canada olympic sweatshirt - and I started my day with a Canadian mug of Red Rose tea) I am not at all missing the weather. We've had beautiful, coat-free, yard work friendly, hot tub evening, chat on the porch weather and I'm in love. We love to watch our cute, new neighbors from our perch in the backyard:

Those little ducks are so adorable. And cranes are hilarious to watch! Those stupid nature shows with the boring narrators I had to watch when I was younger is now my life and I'm the narrator! I make believe what they're saying to each other - with the voices (how would a crane sound if a crane talked? hmmm). 

I'm still a city girl at heart though so while Will was here and after our NewYears Party (oh, yeah, we had a party)....

... we took off for a few nights in Ft. Worth and explored the area.

outdoor water garden

visiting a museum featuring art from northern NewYork state

ha - he's the only one who would pose

playing gin rummy at Billy Bob's

For Christmas, Wayne and I exchanged some Texas themed presents to help us fit in more to these here parts. I received a gorgeous James Avery necklace with a Texas charm. Wayne picked out some boots and a belt!

We have a winner, folks! 

We were so blessed to have enjoyed our time together as a family with good health, sweet memories and new ones being made! Thank you, Jesus!