I really don't know how Christmas sneaks up on me the way it does every year. This year was no exception, with the crazy rush of work and wrapping and singing the week before and then suddenly it was the 23rd and we were on our way to Aurora.
We did manage a family visit to Frost before leaving town. We were all so busy in December that I did not get nearly my quota of festive family time.
On the 23rd we packed all morning, I sang a concert, and then off we went. It was a good decision, this Christmas away. It distracted from the fact that there was no need to "split" the holiday this year. My heart is feeling the lack of it for sure.
But it felt good and normal to settle in at Claire's house, and enjoy the full day there on Christmas Eve.
We spent the day walking at Long Point and going out for a fabulous lunch with Jamie and Casey, and frosting cookies of course.
Christmas Eve service at the United Ministry is always a joy. Utterly gorgeous in the candlelight, and full of all of my favorite carols. I enjoyed singing with the little choir and showing off on a few descants I learned this year with COC.
Christmas eve Magic.
Christmas morning magic.
It was a decadent Christmas and the kids were thrilled with their individual treats (upgraded airpods and xbox controller for the boy, Ipad Pro for the girl) before they even opened the new Ps5.
The sun came out for us in the afternoon so we took advantage of a 60 degree Christmas by taking the dog for a swim at the lake lot.
Finished up our time in Aurora with a lovely visit at Betsey and Peter's house, and another outing with Jamie and Casey. Three days well spent, full of cookies and gifts and family and friends, as they should be.
Back at home Santa left some gifts as usual-- treats he delivered on behalf of Auntie Bec and Vovo :), and a couple of lifejackets because the kiddos (well, their dad really) are getting a boat this summer!
Jack came down with a nasty virus the day after Christmas so those liminal, amorphous days between holidays were even more sedate than usual around our place. Some cleaning, some work at Huntmere, some relaxing, lots of gaming on the PS5. New Year's celebrations were laid back too, with a small but highly entertaining party at Melinda and Will's ( which involved a drawn out social experiment of sorts involving traditions and jello molds and family spoons...)and then a quiet ball drop in the living room at midnight with our still-sick boy. Hoping that 2024 continues in a more healthy way for him!
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