Christmas living

December 27th

Nathan went to play golf with the boys and then we drove to Billingham to see Nana and Aunty Diane. It was nice to see them again so soon after visiting in October for Nana's birthday.

December 28th

Oh joy of joys, a day I had been looking forward to for so long, a day we had designated to be 'a total slob day!' It was great, it was slow, it was long in a really good way. The boys didn't get dressed all day, I showered and then got back into my pyjamas again. We watched lots of films (The Great expectations adaptation by the BBC was really good), the boys enjoyed playing with their new toys. Nathan didn't get out of bed until midday. The only thing I cooked were pancakes and Jamie's epic hot chocolate, the rest of the days eating was direct from the cupboards, fridge or sweet tin! It was a really, thoroughly enjoyable day :)

December 29th

Kind of a version of the day before only  we did slightly up the activity rate. Nathan ventured out for needed supplies, we all got dressed and I did cook as the missionaries came over for tea with Eric. Our current Missionaries are really great. Elder Balls is nearly homeward bound but still working hard, he has a down to earth personality. Elder Pezencsky is an extremely special missionary and brings with him a very special spirit. He suffers from muscular dystrophy which causes him balance issues and to talk slowly. I have never come across an Elder with the same level of disability as He has. Nathan said the first time he came to our house, straight from the MTC, it took him 10 minutes to take off his shoes. We are truly humble by the conviction of his testimony to serve His heavenly father by coming on a mission and preaching of Christ. He shared the spiritual though this evening and challenged us to share the book of Mormon with someone. We committed to this challenge. What is even more humbling about this Elder is that he  himself had only been a member of the church for 18 months prior to his call. He met the Elders at a bus stop in London, they invited him to read the book of Mormon and come to church he accepted and that Sunday he went and knew that he needed to go on a mission. He is as yet the only member in his family. Because of his disabilities he needed to demonstrate to the stake and area presidencies that he would  physically be able to cope with the demands of his mission and with his determination he was able to do so. We in Selby have been really blessed to have him serve here.   




December 30th

I went over to mum's to be fitted for my bridemaid's dress. I made a somewhat unsuccessful and rare trip into Leeds to try and find beads and a bra!! It was quite a treat though to be able to pop into a number of shops by myself :) In the evening I'd arranged a 'hen do' of sorts for Caroline. The Sarah's three: Hillary, Fenton and Walker, Angela (with amazing Lemon curd cheesecake and a divine oreo cheesecake which Gemma claimed 'she needed in her life again'), Julie,Jennie, Val, Gemma, Mum and I arrived in pyjamas. We presented Caroline with a pair of Mum's silky pyjamas and tied her hair in ribbons. Jennie had the opportunity for revenge and took her to collect the Chinese takeaway dressed this way. 

We played the Christmas card game and Tension  and Vital statistics with a few 'Stuart themed rounds' Sarah Fenton had brought plenty of Sing Star Games and the PS3 and we all bar Mum had a good sing and a good laugh too.

Charlie - the only male permitted to the attend the evening's event :)

Sarah total Sing Star :) 

Why I blog #4

In Monster Fun, Joseph had great fun running around up and down the slide over the obstacles as fast as he could. There were quite a few other children there including two little girls who couldn't make their minds up whether they wanted him to chase them or not. As they squealed running away from him. Nathan heard Joseph say    'It's OK, I won't hurt you, I'm just a friendly boy'

Christmas Round up

Christmas was lovely with a good mix of bustle and time to relax, time for our extended family and time for just us. Nathan was off for 11 days which was a treat in itself. Here is a run down on our Christmas living -

Christmas Eve -

We went over to Mum and Dad's for the traditional Christmas eve meal of potato pie and mince pies. Grandma Josie and Grandad were also there as they were spending Christmas there this year. We read the Christmas story from the scriptures and Mum had bought lots of Christmas books for the children to look at. We set off for home making some last minute deliveries to Maurice and Patricia and Lesley on our way. Dressed in new pyjamas and stockings hung, the boys went to bed without a fuss and slightly too tired to be overly excited. Nathan and I then had to work like troopers in our traditional Christmas Eve fashion to get everything ready for the next day. This is a tradition that each year I say I'd like to change for a more leisurely Christmas Eve through being more organised though as yet it has never happened :)

Our own baby Jesus :)

Not too happy with his manger 

He liked cuddles with Grandmother though

Emily and Joseph found a different baby Jesus and laid Him in a manger

Granne in pursuit of just one photo where they're all looking :)

Christmas Day -

I woke up first 7am (still pitch black outside). I tried to creep downstairs to put the lamb in the slow cooker, without waking the boys but 'eagle ears' woke up the second I hit the landing. 

We had a lovely time opening the stocking presents. I always love to see how happy they are with each small present. This year the squeal of excitement came when Joseph opened the Lewis car.

'What is it?'

Toy story stickers

'Nigel Gearsley :)'

'Lewis, I really wanted Lewis' :)

After stockings we went downstairs and the boys found a castle with knights, horses and even two ghosts and a garage - they were thrilled :)

We had just enough time for a quick breakfast and then we went to church. It was nice to go and be at church on Christmas Day and have time to sing the carols and hear about the joy that Christ's birth brings. 

When we came home, the boys and Nathan had time to play and I set to work on the dinner, accompanied by the carols on Classic FM. 

According to my own personal food critic Christmas dinner was a success :) We listened to the Queen's speech and I felt moved by her words especially this part -

"Although we are capable of great acts of kindness, history teaches us that we sometimes need saving from ourselves - from our recklessness or our greed.

"God sent into the world a unique person - neither a philosopher nor a general, important though they are, but a saviour, with the power to forgive.

"Forgiveness lies at the heart of the Christian faith. It can heal broken families, it can restore friendships and it can reconcile divided communities. It is in forgiveness that we feel the power of God's love."

 'Cheese' (Ben singing for his supper)

Truly a Christmas feast :)

Joseph's contribution to the Christmas Table decoration was one of Daddie's trainers :)

In the evening we went over to the McNee's and the boy were spoilt with gifts and attention - a lovely evening to a lovely day. Oh and Nathan gave me another gift by lying with the boys to get them to sleep so I could watch the Christmas Downton Abbey special in peace :)

Ben was really thrilled with the Woody outfit Grandad and Grandma got him - especially the hat.

Boxing Day


We had a nice easy morning, Joseph enjoyed going from room to room getting hi Uncles and Aunties to do things for him or lend him things. In particular he was very fond of Uncle Tom's Mac book for watching youtube clips of Lightning McQueen and his iphone 4 for playing 'Angry Birds'

I had fun being creative in the kitchen making the Turkey Cranberry Wreath I'd tasted at the Pampered Chef parties ready for the 'Hillary, Harrison party'


The party was its good traditional self ; a great buffet Mum style; lots of relatives crossing 4 generations; Dad's games (Christmas card game and treasure hunt) lots of gift giving and receiving  and a great dollop of noise - good times :)

Christmas making

Lorraine Pascale's Brown Sugar, Marshmallow, Chocolate Fudge (recipe here) in Christmas cookie cutter  (idea from pintrest here) - teacher gifts

Jamie Oliver's Epic Hot Chocolate mix  (recipe here) with chocolate fudge 

A bought magnetic noticeboard and made button magnets to match the decor of her bedroom, for Alice. 

Dotty infinity scarf (tutorial found here)- also for  Aunty Alice

Had to bribe Joseph to model the doll/bear carrier I made for Emily as you can see he was thrilled :)I used the pattern from the  amazing Oliver & S book.

My favourite make of the year were these cute bear hats also from the Oliver & S book. I made 4. One for Isabelle in a cream fleece with floral lining. A brown one for Jack made from one of Nathan's old jumpers lined with fabric from a stripey top and two from a £4 wool jumper which I felted and have enough fabric left to make two sets of mittens and a pair of wrist warmers for me.

So far, I have only managed to get Ben to wear it when he was asleep .

Christmas tree decorations made from grandkid's hand prints in salt dough - I think they ended up looking a little like doves too.

A happy hedgehog softee using the pattern from See Kate Sew  (found here )for Charlie. (Fabric from a thrifted £1 shirt :)) I added two little bells inside from Grandma Josie.

I also made 2 sets of the 12 days of Christmas garland I do each year for our parents (one photo to open each day of the grandchildren leading up to christmas, which I then make into a calender for the year ahead) and three photo calenders for the great grandparents.

And I still have Sarah's Christmas garland to finish and a belated birthday bag for Gemma - glad I have understanding sister in laws!!

O come little children.

Today we're having a slob day - I can't tell you how much I've been looking forward to this day. We have no plans, we aint going nowhere, we aint getting the kids dressed, we are going to eat easy ( so far the boys have had a breakfast of smarties )and we will watch as much TV as we please - no guilt, none :)


It's 10:26 we're still in bed, Nathan is sleeping and I'm going to do some catch up posts. The first being Joseph's Christmas show with Nursery, back on the 8th.

 The Nursery performed a selection of Christmas songs and poems. One of the things I like about Joseph's school is that it's a church school, so doesn't have to shy away from celebrating the real meaning of Christmas. During the show there was a mix of carols and Christmas songs.

One thing to note is that Joseph had to  be on the end of a row close to Miss Taylor - I wonder why :) 

However, they needn't have worried, our boy did us more than proud he sang with real gusto, loud and clear. At times he couldn't contain his energy and just wanted to dance, which he did. During When Santa got stuck up the chimmney when everyone else had sung 'atchoo, atchoo, atchoo' Joseph carried on solo    ' when Santa got stuck up the chimmney, he began to shout' which drew a chuckle from the audience and tear of laughter from our eyes.

I loved the way he was really concentrating when singing the 'lullala' song 

 It's amazing what things they learn from songs. Now when Joseph has food which is too hot, he describes it as 'steaming hot' because they sang a song about Christmas pudding which was steaming hot. When you ask him where Jesus was born he will answer in 'Bethlehem's stall'

As soon as the performance was finished that piece of tinsel was off his head and handed to Miss Taylor!!

An angel in the making :)

They finished the show with this poem:

O come little children, o come one and all

O come to the manger, in Bethlehem's stall

And see what our Father on this holy night

Has sent us from heaven, for our pure delight

I'm looking forward to next year to see him in his nativity :) However, next year Ben will be involved in the nursery performance and I'm not sure I'm ready for that.

This is why I blog... #3

Today we watched Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (the original - the best version),Joseph misheard Willy Wonka's name and instead asked:

Is that Filly Fonka? 

Daddy, is that Filly Fonka?

lol :)

Joseph's prayers

Dear Heavenly Father

Thank you for the potatoes, crisps, lettuce, cheese, tuna, beans and what's that corn?

'Yes'

Thank you for the corn, please bless it. In the name of Jesus Christ

Amen

Dear Heavenly Father

Thank you for the cereal, milk and a spoon and a bowl.

Please bless it in the name of Jesus Christ Amen

Bishop Goring whose advice was to be specific in prayer would be very pleased :)