Pre-Christmas Happenings ~ Dec.12 -24th

Christmas-time is a wonderful time of year to get together with close friends and family, which we were thankful to do. We started off the season with a wonderful Christmas banquet with our friends from where we used to attend church in Langley. Sadly, I only got these couple of photos of Nora, who was enamored with climbing the stairs continually. She looks like she's practicing some crazy dance moves, as in the style of "Elaine" from Seinfeld...

Here Nora and I are visiting friend Donna Lynn, who introduced the family's latest pets to us. Nora was thrilled to meet the kittens, but I can't say the same about them. Let's just say it was a short visit before they had to "go to sleep". Then, Nora kept reminding us to be quiet.

Why don't the kitties like me?

With time off from school happening earlier in December this year, we seemed to have more time for daytime visits with friends. Anna and Julie came over for lunch one day...

The girls were always looking different directions for photos, but they're both so cute together. Nora gets a little possessive at times, as she is when any little ones visit.

Children born in this digital age are quick to learn that they can see themselves on the camera...

No, Nora isn't tackling Anna at the front door but rather giving her a farewell hug...

A rare site at my house, a gathering of little girls. These blondies are the sweet children of my nursing school friends, Laura and Heather. It's always a treat to get together.

Laura's new dog came to visit as well. Rosie's staring him down... even if she is just a big chicken.

Laura & Nora

 One of Nora's favourite things to do now is to help bake. If she detects any activity like that about to happen, suddenly she is pushing a chair alongside to join me.

Perhaps it's because she's figured out that there are tasty treats to sample when it's all done!

Auntie Darlene came by on Christmas Eve afternoon to spoil us once again. Nora is equating her visits with good things. We all enjoyed Darlene's baking...

Here's a special Christmas Mickey mouse for Nora, how fun!

"Reading" about Baby Jesus with Darlene... just like when we used to teach preschool Sunday school together.

Christmas Eve we headed off to church...

The candles lit at the front of the auditorium were very pretty, but definitely not child-friendly. Scott and the boys were on high alert keeping Nora off the stage! (I was playing the carols...)

Merry Christmas, Mom and Dad!

 A wonderful gift... a second Christmas with Nora. Sweet dreams, everyone!