Pre-Christmas Fun ~ Dec. 6 - 19th

Happy New Year! So much for blogging in live-time, it feels like I was taken out to live on a lost island or something where I briefly lost touch with reality. :) Maybe not that bad, but there is something about Christmas time that really wipes out the woman of the house. Or maybe it's just me?! Partly it was the combination of working more shifts than usual during the last three weeks of December, which is unfortunately the reality of working casual. The shifts come up when the other RNs want the time off or become ill, as in our recent flu outbreak around here. We also had some sickness, taking turns from one family member to the next, with Nora taking the longest to bounce back. Life carried on however, and here are some highlights of the season. We trust that you also had a meaningful Christmas, and we look forward to getting back in touch with you. Hopefully you're not having any of these kinds of issues... :)

Lewis started out the concert series at Middle School in style, with his classmates having a mandatory edict by the music teacher to wear the scarf colour of her choosing. You were probably wondering why Lewis would otherwise start posing with a scarf, although deep down I don't think he minded too much. He ushered people into the concert, which was sweet to see.

 The children did look very nice in their assorted scarves... I'm afraid that's all I recall!

The Christmas tree and decorating happened in stages, with Nora enjoying the process the most. Lewis generally helps out, but I think I'll start training Nora next year seeing as she will be around the next 15 years or so to do it for me in my old age! (I jest, as I'm too picky to give up my decor arrangements...)

The obligatory gingerbread house project at school...
The kids only do it for the candy, right?!

With Scott having purchased a new camera on Black Friday, the boys were quick to start playing with it. They enjoy this "bowl" feature the most... not exactly flattering!

An early Christmas gift from Stewart and Charlene, they treated the Karpiuk family to a Christmas Carol Cruise on Burrard Inlet. We had a good time around our table, especially now that Stewart and Charlene are living down here and we can celebrate special times together. The food was yummy, the caroling "interesting", and we never quite warmed up... but the conversations were fun. The goal is to try to make Doug smile "bigger". :)

Stewart, Charlene, Louise and Doug

Here's something I bought for Nora, but it just wasn't transforming her behaviour like I had hoped. Rosie wasn't too impressed either.

A brief sprinkling of snow brought out the natural instinct of every child to go outside in it, even though it was snowing slush at that point. I think half the fun for Nora was dressing up in her rarely used winter clothes.

Lewis, the quintessential big brother, was okay to supervise Nora.

He also tolerated making a gingerbread house with her, despite his inclination to
 make it exactly like the picture on the box. Thanks Megumi, for saving the day!