Christmas Day ~ 2012

It seems like awhile ago now, but it's fun to look back at the pictures and realize that yes, we had a good day with much to be thankful for. Not just the gifts that people were hoping for or not, but moreso being with all our family members and having peace in our home, and a shared time of celebrating the reason for our hope in the birth of Christ. (We missed Ann, Steve and kids in Winnipeg and Nana being home sick for the day, though.) Also, with the amount of turkeys we've cooked in our home maybe up to 5 now, we had the cookbooks out on the counter in the morning following each step to the letter. So, we were very thankful to not see any pink meat in there when the turkey was sliced. :) We hope that you also had a special day with family, reflecting on the gifts in your life that God has blessed you with.

Off to Christmas Eve service...

Finally ready to open gifts at 11 am! Boys still don't look too awake...

Trying out the "Screaming Monkey" slingshot

Can't resist a new dress for Nora, and "My Little Pony" pj's!

For the hidden dancer in Thomas...

Entertainment options for Scott

 Yeah for recyclable bags!

Grandma and Grandpa look on, sharing in the fun.

A sweet moment with Nora

She enjoyed opening all of her gifts.

Mom is ready for walking...

Dad, too. True love ...

The gift of the day, a twin doll bunk. Just like growing up,
Dad is quick to put the new toys together for everyone.

 Not long after, Nora has loaded up the dolls, complete with  "blankets".
Was so sweet to see her nurturing side come out.

Grandpa babysits doll "Paul" for Nora...

Strange kitchen gifts for James'  new "Hope Chest"...
that would be made of Rubbermaid. :)

Getting Charles ready for his trip to Guatemala...

Just in case Thomas ever gets the opportunity to ski. Regardless he
 wore the goggles most of the day as he thought they were pretty cool.

The original Newsham smile...

Mom is surprised by the necklace she bought herself. :)
I buy my own gifts now, too... must be a "Mom" thing.

A beautiful Mulan doll from Scott's co-workers. How kind!

Immediately after gift-opening, Nora was giving her dolls their lunch.

A last gift before naptime... Nora was happy with her dollhouse, a place to
 put the furniture that Auntie Ann gave her  on her birthday.
Something to grow into in the months ahead.

A full house for a wonderful dinner.

Our two Dads enjoy talking together.

Merry Christmas!

Gifts for cousins Kailey and Kieren

Family friend Joan enjoys her gifts, too. :)

The only hitch of the day was getting called at dinner time to work night shift. (at 11pm) I reluctantly agreed, motivated by double-time, asking if someone else called back to give them the shift. The staffing employee just laughed in my ear, and I did end up going. I headed off for a nap after 8 pm, and at least I missed out on hand-washing all the china and glassware from dinner. :) Thanks, Scott... Next year, I'll be sure to book it off ahead of time!

A Karpiuk Christmas ~ Dec. 23rd

Sunday night we gathered at Mom and Dad's home to celebrate an early Christmas dinner together. It was a lovely time that we all enjoyed. With making the turkey at our home this year for Christmas, Scott and I wondered how we could possibly repeat such a delicious meal in two days? As it turned out, this was the only turkey Mom ended up having, as unfortunately she was sick and stayed home for Christmas on the couch. :(  Good thing we celebrated early. Thanks Mom and Charlene for such a great evening.

Mom always sets a beautiful table.

 James with Papa, watching football together.

Charlene and Mom take a break from the kitchen.

Celebrating the best of life, family together.

With Stewart, both of us having worked today!

Thomas gets some Uncle-time in...

The dazzling tree...

Doug and Louise

Scott and his big brother.

Julie with her boyfriend, Stuart.

 Karpiuk cousins Cameron and Myles, with girlfriend Emily.

Nana and Charles relaxing together.

 Trying to answer Scott's Christmas quiz...
 they definitely look related with that expression!

Who knew lounge chairs could be so entertaining?

Nora's First Concert ~ Dec 20th

Having missed the previous week of preschool due to illness, we knew that Nora didn't have a chance at knowing the words to the Christmas songs her class would be singing. We did anticipate her participating at some level  just the same, but our girl had a bit of stage fright in the end. She looked very sweet, however... until the donkey cap was added to her head...

It's hard for any girl to look thrilled wearing this on her head!

Nora told me today that she didn't sing because she couldn't see her Mommy and Daddy... we were in the second row! Our memorable moments were of her saying loudly, " I need to go to the bathroom", and then sneezing loudly with an accompanying  2 inch strand of yellow "discharge" hanging from her nose... all on video. Before we could jump up, the teacher was there with a kleenex to do the honours. Next year has got to be better, as we all consoled ourselves that she just turned 3. I just hope there are no donkeys next time...

Grandma and Grandpa were good to come out for her 12 minute performance, and they got her smiling once again.

Once home, our little diva was back to her usual self, thankfully with no sneezing on the piano. :)

We ended the day well with baking together. You can see who licked the spoon.

There's a grin that's contagious, in a good way!

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!