MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!!!

2 more sleeps (as the kids would say)! I believe that we're all ready for the big event. 2 school concerts, 1 Sunday School concert, 1 Cantata, shopping till we dropped, wrapping, baking, cleaning, decorating,... can I sleep through Christmas? I'm exhausted. :)
My mom and sister arrive tomorrow. We'll all head in for the Christmas Eve service. Then we'll settle in for a long winter's night and be up nice and early to get that Turkey in the oven. Mmmm...
I've told the kids I don't want to see them before 7am. Perhaps they'll sleep in? Yah, right. They're pretty excited.
My uncle comes for dinner. Then Aunt Shirley, Lorna and family come late afternoon for supper. It's a lot of fun. Christmas wouldn't be the same without them. I've spent Christmas day with them my whole life.
Then, of course, we're off to Randall's house for Boxing Day. Can't wait to have all 24 of us celebrating in one spot. The neices and husbands are starting to arrive and it'll be great to have everyone (except Tetcy's) together. We'll miss you Tetcy and Ray and Craig and Joe.
It's late and tomorrow promises to be a busy day... so I'll say goodbye.
Merry Christmas to all and to all a goodnight.

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas...

My sister Kathy made the kids an advent calendar. They are having so much fun opening each little present every day. (Things like chocolates, Christmas foam shapes that open in water, candy canes, ornaments, christmas stamps, ...) The other two pictures are of the top of the fireplace and the top of the piano.

We enjoyed Nicolle's first band concert. I was amazed at how much they can learn in 3 months. After the concert we drove around North Rustico and enjoyed all the christmas lights. It's quite a show down there. LOTS of lights.

And here's a picture of Jason's friends that were at his school Birthday Party. We're looking forward to the family party on Sunday afternoon.

We're also looking forward to Tineke's party tomorrow evening. HAPPY BIRTHDAY TINEKE!!!

I made fudge today for pakje night. Mmmm... three flavors. I can't wait to share it with you all. Hope you like fudge. :)

This can't be long... Marten's waiting to start a movie. :) Who would have guessed?!?

So, enjoy this final week countdown til Christmas. I have 2 more concerts, cooking and present wrapping to go. It's such a fun time of year. I love all the hustle and bustle.

Love to all, Karen

Busy Times

December 9th already? Sure goes fast when you're having fun. We've celebrated 2 snow storms since the last posting. What a winter wonderland on PEI. Tons of snow, COLD weather, school cancellation, and lots of playing in the snow (for the kids anyway -- I do hate being cold).
I've been successful at my Christmas shopping and believe that one more trip to town should finish it. Marten's my holdup this year. I'm not sure what to get him. ??? MMMM.... I hate to disappoint.
Yesterday was Jason's birthday party for his school friends. Nine boys are very loud, I might add, when they are together and excited. This year's theme was car racing. We had checkered flags decorating the driveway and garage; a "Welcome Race Fans" sign in the entryway and tons more flags and red, black and white balloons in the house. Looked great with all the christmas decorations. haha! All games were centered around racing and the boys had a hoot. I did too but I was so tired afterwards. Jason was so happy and that's what it's all about. We're doing the family party on the 16th for him since he'll be in school on his actual birthday. We have treat bags put aside for Caleb and Aaron and he's excited to play the race games with them.
We had a nice time at Alice's birthday party on Thursday night and are looking forward to Tineke's this Saturday. We'll be partied out. Is that possible? Naw... it's too much fun. Birthdays, Christmas (with my family), Boxing day with the Nieuwhofs, Marten's birthday is not long after that.... What fun!
The school concerts are coming up too. Nicolle has her band concert this Wednesday night and the Christmas concert for both of them is next Tuesday. Our Sunday School concert is on the 16th (Nicolle is playing a flute solo in it). I'm excited to see my children smiling and doing their best up on stage.
Our church service was awesome today. I love to hear Christmas music. We had special visitors that sang "O Holy Night" which is my FAVORITE Christmas song (it gives me goosebumps) and Stewart Lewis had a great sermon. He compared Moses' visit with God in the burning bush to Mary's visit with God to inform her of the virgin birth. Both were favored by God and honored with a request to do his bidding. Both turned from their own plans and wishes and did God's will, therefore pleasing Him. Will we turn from our own life's plans and do God's will? He's asking us to! [I'm not a preacher and I hope I got the gist of this down correctly. I never heard Moses compared to Mary before and thought it was so cool. I pray that I don't turn God down when He asks me to do things!]
On that note, God Bless. I love you all! Karen