Christmas week.

A very Merry Christmas to you all! I hope your week has been blessed with peace and joy. We had a nice week celebrating our Lord's birth, doing a few winter activities, and relaxing. Michael enjoyed having both his parents around for a whole week, as Andrew was off work!

On Christmas Eve we placed our gifts under the tree, did a few chores, and had a light salmon dinner before I had to go sing vigil and midnight Mass.

Andrew cleaned the double oven for me (which was a chore because I had let it go too long for the sad fact that this oven doesn't have a self-cleaner setting) with his own concoction of a natural cleaner: baking soda, vinegar and lemon juice. Thanks, hubby!

I tried a new bread recipe which is simply delicious; raisin rosemary olive oil bread.

Christmas Day, we attended morning Mass, paid a little visit to the manger, then went over to a family's house for brunch.

We returned in the early afternoon and opened our gifts...

Michael enjoyed tearing the paper...

...and examining a new toy.

Then Mama and Papa opened a few gifts.

Hiking poles.

Wow - I was surprised!

Michael's main gift - the Radio Flyer Walker Wagon. We have yet to get some good pictures of him using it, but he figured it out right away and it's so cute to see him pushing it around.

The days following Christmas were filled with a sense of peace and quiet and we continued the celebration with a few fun family outings.

Christmas light viewing both inside and outside the car followed by coffee drinks and dessert...

 The downtown Sheraton hosted an amazing gingerbread house exhibit. This year the creations were based on fairy tales...very intricate and creative craftsmanship! 

Brunch out preceded a trip to the impressive Snoqualmie Falls.

We then toured the beautiful Salish Lodge that sits atop the falls (I want to go back for their spa someday) then headed farther up the highway in search of snow...success! We are keeping an eye out for some sledding materials and so are also on the lookout for good sledding locations. Love living so close to a winter wonderland!

I am thankful for this quality family time we had together before Michael and I leave (early this morning) for Dallas to visit my family. Andrew unfortunately can't accompany us due to work, but I am thankful that my family will be able to see Michael at this stage and that I can spend at least some of the holiday season with them. And I am always so excited when I get to see my dearest mother. This time will be extra special as my sister from FL will be there with her family including the newest 2 month old addition!

Well, I must get out the door to catch that plane...laundry is done, the monthly bills are paid, meals are in the freezer for hubby (and I must admit, a small list of possible to-do items was drawn up for him...if he finds himself so lonely and bored without us, he can occupy his time with those! ;) Wishing you all a most happy new year and completion of the Christmas season. Rejoice, He is here! God bless us one and all.

Making a little Christmas cheer.

This week has been busier than usual in the kitchen...(excuse my morning hair.)

 Starting some bread dough early in the morning. Michael is interested in all the machines in the kitchen that make such strange noises.

And loves being up at Mama's level for some attention.

Sweet breads for our 2 wonderful priests.

Peppermint fudge for Andrew's work colleagues. 

Sending out a few cards...

wrapping a few presents.

 Michael kept busy alternately visiting me in the kitchen or at the desk, and reading his books, sometimes out loud - so cute to hear.

Turning into such a sweet boy.

O Key of David, O Sceptre of the house of Israel, controlling at your will the gate of heaven: Come, break down the prison walls of death for those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and lead your captive people into freedom.

I'll be taking a little break from here to celebrate with my little family. I have a bit of baking to do yet, 5 Masses to sing this weekend and we are invited to a parish family's home for Christmas brunch. The rest of the time will be spent napping relaxing, watching Christmas movies, enjoying some of the holiday cheer around Seattle, and maybe playing in the snow. Wishing you all a most peaceful last few days of Advent and a joyous Christmastide celebrating our Savior's birth! 

Over the weekend...

We had a very busy and fruitful past weekend...lots of events that reminded us to be thankful for our lives and for the gifts of faith, hope, and charity.

1) Sorrowing over the loss of the those in CT, especially the little ones. Tears flowed easily on Friday. I can't imagine what the parents are going through...having those little beds empty at night, silent playrooms, little clothes and accessories unused...hard reminders, especially so near Christmas. Praying that our Blessed Mother wraps these suffering parents and families within her comforting arms and teaches them to offer their sorrow to our Lord. I have faith that these precious ones will be having a heavenly Christmas.
♥ Charlotte ♥ Daniel ♥ Olivia ♥ Josephine ♥ Ana ♥ Dylan ♥ Madeleine ♥ Catherine ♥ Chase ♥ Jesse ♥ James ♥ Grace♥ Emilie ♥ Jack ♥ Noah ♥ Caroline ♥ Jessica ♥ Avielle ♥ Benjamin ♥ Allison ♥

"May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy! He that goes forth weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, bringing his sheaves with him."  Psalm 126:5-6

2) Friday morning, I met my RCIA candidate for morning Mass, then had her over to breakfast and a chat to get to know her better. What a story she has, and a painful journey to find truth. Reminded me to give thanks for the protective environment in which I was raised and for the protection of our Lord. We could have all struggled along similar paths if it were not for His grace and mercy. Candice is truly a testimony to the greatness of God's forgiveness and the beauty of hope - she herself has forgiven much and is completely at peace.

3)

Friday evening we commenced our first 'Young Married's' group at St. Mark's. 3 other couples joined us for prayer, dinner and fruitful discussion. It was encouraging to see one couple who is coming back to the Church be so excited over the tenets of our faith and thirsting for a more fruitful life. Thankful to be able to do what little we can to help educate people's minds and change hearts.

4) Saturday morning we put up our Christmas tree, which had been patiently resting in its bucket outside since Thanksgiving. :) This is a very different style tree than we have had in past years (we are used to the big bushy shapes) but I love our little forest tree and think it is perfect for our living room.

Michael has enjoyed seeing Christmas lights while we drive about, and so I think he was fascinated to see some in his play area.

After giving the tree a few timid touches, he has been happy to leave it alone.

We did listen to a little Christmas music while decorating. I think we shall make this a tradition for the third weekend of Advent. Gaudete! 

5) On Sunday we hosted a small thank-you party for the volunteer catechists. It was nice to get to know them a little better and have a mini evaluation of how the first semester of catechesis went for everyone. It is good to hear their excitement about the curriculum and share the progress of our little students. Sounds like everyone is looking forward to a little holiday break.

6) My sister Catherine came up for a little visit Sun-Tues. Michael loves seeing his auntie and gave her lots of kisses. We had a nice time chatting and doing some Christmas shopping. Didn't get any pictures though!

7) I finally contracted a cold and have been vigilantly fighting it off with echinacea and Vit. C and feel better, but it has passed on to Michael, so I plan to keep my treatments up in the hopes of transferring them through my breast milk. Hope we are all feeling better for Christmas.

This week shall be filled with baking, wrapping, gifting, penning Christmas cards, and working on music (did I mention I joined the church choir?) Along with prayerfully waiting in joyful anticipation of His birth! 

"O Adonai, and Ruler of the house of Israel, Who didst appear unto Moses in the burning bush, and gavest him the law in Sinai, come to redeem us with an outstretched arm!"