Thursday, February 15, 2018

Christmas 2017

I was hoping to get this post out before Valentine's Day, close but ...

We're very fortunate to always spend Christmas with the Scammells. For the past decade we've taken turns hosting the holiday. Last year, when I needed it most, we had the pleasure of being pampered at their home. This past holiday season, our first back in Canmore, we were hosts. I managed well, but certainly accepted help in that last minute crunch of getting the feast to the table.


After the feast, Christmas night

Meanwhile in Manila ...


The Koebel's Christmas family portrait
Amira (6) and Everett (2)

With the wood stoved removed we were able to put up the big tree ...


Avery decorated the tree pretty much single handedly


On Christmas Eve the reading of the old, pop-up Night Before Christmas is a long standing tradition in our family.


Larry and the crazy turkey hat with Denise and Avery reading The Book
Avery trying to guess what's inside the biggest gift on Christmas morning
Hats play a big part in our Christmas celebrations
See what I mean?
And then there is this one!
Looks good on Denise too
Nine and very sparkly in her new Christmas outfit


We opted to not make a gingerbread house in 2016 but our comeback in 2017 was pretty spectacular. Avery spent a few days with us while her parents moved the bulk of their possessions from Calgary to Saskatoon. Before her parents arrived she I got a head start making the dough pieces for the house plus a ton of cookies before her Mom and Dad joined us ...


Lots of industry here
An excessive amount of cookies!

I was all hands on the project Christmas Eve ...


Everyone worked hard at assembling and icing cookies

It's a feat to get all the pieces in place and keep them there until the icing sets
 
The finished product

The above photo was taken at the small gathering we hosted on Boxing Day at our condo association's club house. It was somewhat of send-off for the Scammells who moved to Saskatoon right after the New Year arrived.



2 comments:

  1. Between the hats, the decorated cookies and the gingerbread house you certainly did make a comeback for 2017! You are all to be commended on the ability to wear impossibly crazy hats with such aplomb, and Avery looks dynamite in her sparkly Christmas outfit! Love the photos of the 'Manila kids'; may they be with you for the next holiday! xo

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    Replies
    1. Many thanks Win.
      We'll be with the Manila gang for Easter!

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