Christmas Celebrations

We had a great Christmas at our house this year.  We started our celebrations with a family Christmas Eve.  In the afternoon we took the boys to the matinee of "Arthur Christmas".  Very fun!  It was a great way to kick off the weekend.  We came home and had Singapore noodles - one of Jason's favorites - for supper.  It's from one of the "Company's Coming" cookbooks and if you haven't tried it you should - very yummy!!

SINGAPORE NOODLES

1/4 cup oil

4 - 6 garlic cloves

2 tbsps ginger

Fry in wok.

Then add

2 cups chicken chunks

1/3 cup green onions

1 tsp crushed red pepper

1/4 cup oyster sauce

1 1/2 tbsp curry powder

2 tsp soy sauce

In separate pot cook pasta (linguine / penne / rotini etc.) in 2 quarts of water and 2 tsp of salt

Drain pasta and mix with chicken mixture.

After supper the boys opened up their Christmas Eve presents.  Lego and jammies of course!

The boys played with their lego for a bit and then put out cookies for Santa, laid out their stockings and then they were off to bed.

After the boys went to bed Jason and I finished wrapping a few gifts.  I made cinnamon buns for Christmas morning (note for next time - do not over stuff pan), they were delicious but they were definitely trying to escape the pan during the cooking process.

I carried on one of my dad's traditions and put out candy all over the house to be eaten Christmas morning.  It made me happy!

Christmas morning arrived early with Ashton waking at 6:15 a.m.  We held him off until 6:45 a.m. and then we were up to see what Santa had brought.  As it was Sunday and church was at 9:00 a.m. we had decided to only open stockings and the gifts from Santa for the boys before church.  All the other gifts were under the tree in the living room to be opened after church.

While sitting in front of the fireplace Ashton noticed the fireplace guard door was opened a little.  When he looked inside he noticed something quite exciting.  I however was quite horrified how dusty it was back there.

The boys played for a bit, we had a cinnamon bun and then were off to church.  The boys sat with our good friends the Tsumagari's as Jason was speaking and I was a wee bit busy.  I led the primary children, accompanied the ward choir for 3 pieces, played the organ for 5 congregation hymns and lastly accompanied 2 special numbers.  It made for a very quick sacrament meeting - but I was glad when it was over.

Back home we opened presents under the big tree in the living room.  We were all extremely spoiled and loved everything we got. 

My big gift of the day was my new camera.  Isn't she beautiful!!

Jason's big present was an Art Easel with oil, water and acrylic paints.

The boys big gifts were ... wait for it ... you'll be shocked ... LEGO!!

 

After opening presents we headed to Cardston to see Jason's family.  Jason's mom, his brother Mitch, sisters Kailee and Nicole and their families were there and we had a lovely Christmas dinner of ham, potatoes, salad, buns, etc.  We had a great time visiting and enjoying each other's company.  Boxing Day we woke up had breakfast and then headed to my mom's to see my family.  Everyone was home - mom, Dave, Char, Jared, Amber, Rachel, Jared and all the kids.  The cousins had a great time together and we had another delicious meal of turkey with all the fixings!!

After dinner we opened gifts.  We all got spoiled again!

So fun to spend Christmas with family.  Merry Christmas!!