Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Tree Decorating at Nana's

Hi there, I'm doing a happy dance.  Very thankful for our neighbor who got rid of our virus on our laptop...woohh...so thankful!

Now...every year since my dad has passed away, we have gone over to help my mum decorate her Christmas tree.  This year we were running a little bit later than normal. My oldest brother, Neal, is in charge of getting the tree up and the lights on before we call come over. This year Mum bought a new tree, but it wasn't quite big enough so my sister-in-law, Cindy, and mum went out to get a new one!  We all made it over on Sunday to help decorate.  The kids love it!  It's so nice that both of my brothers live in town so all of the cousins on my side of the family truly are growing up together.  There's definitely an older crew (Ryan, Madeleine and Elizabeth) and the younger crew (Jonathon, Olivia, Collin and Marcel).  You can tell by the photos they love being together!

Normally, the Christmas crackers don't come out until Christmas Eve, but Collin asked Nana to do them this  weekend too. And what's a nana to do?  You can't tell your grandchildren no!  So... we had our Christmas crackers a bit early.  Don't you love my little pirate Marcel showing off the present from his cracker?  And the picture of Collin and Olivia below makes me laugh.  He looks very innocent...but don't you worry, he lives up to the nickname his PopPop gave him...he's our "gentle devil."  He may be quiet about it, but he definitely knows how to find trouble!  Wouldn't trade him for anything though.  Oh how I love our family!


Of course, I wouldn't want to leave you without a card!  This will be given to a friend with a little gift inside!
I'm entering this for the current Hero Arts sketch challenge...and for "Aimes" Challenge...I mean the Passion for PaperTrey Challenge...wink, wink, Aimes!  Of course you had to have a green challenge!  How could we not?!

15 comments:

Arlene said...

Such a sweet story...one that your boys and their cousins will cherish in the future. Love your card...simple and beautiful! :)

Karen B. said...

Beautiful card Lynn, and what great memories to treasure.

Jinny Newlin said...

Such great pics, Lynn! Looks like so much fun! And I love your stampy trio of Christmas trees, too!

Barb said...

Hi Lynn! Love your pretty take on the Hero Arts sketch!

I really enjoyed looking at your photos of all that family fun! My family is lucky in the same way - all the cousins have grown up together. To this day, they are the best of friends and really enjoy being with each other. Wishing you a wonderful Christmas with your beautiful family! Hugs to you! :)

Maureen said...

Ah, how fun is this? A little preChristmas dinner....we do crackers too on Christmas...and the hats are always so funny!! I swear we a "sister" families!! LOL Up early to head downtown first thing before the crowds start. Will try to take a picture of the tree for you :) What a sweet tree card...had to laugh as well...love when a challenge is not really a challenge, but a joy :) 3 more days and really, with lunches, etc...really only 2.5 :) Hugs!

Emily (stampingout on SCS) said...

Looks like a fun time at the tree decorating! Your boys are so cute. Love the music score trees on your card, Lynn. :)

sandie said...

oh you all look like you are having so much fun-love to you all.
Love the music paper you used for the tree x

Els said...

:) Loved reading about your family and your traditions. Enjoy the holidays with your family and have a very merry one!
Love your card!
Els.

Judith said...

Hello Lynn,
Wohoo, the pictures of your great sunday at Nana's place are so nice and funny. I can imagine how your mother cracked, when her grandson asked to do the Christmas crackers, haha (-: Yes, that's what grandparents are for, aren't they?

I wish you and your lovely familie a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year in good health!

Thank you for your nice comments on my blog. I appreciate them!

Have a nice evening!
Judith

Jenny said...

Hi Lynn, Wow you've been busy since I last had time to visit!!! I've been smiling at your sweet family photos and swooning over your gorgeous cards whilst catching up :)
Sounds like you've got Christmas well and truly wrapped up and I just wanted to wish you a wonderful Christmas holiday, I'm sure you and the family will have a blast, and best wishes for the New Year too :)
Jenny x

janmjax said...

Merry Christmas Lynn!I grew up with lots of cousins around and remember how much fun it was! Most of my family are back home in Scotland so my daughter has unfortunately missed out on having cousins nearby. We do our crackers on Christmas Eve when lots of friends come over. It's always fun to introduce that tradition to people who have never seen crackers and make them wear their hats! =)

Jen W. said...

Thanks for sharing the pics - looks like a great time at grandma's! :) And I love those HA trees.

Aimes said...

Looks like your family is having so much fun this holiday season, Lynn!!!
Tee Hee "Aimes" challenge LOL!!! Yup, you know me SO well :) Thank you so much for joining in 'my' challenge on A Passion for Papertrey! :D
Hugs,
Aimes
x

Aimes said...

Looks like your family is having so much fun this holiday season, Lynn!!!
Tee Hee "Aimes" challenge LOL!!! Yup, you know me SO well :) Thank you so much for joining in 'my' challenge on A Passion for Papertrey! :D
Hugs,
Aimes
x

lisa arana said...

Such a lovely family Lynn! Hope you have the most wonderful Christmas.

And a lovely card as well. Those trees are beautiful.