Lockhart Christmas at the Elmhurst
For the Lockhart side of the family, we did Christmas lunch at the Elmhurst Inn. I think I've mentioned before that this is the new tradition for the Lockhart family as its size and geographic spread a lot larger than the Rinns and the Elmhurst makes for the perfect location to satisfy everyone who comes with no clean up or food preparation required. The food and service there are great and we can just relax and visit worryfree.
This year, Aunt Mary challenged me to make stockings for the newest Lockhart generation (now that I was an Aunt and since my cousin Kath dropped the ball) so I had been working away with my glue gun and felt to create individualized stockings for the 7 great-grandchildren. You can see below some of the results. I was pretty pleased with myself and the kids liked them too!
Grandma Lockhart had a good 90th Christmas and she was all smiles as everyone took some one-on-one time to chat with her.
Highlight of the gathering - I got my own Aunt Lynda holiday baking plate since I am now a big girl and moved out on my own!
This year, Aunt Mary challenged me to make stockings for the newest Lockhart generation (now that I was an Aunt and since my cousin Kath dropped the ball) so I had been working away with my glue gun and felt to create individualized stockings for the 7 great-grandchildren. You can see below some of the results. I was pretty pleased with myself and the kids liked them too!
Grandma Lockhart had a good 90th Christmas and she was all smiles as everyone took some one-on-one time to chat with her.
Highlight of the gathering - I got my own Aunt Lynda holiday baking plate since I am now a big girl and moved out on my own!
Visiting The Linkiewicz Girls
I never miss an opportunity when I'm home to visit one of my oldest friends and dearest friends, Rebecca (Clark) Linkiewicz, her husband Jeremy, and her two girls - two year-old daughter Leanna and newest addition, two month-old Lola.
Susan, Leah and I went in for a good catch-up with Rebecca and for me to meet Leah for the first time - she was a little angel when we were there and really didn't make a peep.
Leanna and Leah played together and the three of us enjoyed watching them interact - it reminded me of us playing together when Kim Clark used to babysit me! Although, I think we were a lot more work than Leah and Leanna will (hopefully) ever be.
Leanna liked her little sleepover-at-Grandma's kit that I had for her for Christmas. I made them for her, Allison and Rachel this year and included PJ's books, DVD's and stuffed animals. I think the Grandma's and kids were happy with them.
Susan, Leah and I went in for a good catch-up with Rebecca and for me to meet Leah for the first time - she was a little angel when we were there and really didn't make a peep.
Leanna and Leah played together and the three of us enjoyed watching them interact - it reminded me of us playing together when Kim Clark used to babysit me! Although, I think we were a lot more work than Leah and Leanna will (hopefully) ever be.
Leanna liked her little sleepover-at-Grandma's kit that I had for her for Christmas. I made them for her, Allison and Rachel this year and included PJ's books, DVD's and stuffed animals. I think the Grandma's and kids were happy with them.
University Girls' Christmas
I travelled to Ajax on December 28 for a lunch gathering with the University girls.
The weather was beautiful and I was able to get Melanie in Kitchener and meet with Alexis in Milton so I had company for the two and a half hour drive to Amanda's house. We have done a Christmas gathering for the past few years and with Amanda now married and in her beautiful new house, it was a great place to meet.
There were 8 of us who made it this year and we all brought a part of the meal and a secret Santa gift. After filling ourselves with delicious food, we played our gift exchange game (the rules seem to change slightly every year but we make it work :) ). I ended up with a set of flavored hot chocolate mixes and a giant mug that you bake a molten lava cake in and it has all the ingredients included. Very cool!
It was awesome to see the girls and get caught up - I hope our tradition continues for many years...
The weather was beautiful and I was able to get Melanie in Kitchener and meet with Alexis in Milton so I had company for the two and a half hour drive to Amanda's house. We have done a Christmas gathering for the past few years and with Amanda now married and in her beautiful new house, it was a great place to meet.
There were 8 of us who made it this year and we all brought a part of the meal and a secret Santa gift. After filling ourselves with delicious food, we played our gift exchange game (the rules seem to change slightly every year but we make it work :) ). I ended up with a set of flavored hot chocolate mixes and a giant mug that you bake a molten lava cake in and it has all the ingredients included. Very cool!
It was awesome to see the girls and get caught up - I hope our tradition continues for many years...