Christmas Post #4

We packed our bags and headed to Ontario from December 23-26 to celebrate Christmas with Daryl's family.  It was a great time filled with a lot of special family times!  The kids did great in the van (both directions!) and they had a blast playing with their cousins at Grandpa's and Grandma's house!

This was Hope's very first trip to Canada.  She was excited and so were we!!

Meeting baby Zahara (3 1/2 weeks old), the newest cousin!  Hope loved holding her and kept shaking her head when I would ask her if she was done.

Story time the first night we were there with the VanRooyen cousins.

Bath time the next morning.  Hope and Aliyah were waiting (not so patiently) for their turn in Grandma's fun bath tub!

Daryl with his younger sister Val and baby Zahara.  Samuel really wasn't as mad as he looks!

On Christmas Eve, all of the grandkids (those that want to participate!) act out The Christmas Story.  Rodney, of course, is the narrator and director.  Hope loved being an angel.  In the picture above she is waving at everyone in the audience.

The cast.

We even had a real live baby Jesus this year.  Thanks, Zahara!

All of the stockings for all of the grandchildren (22 out of 25 were there this year!) hanging on the banister.

Samuel and Aliyah on Christmas Eve

My baby!

The only picture I got of the kids opening presents.  After this, it got crazy!!

Hope and Aliyah after Church on Christmas morning.

Samuel after Church on Christmas morning.

Grandma with 4 of her granddaughters.

Love this picture!!

For whatever reason, Aliyah loved putting her hand right in front of Zahara's mouth (but not touching it).  She was absolutely obsessed with Zahara and she was always asking where the baby was if Zahara wasn't within her view.

So precious!

Brother and sister

Taken the morning we left.  Aliyah put all of her babies on the suitcase and told me "baby. bed. shhh!"

They all woke up at the same time.  What a busy Momma!