An update blog in pictures (part 1)

It was a most joyous and fabulous Christmas!!!

The people came, arriving in the dark of night or the sun of the afternoon. It all started on the 21st of December when Grandma and Grandpa Mantel arrived in the middle of the night. Sophia was a little hesitant the next morning but soon was smiling away at them. Then Uncle Todd arrived on the 23rd. More smiles and adoration. Grandma and Grandpa Gerhard arrived late on the 24th, so yet another morning with new people in the house. Finally Uncle Adam and Aunt Kristine arrived in the evening of the 25th. With all family members present and hungry, Christmas supper was shared and the last of the presents were opened and enjoyed (the Mantel side had done some in the morning, so really, the presents lasted all day! It was great!)


In between gift opening stints, and while Christmas dinner was being prepared, a showdown seemed to be building. It was the dueling Santa hats. After a fierce stare down a friendly truce was called between Grandpa and Sophia, the two agreeing that they both were the cutest in their hats . It was tense, but all ended peacefully! Whew, Christmas celebrations were close to being disrupted!


The whole gift thing was a little foreign to our little girl. So much coloured paper and shiny things, and no coordination with her thumbs to actually help unwrap. So Mom and Dad did the unwrapping and Sophia tried her best to eat the paper. She was quite content to watch everyone opening up, and was quite intrigued by her Uncle Adam as he opened his gifts. Our little one is keen on watching the world and by no means was this forgotten on Christmas. Can you see the look of interest in her face?


This Christmas also saw the first of Sophia's future career options. Our friends, Larissa and Blair, were visiting this Christmas from Ontario and we got the opportunity to have a quick visit with them at the house. Now, most of you know that I do not have long hair by any stretch of the imagination. So consider her wonder when Sophia discovered that this stranger holding her had long, dark hair. Soon enough, her little fingers were entangled in Larissa's hair, neatly rearranging her ponytail for her. Larissa was a good sport and played along. Seemed that Sophia had a pretty good knack for it. Is hair dressing in her future? Not sure yet....

So after all was said and done, Christmas was wonderful. It was a treat to have the whole family here, and Sophia seemed to enjoy her time with everyone. There were no major crises, the turkey turned out great and in the end everyone was happy and content. We would say that it was a great success and all those in favor signified with the usual motion. A round of applause for the holiday! (Thanks (Great) Grandpa Osborne)