Sunday, December 30, 2007

Sabbath and Christmas Eve

This is the beautiful view off our balcony without the scaffolding. Looks much better doesn't it. Sabbath brought the now annual trip to the Fort Lauderdale Church for their Christmas Cantata. We always have a bit of a disagreement about attending, but always win and get to go. Problem is we are usually in church from 9:30 - 2:00. This year was no exception. It was a cute cantata that had the children and adult choir working together. They also used several of the songs from the Cantata that Sarah did at her school. Their set decorations were great and they even used black light for the stars and angels. We picked up a few new ideas.I think Leah has had her share of Christmas programs.
It was freezing inside but beautiful outside.This gives a little bit better view of the set. The manger scene was so nice with the palm trees. Of course, after sundown we needed one more night of shopping at the big outlet mall. Dan babysat for the first time. His friend Gabby came and assisted. Looks like Leah is ready with the remote.
Daddy prepares supper for her before we leae.
One last kiss and mommy promising to bring her home a treat.Sunday morning we headed out for the Marriott buffet which we go to at least once when down here. It is great with the make your own omelet, waffles, potatoes, Krispy Kream donuts. And, we don't have to cook.....Dad fixed Leahs mohawk and mom didn't like it. It disappeared before we hit the restaurant. She looks cute with any hair-do.
Gabby got on the elevator on 21 and was headed to the pool. See you later. Delicious as usual.
Thanks for the treat Leah. See you have been well trained by your Grammy on use of the plastic. Here we are finally in the pool in our new suit. It was pretty successful. She seems to love the water but not so much the sun and breezeOur pizza tradition did not work for this Christmas Eve since they close early here. So Leah is all excited about going to the Mai Kai for a Polynesian dinner and dance performance.To bad she couldn't tell us what she really thinks of these ears. She just couldn't stay awake for dinner.
Virgin Peach Daquiri was great.

Mine was the Pina Colada drink. $6.00 a pop, so Dan put us on a limit of one drink per person. He did allow us a glass of water, Ha Ha. The night was so much fun. We laughed quite a bit and were very happy we were not asked to come up front to do the hula.
Once home it was time for presents. Leah is ready.
That is some present! I think she likes it. Oh, Leah is not always smiley and happy.
Somebody help me here please......
That's our girl. Daddy has her all wrapped up for the night and she looks pretty content.


Saturday, December 29, 2007

Down South Christmas

Here we are heading South. For a special treat, Dan had us fly first class on Spirit. We were in the very first seat. It was one bumpy flight. Pilot said it didn't even help to change altitude since it was bumpy everywhere. We made it safe and sound, but even in first class had to pay for our drink and chips. We came a little earlier than Gram and the kids. They had a lay over in Orlando, a bumpy flight, and delays making their trip about 12 hours long with a baby. She was great and endured the travel just fine. David said she quite enjoyed it.It is so nice to have good friends, and Dan has one of the best in his buddy Gabby. While we were arriving, Gabby was dropping off other friends from the condo and then swung by us to pick us up. Sure beats the taxi ride.We had already set up the Christmas tree when we were in town several weeks ago. You can see there is only one present way over in the corner. It is of course for Leah, her rubber pants, swim top, and hat for the pool. We already had Christmas in Michigan, but when Christmas Eve came around somehow more packages miraculously appeared. Sarah and I exchanged Sephora gifts, Dan gave me a new clock radio that plays and charges our IPods, nice blouse for Grandma Lois, and of course many surprises from Aunt Stella and Uncle Joe. It was great to receive their package down here and actually have some mail. Several folks from Dan's work were very thoughtful and sent a Christmas arrangement and cards. It was a fun but quick week with the kids, but we sure missed Adam, Natalie, and our other relatives. Not the same without us being together. They were spread from Michigan to Mexico to Alaska.Our condo is getting new balcony glass railings so this is what we see every morning. Most of the time there are 2 or 3 men sitting on it. They should be done installing glass on our stack within the next 2 weeks. Then we can finally open our doors and window again. It has been about 9 months since we could open them. You can see Miami in the distance if you look close.Dan and Leah bonding as we make up a place for her to sleep. We kept her with us for all but one night so the kids could catch up on some sleep. She did pretty good waking up at about 5:30 for a feeding and always going right back to sleep for a couple more hours.Night night! We couldn't resist trying on the hat as soon as she got into town. Looks a little bit large but should do the job. Doesn't exactly match the Santa suit.
In this picture, if you look close you can see a little curly-q on the top of her head.
I am not so sure she is into this swim thing like we are....








Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Family Christmas at the Canada's.

Christmas at the Canada's came early this year. Since our children are grown and married we now have to juggle our holidays. This year Joe and Nilza were headed to Mexico to be with their parents so we celebrated on December 16th. Of course, the menu included the traditional
Pizza Hut pizza and many Holiday treats.
This year we exchanged names and kept it secret until Christmas. The reveal was much fun and the creativity in gifts made the evening very interesting. I received a great Cuisinart Food Processor that I can't wait to use when I get home. Dan especially appreciated his
SDA Commentary on CD and having the Patriarch and Prophets and The Great Controversy put on his IPod.
Looks like someone needs a nap before the festivities.
Adam received a great surprise gift from Leah, she gave him a genuine smile. He is beginning to really enjoy this baby thing.
I just love this picture and those candycane ears.
Okay, who do I really look like?
Just one piece of pizza grandpa? Dan does love his other grandchild.
Leah loves her Aunt Natalie. We all love Natalies new funky, short hairdo. She made us all beautiful pottery ornaments as a special gift. They are pastel colored with snow, glitter, beads, and ribbons. Thanks Nat.

Leah getting into one of her many Christmas outfits. Mom also has a Christmas star on her shirt.
I think we can see where Leah gets the reddish tint to her hair.
Nilza loved her gift from Uncle Dan. She is a great map reader and he gave her a bag full of maps to get her from Michigan to Hermosia. Also, membership for her and Joe to AAA so they can get their own maps as she travels her new home, the USA.
Can't beat a Bath and Body gift along with a great Gift Card.
I've been a good girl this year Santa.

I love you Leah.

And you too, Walter. Great bed you received for Christmas.





Christmas Programs

2007 brought some exciting Christmas programs. Leah was the star of course. She played baby Jesus in the Feast of Lights program at Pioneer Memorial Church at Andrews University. It is the annual program put on by Andrews Academy and is a packed house at the church. The school tries to use an alumnis baby to play Jesus each year, and Mrs. Sari Butler asked David and Sarah to have Leah be a part when we visited PMC in November.
The bad thing was that Sarah's program at Oakwood was on the same night. That didn't stop them, and David and Dan took off to Berrien for Leah's program, and Julie and Sarah stayed home for the Oakwood Academy program. Here are David and Leah in costume waiting back stage.


This beautiful wreath is where they sat as part of the Nativity. It is in the baptistry at PMC.
Sarah's program was entitled "The First Leon" and her kids did a great job. Nilza helped me with the costumes and we came up with some great lamb and cow suits. We had a full house again this year and it is turning into the most popular thing Oakwood church and school do all year.
Our set turned out great. Thank you Richard Drapiza for the great Bethlehem Inn. Diana Blair and I set up the shining star.
The children witnessed at the local nursing home, came to our shop, and visited seniors homes for caroling the week after the program.This is the second year they have come to our shop and the guys seem to really enjoy it.
Mrs. Troupe started with prayer and then the kids sang their hearts out. They were treated to pizza and given take home goodies and were on their way.Adam and Natalie enjoyed the songs. Natalie quit her job for the doctor and has started working with Adam at the family business. She is proving to be quite an asset and we love having her there.