Christingle, Nativity, christmas tree...oh my!

Some old



Some new



and some home made



After the disaster with our first real christmas tree last year, Chris has refused to spend the money on another real one to risk the same happening, I can see his point, who wants to have to take the tree down before it gets to christmas day! So this year we have an artificial one, however, it is a really nice one and cost just £10 from a charity shop, I suspect it was very expensive to buy new as all the branches are put together individually and it does look real pretty so Im happy with our tree this year, and no nasty bleach smell :-)


Last Sunday we all went to a childrens service at church, they had a nativity play and also a christingle service, it ws such a lovely atmosphere, mulled wine and mince pies were shared and Emily decided she would like to take part in the nativity play, so she got dressed up as an angel and joined the other angels on stage and I had an incredable and tearful proud moment





After the play, we sang christmas carols, listened to some short stories and jokes and then the lights were dimmed and the christingles were brought out, this was the bit that Emy was really looking forward to





Afterwards the children got to choose 2 chocolates, one for themselves and one to give to someone they love, Emy chose to give her second one to Henry



I think this will be my last post until after christmas so would like to wish everyone a very happy, beautiful christmas time

Love

Becky, Chris, Emy & H :-)

Winter solstice blessings

This morning was spent reading stories and watching Spirited away while we waited for our food shopping to be delivered which came at lunch time, then once we had eaten our lunch we wrapped up and headed out to the nature reserve to discover the beautiful frosty kingdom











What is it with boys and big sticks





The thick frost didnt stop Emy hill rolling hehe

Making and Baking

The snow has given us a good chance to enjoy some advent crafts together and I have been able to crack on with some things Im making as christmas gifts and of course some baking :-)

This morning was spent preparing vegetables to make soup for our lunch, Emy insisted she did everything herself





She did a great job and made a delicious soup! Then after lunch we made chocolate chip cookies





and the making?

I finished off this vampire sock monkey for my sisters christmas gift



Yesterday a snow plough came down and cleared our road of snow, now I just need to dig out the few feet of snow around the car and we can get out and about again as its still too deep for us to reach public transport

Winter Wonderland

King winter has certainly awoken in Yorkshire, we have had the worst snow I have ever known over the past week which in some places has been waist high! We have been well and truley snowed in and despite it not snowing now since Thursday we are still pretty much stuck! Also on the first day is started to snow, our central heating broke, we managed to get an engineer out to us before the worst snow hit and the news is we probably need a new boiler so thats going to see us well into the new year without heating. Luckily we have been able to heat one room with the fire in the living room, and we still have hot water so things could be a lot worse but its been rather uncomfortable going about the house, we have all been sleeping together fully clothed and meals have been ones that are quick to prepare so I dont have to stand in the kitchen for too long

First we had a little snow



then we got a little more





Then we got a whole LOT of snow

Past my knees!







we opened our back door to be met with a wall of snow! or garden level is actually 3 steps down from the door here



Emy & H couldnt walk in it





There are lots if icicles around, Emy has enjoyed eating them hehe