December wrap-up

December was a very busy month, filled with Christmas festivities, Christmas shopping, trip preparation, and my birthday celebration.

Christmas festivities included a visit to Stanley Park's Bright Nights light display with our friends, the Van Dops, Blommesteins, and Vangie & Skye.  We braved the rain to enjoy the train ride through the light display, visit Santa at his "house", enjoy some face painting, and take photos with the mascots walking around.  Sophia enjoyed everything, except for getting too close to Santa.  I was hoping to get a photo taken with Santa but Sophia would not go near him.  Oh well.

I also attended Navarik's Christmas party, held at the Vancouver Aquarium.  It was really nice to see my ex-colleagues again, as I do miss them.  Knowing that this will be my last Christmas party with Navarik (I changed jobs last October) made me feel nostalgic.

To celebrate my birthday, Ed and I both took the day off work.  I wanted to spend a grown-up day with Ed so we dropped Sophia off at daycare then headed to downtown.  We had brunch, did a bit of shopping, then watched the James Bond film, Skyfall.  Afterward, we had a snack, did a little bit more shopping, then it was time to pick up Sophia from daycare.  The time went by so quickly.  Later that evening, after Sophia went to bed, we went out for a fabulous dinner at Les Faux Bourgeois.  I had a great time with Ed and really enjoyed every minute of my birthday.  It was definitely a happy day.

On Christmas day, we all slept in then had some bacon and eggs for breakfast.  Then we took some photos in front of the tree, before opening our presents.  Sophia doesn't really get the Santa-coming-down-the-chimney thing yet so we just mentioned that Santa gave her some presents.  She seemed happy enough with that much information.  That evening, we hosted my family Christmas dinner.  My mom and sister's family brought the sides while we prepared the main dishes.  Ed slow roasted some pork shoulder and it was super delicious.  It was a big hit!

With Christmas over, my attention turned to preparing for our upcoming trip to Trinidad.  So much to do, so little time!  I quite enjoyed December but now I look forward to having some down time while in Trinidad.  I need a break from errands and running around like a crazy woman.  While I was packing, Ed says to Sophia, "Mommy is packing like a maniac".  Sophia then comes upstairs and asks me, "Mommy, you packing a mani ack?".  Too funny.