Things have been here so crazy here (fritzing computer, busy family, holidays, hospitals) I've slacked on the whole holiday update!
It was wonderful!
The season kicked off with the annual Blenderful "Madrigal" party. We really don't sing madrigals, but we invite all our musician friends to our house on the Sunday after Thanksgiving week. This gives me the motivation I need to get all our holiday decorations up in a timely manner! We provide food, drink, and every piece of sheet music we have. Everyone who wants to, brings their instrument and if they have a piece of music they want to play, they bring that, too. This was our 6th year (really? Already?!) and we had QUITE the band section this year! Gifted musicians, all!
Some cheezy choral music, some tough stuff, some jazz (since we were graced with a Kevin's drum, Tony's sax, Ron's bass, Bob's violin, & Drew's piano) some traditional Christmas tunes. We sounded like angels in the heavens (at least that's how it sounded to us after a couple bottles of wine.)
Really, my favorite song of the night is when we all sing "O Holy Night." No music- we all just sing whatever arrangement we know. It's beautiful. It's moving. It makes me tear up EVERY year. The only thing missing from the evening was Sandy's beautiful soprano voice singing with us.Of course there was a shadow over all of our holiday festivities. Sandy's still in the hopital and NOTHING is the same without Sands & Mike. But Christmas was nice. The tour began on Christmas eve morning with brunch at my Mom's. There were too many presents to count. Santa made an appearance and the kids had a great day.
After a visit to the hospital, Andrew & I sang the 4:00 service at St. Rosalie's (Sandy's church.) Thanks to Bob's amazing violin skills, it was beautiful & special.Then off to Uncle Don's house for the Jarosz family Christmas celebration.
The kids were adorable as always.
After much kielbasa, pierogi, ham, beef, mushroom soup and other tasty treats, we broke oplatki (a Polish tradition of breaking bread and making well wishes for one another for the following year.) Santa came for another visit. Sounds like a long day, huh? Santa didn't even get there until 9:30 (2 hours past the Blenderkid's bedtime.) But they were angels and we had a great time.Andrew brought all his equipment and everyone sang and danced until late in the night.
Well- those who could keep their eyes open sang & danced late into the night.
Poor kid almost made it to midnight.
Christmas morning, everyone slept until they woke up. We had a nice, leisurely morning getting ready for another day of parties ahead... and of course, the stockings were full, gifts were under the tree and we sang happy birthday to Jesus.
Another visit to the hospital followed by Christmas dinner with the Hides family at Aunt Bev & Uncle Gary's house. Another visit from Santa, more food, more wine and a lovely end to Christmas tour 2009.
We definitely have our challange this year. We missed Sandy so much and continue to pray multiple times a day for her recovery. But we are also very aware of our many, many blessings and were happy to CELEBRATE the birth of our Lord with family and friends and give thanks for all He provides.
I'll try to be more timely in 2010.
Next up Adam's 4th birthday on 02/07 and Sam's 1st on 02/10 (can we believe she's going to a whole year old already?!) Their party is on 02/13, so expect another post around then.
Thanks for your prayers & patience, gentle readers.
