Christmas 2012

Our third Christmas at The Bluffs started on December 21st, when Pat and I arrived via Geneva and Montreal, late as usual (thanks AC!). There was snow on the ground so we were excited about the prospect of a white Christmas for a change! In fact, we had a few more blizzards over the holiday season, which made for some great XC skiing and snow-shoeing! Elliott loved going outside on his sled (from last year) and sliding down the snowbanks along the walkway! He even mastered the word, "outside"! Christmas Day was a little different for the two of us...we enjoyed mimosas for breakfast, as per usual, and watched The Queen, but as the rest of the world OPENED presents, I took the time to WRAP ours, all the while listening to my favourite Christmas music on my iPod! We cooked duck for Christmas dinner, just the two of us...interesting but it wasn't turkey! The family arrived in shifts starting on December 29th, and we actually celebrated our Christmas Day together on January 3rd! It was well worth the wait! Here are the highlights:

Pat made terrines using his new Le Creuset terrine pot!



We brought red cheese (sun-dried tomato) and green cheese (pesto), both Gouda, from the Amsterdam airport.



We celebrated Pat's birthday on a snowy December 27th with Steve and Di, on their way back to Halifax: fresh cooked lobsters from Peter's and a cheesecake for dessert!



Jen, Ben and Elliott arrived first from Montreal, after their 45 cm snowfall which broke the records from 1971!




This year, Elliott loved his sled!




And sliding down "the mountains" at Sypher Cove!




Steph got in a day late but she has her "Green Stuff"!




Lou had a (belated) birthday and in the absence of the chocolate truffle cake from Happy Baker, Jen made her own version!







There were hours spent on Settlers of Catan, safely set up in the sunroom, away from tiny hands!




Elliott helped in the kitchen!




And played in the dining room!




Christmas came on January 3rd...stockings in the living room:




Santa brought Elliott a bumble bee to ride!




Claudia sent a wooden train from Spain!




Aunty Sissy and Uncle Lou gave him a xylophone!




Ann joined us for Christmas dinner (prime rib from Tony's); Jen made Pavlova!




There were Men in Hats (from the Basque Country in Spain)!




And "Sisters in Hats"!



There was a reindeer in the house!




And a good-looking family!




And lots of snow to play in!













Wishing all our friends and family a very Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year in 2013! We hope to see you very soon!

Hasta luego...

Location:Grand Lake, N.B.