Christmas in Ottawa

Emily wore her new purple dress to church on Sunday. She was so pleased with herself. She did look cute, but also looked like she could use a little tomato sauce and parmesan.



On Christmas Day, Hope went for the tiny elf look:

It was a nice Christmas. It wasn't quiet - Emily made sure of that - but it wasn't wild either. Emily kept her composure really well and in fact it was beautiful to watch her take everything in, see the wonder in her face when she realized that the one thing she asked Santa for was actually delivered... she was a little freaked out about it actually. I'll never forget the look on her face when she walked in the living room and saw the Winnie-the-Pooh chair sitting there. You could actually see her little brain computing that Santa actually did it! He really brought me the chair. She was scared and excited at the same time and it was unforgettable.

We had put out cookies and milk for Santa the night before and their disappearance added to the magic for Emily. Watching her and creating some of that magic for her absolutely made my Christmas.

The opening of gifts was a bit of controlled chaos. Emily, at first, wanted to open everything herself but after a few reminders she stopped trying to do that and instead helped everyone else open their gifts. This worked well in keeping her and everyone else happy.

We had a great meal - leg of lamb done on the barbecue. Yes, we live in Ottawa and we barbecued on Christmas Day. Totally unusual but I loved it! I inserted sliced garlic cloves into the the fat side of the leg, rubbed on dried rosemary and then laid lemon slices on top. I 'cued it over indirect heat until it reached 145 F. We also had mashed carrots and parsnip, scalloped potatoes, broccoli and brussels sprouts. For dessert, I made English Trifle. Oh so good, the whole thing.

We didn't go for a walk on Parliament Hill this year, but there is still time to do that later this week.

My dad and his wife, Donna, were here for the shenanigans and left on Christmas night to avoid the snow we finally got.

Emily is still enraptured by the Pooh chair, but the way. She lounges in it and watches her new Wiggles DVDs over and over and over (when allowed). Thanks Beth.