It was Great Having Our Son home for Christmas!

The village scene under our Christmas tree this year

 When children are young, parents are busy and occupied with looking after them, hardly having a quiet moment to themselves. Now that our children are grown, finished school and living their own independent lives, we are happy that they can come home and spend some time with us.

 Putting poinsettias around our house

This was exactly what happened this Christmas. While both of our sons are working outside of Canada, E., our first born came home and stayed at home with us for eight days this Christmas! This hasn't happened for a long time since he left home to study in the U.S.!


With S. not feeling well and staying at the hospital, I was overwhelmed with daily visits and looking after him. Therefore I was glad that I had some help from D. and D. and Leona with decorating for the holidays.

Preparing our house for Christmas is a tradition in our house

 Last year, we invited the trio for dinner, followed by a Christmas tree decorating party.

We had so much fun that we decided making it our annual Christmas tradition. Therefore, I invited the trio for dinner after their visit with S. at the hospital.  After dinner and dessert, we put Christmas lights in and outside our house.

The Christmas lights brighten the dark winter nights and lift our spirit

Because of the special circumstances this year, I was too late getting the nice poinsettias from our florist. Next year, I must remember to order and have them reserved by the end of November so that we would have the best picks of flowers.


The Christmas lights looked beautiful in front of our house; they lifted our spirit every time we looked out of the windows in the evening.

Great to have E. helping out in the kitchen!

E. came home the Saturday before Christmas and was able to attend the big family dinner with us on Sunday at Susan and Dave's place.

Christmas dinner at home

On Christmas Day, we had our own family dinner with Mom and other people sharing with them the joy of Christmas.

Eliza and her daughter joining us for Christmas dinner

It was really meaningful when we could have friends joining our celebration.

T. opened his present

I was grateful that S. was home for Christmas and could enjoy the family party.
 

E. helped to entertained his young cousins playing Monopoly with them after dinner.

E. helping his cousins with his puzzle

 He told us he had a lot of fun helping his cousins figuring out the wooden puzzle too!

Yes! Helping others often brings  happiness to ourselves too!




On Boxing Day, it was perfect driving condition as it was mild and no snow in the forecast.

Driving across the Canadian border to the U.S.

We drove across the border to Niagara Falls. Our Christmas present from E. - a stay at the Four Point Sheraton Hotel, Niagara Falls, (U.S.)

Enjoying breakfast and enjoying the waterfront scenery at the hotel

E. dropped me off at the outlet mall on Military Road at Exit 22, to do some shopping while S. rested at the hotel and E. went to meet up with his friend in Buffalo.

Our stay at Sheraton on the U.S. side of Niagara Falls

We capped the day by having dinner at Buffalo, Western New York's best Thai/ Burmese restaurant voted by its residents. It was a place packed with hungry patrons and it served us a delicious dinner!

We never had Burmese food; we tried some exotic dishes and it was a new and pleasant experience for us.

Opening gifts on Boxing Day

Though it started out as a grim Christmas with S. being in the hospital, everything turned out fine!  His illness is under control; he is recovering and making good progress.

Great to have our son home for Christmas with us!

We were grateful having E. home helping and showing his love and support for us.

It meant a lot to us!

Meeting old friends at the Law's annual party

With our family members and best friends around to support us, we were able to celebrate and remember this wonderful special occasion of Jesus' birth!

Thank you, God, for your mercies and love!

R.T.
Christmas, 2014
Toronto, Ontario, Canada /
Buffalo, New York, U.S.A.