HAPPY NEW YEARS EVE

WELCOME 2013

I've been sitting here reflecting on 2012 and wondering about my resolutions for 2013 The last year was a very emotional one. We had a lot packed in- having a son, finding a house, leaving a son, a transatlantic move and some other curve balls- but we made it to 2013

We are committed to this family and although I'm really not loving life being Christy every single day we do a pretty good job of making the best of it.

I'm a very lucky girl- I have the most loyal friends that have stood by me through distance, time and strains. I have the most amazing Husband and although he comes with a lot, I adore him more every day; his integrity is unquestioned. I'm excited to be sitting around our solid table with our children celebrating year in and year out.

I have Mom, Dad & Brothers that love me unconditionally and who would do anything for me.  And lastly, we live in a country that is safe and taken care of by a confident military who give so much of themselves for the sake of others.

Welcome 2013! May you bring light & love.

This Year I Will:

*focus on the present *put myself out there *commit to family exercise * be organised *be appreciative *sew *practice forgiveness *don’t forget to travel *play the piano with Euan *spend time outside this winter *be loyal *be happy *be patient *be silly *be kind -CWG

BABY IT'S COLD OUTSIDE

007

Gill turns 70 this weekend and Denise invited us over for his 007 birthday celebration. Christmas whistle crackers with Elliott conducting us all, The men dappered out in true Johnson style, a crackling fire, Gill at the head of the table carving the lamb, after dinner birthday quiz, about the birthday boy of course! Hobbit riddles, family memories and a few presents exchanged. 

Many laughs at the Johnson house- not a dry eye around the table. they really know how to throw a great dinner party. It has been snowing all day and the roads are pretty bad but I'm glad we went to mark such a special occasion. 

Wishing Gill a wonderful 70th year of life!

UK CHRISTMAS PREZZIES

Euan and I received a Christmas parcel from The Angels of the North yesterday. In it - An England football kit and some Cath Kidston Kids bath towels for Euan as well as a few of my favourite Boots items for me...Thank you girls, I miss you so much and can't wait until A's wedding to see you all again! xoxo



Speaking of Cath Kids if you are looking for a change bag her 2012 collection is in the sale now and it is awesome- . Includes changing mat, bottle insulator, baby flannel and large zip pouch, perfect for storing dummies, baby wipes and other bits and bobs. the perfect gift for a new Mom. 

BE THE KIND OF WOMAN

WELCOME HOME

A VERY MERRY CHRIMBO

 We had a very merry Chrimbo in Victoria, the day was spent with my entire family& we even squeezed in a few of my closest friends. Check out Santa in his new winter scarf- super handsome!

My Brother had everyone ( around 36 of us) over for potluck. The presents were spilling into the living room until the kids  opened most of them making room for the adults to enjoy the secret Santa part of the night... the best present was ski passes to Mt. Washington-what a great idea and a great way to spend family time together.

My favourite gift- this Jane Teething necklace from Hip Baby and since my little bug got his first tooth this week I'm pretty sure I'll be wearing it a lot! He's been so good about it, I expected much worse-he's a tough little boy.

We are spending the night in Vancouver before flying out tomorrow morning. The temperature has been so low in Victoria we are going to be in for a huge shock tomorrow evening!

HAPPY CHRISTMAS

Happy Christmas Love: The Gillespie's xoxo Check out our ELF DANCE

TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

Euan's first Christmas.. Happy Christmas Eve xoxo

CHRISTMAS WEEKEND

What a lovely weekend we had. On Friday evening once Euan was tucked into bed with Nanna watching over him, we met some friends at The Empress Bengal Lounge for some solstice jazz. The Bengal has great atmosphere, and one of the city's best Indian buffets and apparently the most enjoyable whiskey selection in the city.


Saturday my Mom hosted Turkey dinner; she was busy in the kitchen well before we woke up. We made ourselves scarce, as requested, and did a bit of shopping at the new Uptown before we met Murph for Noodle Box - happiness is Noodle Box. Steve and I go every time we are in Victoria. 

Yesterday we relaxed watched Jamie O's Christmas specials,  lunched on leftover turkey and made Euan's his first gingerbread house- We aren't very good at making GB houses yet but have many years of practice ahead of us. ;) 

It's Christmas Eve! Time is running out for us in Victoria- in a few days we will be back in the North Pole ( Ottawa )- but until then we will be spending lot's of time with family and friends. Steve and I are making dinner for one of my Bestie's and her Husband tonight while Mom goes to her friend J's annual Christmas Eve party. Daddy Walker is making breakfast in the morning and my brother is hosting our Christmas Day shindig. YAY CHRISTMAS!!!

HAPPY DAYS!!! xoxox

XMAS DECOR

My Mom has Christmas all over.. the living room, kitchen, the bedrooms, the bathroom, in the track lighting...she even has an ornament hung up in her truck. It's very sweet and festive!

DASHING THROUGH THE SNOW

WRAPPED UP

"The best of all gifts around any Christmas tree is the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other."

We've been busy spending time with family and friends and joining in the madness of last minute shopping this week. I knew exactly what I wanted to buy Euan after spending time in Mariah's toy box. I went to find it the other day and they didn't have it in stock anywhere- this was my first taste parental toy disappointment.  Good thing Euan has no idea that he won't be getting Fisher Price's Noah's Ark  this year... *laugh*

My sister made Italian last night for our family-it was awesome. Euan is getting spoiled. He has been learning all about unwrapping of presents, nobody wants to wait until Christmas... we may need to borrow another suitcase just for Euan's haul! I love that it's all about the kid's in our family they really make Christmas special.

My little bug took a ride on his cousin's wooden rocking Harley Davidson. Dylan (Euan's cousin who is 18) also pulled out his time capsule and showed me the Harley Davidson leather coat I bought for him in Turkey when he was four; I tried it on Euan-adorable little biker!

I hope our next move is West so I can enjoy this time with my family on a regular basis. I'm having such a lovely time and the free babysitting has been a huge bonus -Steve paid Daddy Walker with a hug yesterday! *sweet* xoxo

AND MAY ALL YOUR

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!

Happy Birthday L!

Thank you for being the best guest blogger a girl could ask for as well as friend. I hope you have a brilliant day full of sparkle- you can open your present now. xoxo

Neighborly Deed

 I found this book box across the street from my Opa's house today. "Got a book you no longer need? Leave it here for other's to read. Consider it a neighborly deed" This is really cool.

I bet we could find a lot of books in my Opa's house! ;)

CHRISTMAS CAME EARLY

Yesterday we went for Sunday brunch at Oak Bay Marina with my parents and then Steve and I made our way up island to see Heather & Brent and ran into some snow- we might have a white Christmas in Victoria after all. Heather made Steve these Reindeer Heineken beers which we thought were pretty darn cute. I want to keep them it was such a clever idea. She also bought Euan the sweetest monkey hat and onzie outfit and PJ's for me- my favourite.

Euan met his 3rd cousin Mariah this weekend, they were very sweet together and Euan loved routing through his cousin's toy box- she loves Thomas too!

7 more shopping days.. xoxo

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Jet lag alert- we woke up very early yesterday and made our way out to memory lane.  First stop Esquimalt Lagoon to watch the sun rise. I showed Steve where I  lived, where my friends lived and the boys I crushed on lived, where I played , went to Brownies, took swimming lessons, highland dance lessons, went to church, went to summer camp, played capture the flag, my elementary, junior high and senior school.  It was a great day and my husband seemed to enjoy all the little bits of information he had never heard before and even the things he had heard, numerous times!

Christmas is different this year. I'm really feeling the changes that have occurred in my absence; over the years it's become less traditional. Anyone who knows me well knows that I'm a fan of tradition and I am not a fan of change.  It's been a very busy year for us, full of change. I would give anything to be in our home in Bristol this weekend setting up the tree, Steve in the kitchen making sausage rolls and other yummy party food and designing our Martini & Mistletoe menu with Connor and L in great anticipation for our annual Martini & Mistletoe party.

That being said, I am very happy sharing the holidays with my family this year and making new traditions- as the saying goes "change is good."

We have only been here for a few days, but it's been wonderful catching up with friends, taking Husband to my favourite places and sharing my memories, and most importantly seeing the light in my loved ones eyes when they meet Euan for the first time. I feel very blessed to be with family over the holidays and I'm going to enjoy every moment.

Happy Holidays!! xoxo