Weekend Festivities

Tis the season! We've had a busy weekend of Christmas festivities & celebrations, the perfect counter-balance to how our hearts have been feeling some days this month.

I am happily weary from time spent with dear friends, new friends, talented musicians & soul-warming songs. The Yoder Family Christmas party kicked things off on Friday evening & we didn't look back.

{with lovely friends, Will & Ruthie Sayles}

Nate was away on Sautrday night & I took-in my first ever viewing of "It's a Wonderful Life" at the Belcourt Theatre. Oh-me, oh-my. I am in love - and slow on the uptake, for certain! If you've not indulged in some Christmas viewing yet, please go & rent this now. It is a pure delight.

 

In the quieter moments, between mistletoe & egg nog & itchy Christmas sweaters (none of which actually appeared over the weekend) I got my craft-on again. And this time, no kindy kids were going to one-up me!

Please meet my first ever bunting banner & contribution to Todd's surprise 40th birthday party (more on that in a minute).

Come Sunday evening we took-in the annual Andrew Peterson Christmas concert ("Behold the Lamb of God") held at the Ryman. This is a favorite for us every year, for many reasons - heart-stirring songs, talented musicians, friends who are the talented musicians, Nate's manager Christie orchestrating the night, & the story of Christmas, God with us, proclaimed with great joy & hope.

{No matter my mood, scrooge or elf, this concert helps to focus my heart during the silly season}

Now, back to the 40th p-arty. To cap it all off & really tip this weekend over the edge, we stayed around at the Ryman after the concert to celebrate 40 years of life for our precious friend Todd, surprise-style. 

{Yep, that's my banner. Could we say it was the vital heartbeat of the whole evening? The salt to the party pepper? Who am I to say.... :) }

Before I sign-off, it must be announced: Nate & I have made a new friend!*. The wonderful Ms. Sally Lloyd Jones, children's book author extraordinaire & all-round fabulous lady. (*no coercion or bribery took place.)

Sally took-up residence for an evening at our home & graciously kept us company throughout a lot of the above, attending the parties & reading at Andrew's concert. I believe Sally is HIGH on the list of 2011 'good things'.

How do you not love a lady who will do this with you... Making you laugh until you cry...

 

{Todd's primary-school self was good enough to appear with us in the 2nd frame, in case the boy seems a random addition... Because, of course, everything else in these pictures looks totally normal}

SO, anybody else worn-out from the activities & social interactions??! Good-golly molly. I could stay in my pajamas for a week.

As full as my heart might be from this season of friendship & celebration, I am excited about the pending plane ride - 14+hrs of uninterrupted, passive time, delivering us to family.

The end. And very joy-filled Christmas to you all!

xx