And it was Christmas

What did we do over the Christmas week?

I suggested a family gathering to celebrate Christmas early for the family...I thought it would be a first for us in Miri. But it turned out to be one to celebrate the Winter Solstice, and also before Grace's mom went back to JB. It's OK, lah. I like family gatherings no matter what the reason.

18 adults, two toddlers, one baby and two infants at a buffet dinner. Food was unremarkable. FIL invited his older sister. MIL invited grandparents and her bro and his family (another bro was out of town). Then there was Simon, me and our two Js; Stanley, Grace and Qi Qi, Catherine, Bryan and their two Ms.

Here's Dad and his sister. They look like two peas in a pod.

Simon's grandparents.

Jon wasn't interested in the dinner at all, and kept wanting to go to see the Christmas tree in the lobby. Simon and I took turns to eat and accompanied him outside. He was in a world of his own.
Jon saw this huge desk that duty managers would sit and he decided he wanted to sit there. Until "Suit" came and told Simon that the desk is meant for management and told him to sit at the other seats (where I was). "Suit" was actually wearing a vest, but I wasn't going to bother since I was feeding Jill. I so dislike people to use the word "management". So impersonal and as if it's meant to scare. Why couldn't he just say, "I am sorry sir, but this is meant for the duty manager. Would you like to sit at the comfortable sofas over there?"
Managed to take photos of Jon and cousin Megan by the tree. Then Megan and Jonathan decided to play around the Christmas tree and got close to check out the shiny balls and Christmas trims. "Suit" turned up again and said loudly, "Excuse me!" But the kids weren't even touching the decor. Why didn't he cordon off the tree? Sigh...uptight "Suit".

Christmas Eve
On Christmas Eve, we had a simple meal at home and then Catherine and her family came over. Grandpa gave out the presents and the kids had a great time with their pressies. Jillian was asleep and oblivious to it all. Well, wait till she's older. Stanley, Grace and 2-month young Qi Qi didn't join us. They had their own quiet dinner at their new home. Also Qi Qi is still so young. Also missing Darien, Ee Chiew and baby Oscar who are in Singapore and JB.
After playing with his Thomas the Train set, I brought Jonathan over to the Baptist Church opposite our house. They had a carnival, complete with stalls, Christmas play and even a buffet dinner. But I just wheeled him in his tricycle and let him check out the crowds. He even got down to see the older kids have their tries at the game stall. Then it drizzled a little and we came back.

The church had fireworks that night. I was upstairs getting the cot ready when I heard the countdown. I flew downstairs to Jillian and covered her ears. Simon was half asleep on the couch and Jon woke up from the fireworks! Simon tried to make him sleep, but hello...fireworks leh. So Simon brought Jon to the window to check out the short fireworks session.

Christmas Day
On Christmas Day we went to church and after the service, there was catered buffet lunch. But there were too many people and we just hung out in the cry room with the other families with young kids. We brought Jillian and Jonathan back for their lunch and nap and then went out with a couple of lunch at the Taiwan cafe. Had my fave beef noodles soup!

At night, we had a Pot Bless at our Small Group. Haven't joined them for 4months since the birth of Jillian. The last time we joined them was to celebrate Jimmy's birthday. It was nice to catch up with them. Grandma took care of Jill coz she said Jon would be a handful already. But he watched video in the TV room and was well behaved. Jimmy's drums kept him occupied. Doesn't he look like a pro (even though he held the sticks the wrong way around)?
This is the group of friends I have in Miri. I like the small group, the members give us prayer support and the ladies are always ready to offer a listening ear and advice.