HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2017-12-21, Page 12PAGE 12. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 21, 2017.
Charity is always part of Ansley family's holidays
Continued from page 9
house last year. Mike was working
on building the house late into the
year and he was almost finished
when they moved in and celebrating
their first Christmas there as a
family, but not all the way there.
The family had running water to
only one tap and there was one
bedroom, Rodney's, finished, so all
five of them, and their dog Leroy,
slept in the same room on Christmas
Eve, waiting for Christmas morning
to come.
Mike said he slept like a log, but
Mikayla said it was one of the worst
nights of sleep she's ever had, due to
a combination of the unusual
sleeping arrangement and the usual
anticipation of Christmas morning.
Mikayla said she was up at about 4
a.m. asking Katie to let them go to
the tree and see what Santa had
brought them, but Katie urged her
daughter to sleep for a few more
hours. She made it all the way to 6
a.m.
As the holidays roll around every
year, the family's youngest, Lexi,
says she looks forward to a lot of
outdoor activities, like building a
snowman and walking past the
village's unofficial Christmas tree at
the home of Steven and Laurie
Sparling. She's also a fan of
tobogganing, which is great because
the family has a built-in tobogganing
hill out the back of their new home.
As far as scheduling is concerned,
the Ansleys make sure to leave time
for themselves around the holidays.
They always drive to Bayfield on
Christmas Eve to spend time with
Katie's parents. They attend church
on Christmas Eve and then come
back to Blyth to spend the night.
The kids always open one gift that
night, which is usually something to
help them get to sleep, like a new
pair of pajamas or slippers. They
have been known to play Spin The
Bottle to determine who gets to open
their gift first.
They watch a Christmas movie
together — the film changes every
year — and then head to sleep before
Christmas morning.
On Christmas morning, the family
also keeps things local. They open
presents together and have some
May I have some more?
North Woods Elementary School carried on a wonderful tradition last week by hosting its
annual Christmas lunch. Not only did every student partake in the meal, but many parents,
teachers, volunteers and community members were there too. The meal is cooked and served
by parents of North Woods students every year. (Shawn Loughlin photo)
Mitchell to bring niece into fold
Continued from page 11
developed into quite a tradition, but
this year they're looking to break out
of the house and develop some
activities for family members of all
ages outdoors.
On Christmas Day and Boxing
Day, Mitchell said that he would
then get together with various sides
of his family and celebrate the
holidays with them.
The music running through the
family's veins is continuing to be an
influence, Mitchell said. His five-
year-old niece is just getting to
the age that she's interested in
music and Mitchell is hoping to
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help usher her into the family as far
as music is concerned.
She's now the proud owner of a
small toy fiddle and it probably
won't be long until she's old enough
for the real thing, Mitchell said.
In his younger days, Mitchell says
he always remembers busy, loud
Christmas celebrations at his
grandparents' house. With four boys
in the family, there was always
plenty of people around and he truly
appreciated the whole family aspect
of the holiday in those years.
Merry Christmas
and Best Wishe
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Joe and Debbie Seili and family
Brussels 519-887-6289
breakfast before heading out into the
world.
On the night of the 25th, they
always return to Bayfield to spend
time with Katie's parents once again.
This time, they plan to sleep over
and head back to Blyth on Boxing
Day.
As for Mike and Katie, they say
that traditions haven't changed.
When they were kids, Mike in Blyth
and Katie on a farm just outside of
Bayfield, it was all about family and
remembering those less fortunate.
Katie said that something she and
Mike really try to instill in their
children around the holidays is just
how lucky they are and that not
everyone is as lucky as them.
They routinely donate to the
Huron County Christmas Bureau
around the holidays and have passed
that charitable nature on to their
children.
Blessings of the Season
to all
and thank you
for your business
this year.
Gerald Exel
Carpentry
Brussels
519-887-9616
We're Fllled With
Gratitude!
As we gear up for Christmas, we'd like to
share our thanks and best wishes with you,
our valued customers and friends here in the
community. Your support and goodwill have
really made our year special, and we sincerely
appreciate your patronage.
Happy Holidays!
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Open 6 am to 10 pm
39977 Blyth Rd., Blyth
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