We had a wonderful Christmas holiday with my parents celebrating with us from Africa, where they are currently serving a mission, and with my sister's family, the Bruschkes, whom live in Singapore too. Just a few years ago, I never would have imagined such a family gathering in our neck of the woods, but life sends us little surprises all the time.
We merged the Bruschke's holiday traditions with ours this year, joining them on their "Joseph and Mary" hike. I stayed behind with Juliet preparing the Bethlehem dinner. But from the looks of it, they had a fun time hiking in the jungle, swinging from vines and playing by the stream.
On Christmas Eve, the Bruschke's joined us for our traditional "Bethlehem Dinner" with lamb, goat's cheese, pomegranates, flatbread, grapes, olives and other sumptuous food from Biblical times. Afterward, we enjoyed a Christmas Eve program.
Grandma read everyone a special book she brought from Africa called Twas the Night Before Christmas in Africa, a fun, cultural spin on the traditional story/poem.
We started a new tradition with our children. Each year on Christmas Eve they will all receive a new children's Christmas book to open and read that night. Then they will sign it and date it and I, mom, will keep it stored safely for them until they have a home of their own to enjoy their collection each Christmas with their families.
Christmas Morning
Magdalene was sure excited to get an iTouch this year. She is an electronics fan like her father.
There were lots of smiles and happiness to go around on Christmas morning.
I thought this was a sweet picture of Grandma and Abigail sharing a moment together while Abigail unwrapped a picture Ella drew for her.
Ella proudly holding up the picture.
Juliet and Ella both adore cats and dogs. Ella prefers dogs while Juliet prefers cats. They also fight like cats and dogs at times.
Magdalene wrote a note to Grandpa and Grandma for Christmas. Grandpa is saying "thank you."
We had a traditional dinner at the Bruschkes' home followed by ice cream.
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