I left London right after Thanksgiving to be the "advance party" and get things rolling with seasonal activities until everybody arrived to help decorate the tree, bake and enjoy being together for our traditional festivities. I was so busy living it all, I didn't have time to stay current with posts while it was happening, so I'm doing a bit of catch up now.
Here are some more of the highlights of a very special holiday time for us all . . .
Remembering Christ's birth and His life is such a precious time; I cherish that near world-wide dedicated time for humanity to celebrate Him. Our family always shares a special program on Christmas Eve, with a part played by all. We revel in that time as we read the scriptural account of His coming to the earth, to sing, play bells and piano, hear readings and poems, view video clips -- to ponder.
This year was a particularly beautiful program and, for the first time, we even built a Nativity as those in Brazil do -- collecting common items in the house and crafting them into the manger, child, angels, wise men, animals, star. And we sang in Portuguese -- not that any of us but Tyler speak it, but somehow as we read the words he'd printed out, the Spirit was there.
Other traditions we so enjoy are our annual Christmas Eve dinner of cheese fondue with the fixings (artisan bread, veggies, apples, lil' smokie sausages), salad, sliced steak, sparkling apple cider and such. Christmas cookies are a sweet touch, too.
After opening Christmas p.j.s (that somehow are a surprise every year! ;) ) and making reindeer food -- complete with glitter so the moonlight on it outside guides Santa's reindeer to our house), some of the elves helped the jolly, bearded man with some stocking-filling treats and we all settled in for a long winter's nap.
Christmas Day Delights
Pattering little steps and giggles let us know Jackson was awake and ready to see if Santa had filled his stocking. (Santa actually brought Jax and Rae their presents when they were still at home in California -- avoiding the shipping gifts dilemma). Jax -- and everyone else -- must have been very good this year, as there were treats for all.
Our traditional foods of ham/rice confetti, chilled fruit compote, homemade cinnamon rolls and peppermint hot chocolate was a yummy way to brunch our way into the day before exchanging wonderful gifts and enjoying a mellow day together.
The best gift we gave one another though was being all together! It was the first time in seven years we've all been together for Christmas at home in Georgia with Mike, me, Ash, Chris, Jax, Rae, Justin, Elise, Tyler, my parents, Mike's mom and my sister. Lucky 13 (of us) it was as we shared and celebrated this joyous time of year. How blessed we feel.
Welcome 2016!
Happy New Year! Wahoooooooooo! Rang it in with huge sparklers, back yard fireworks, showers of confetti, hats and noise makers, apple cider bubbly, games, and watching the ball drop in NYC as well as the fireworks on TV from London. 2015 was mostly amazing; we are grateful and looking forward to this next year, too. Wishes for the best to all in this bright new year of 2016.
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