Christmas

     I'm just now getting to our Christmas blog.  It was so busy surrounding Christmas, and then we enjoyed our time when the kids were out of school to connect with other families and make the most of the time.  Just this week we're getting back into a "normal" schedule again (that is, if you can ever use the words "normal" or "schedule" with missionary life!!).  On Christmas Eve, we hosted our team for a party.  Nettie set up a little photo booth for whoever wanted to take silly pictures (I think it was just kids!)

      We enjoyed our tradition of acting out the Christmas story.

.....and eating lots of great food!  We also sang Christmas carols together by candlelight in a few languages.  This is a special time that we all treasure.

     This year the adults drew names for giving presents and got food items for each other.  But the kids each got unique gifts.  These girls looked so cute in their matching hats.  I just love their pet zebra, too!  =)

     Ike and Bogdan got power tools with safety goggles.  They zipped those things all around the house and had so much fun!



          Then on the 26th (after our busy performance day and a night of sleeping under the Christmas tree as a family), we awoke to a special morning together.  Each of the kids had made a special gift for the family.  Anneka wrote a book about a pony that we had laminated and bound.  Ella made us a calendar (all on her own during her rest time- not one of us knew what was on the pages), and Ike made a framed painting.  They were each so excited to share their special gifts with the family.

 
     Something else really special was that our friends, the Lacys, sent amazing presents for our whole family.  Our kids loved everything they sent, as their (same-aged) kids hand-picked gifts they knew they would love.  Our friend Erin sent wonderful presents, too.   She found a game set that she played as a little girl that's PERFECT for our family.  Inside are games that even Ike can play without being on a team with someone else.  It makes it really fun for all of us on our family nights!  Our parents sent special gifts, too, and we felt so loved by the love and care that went into shipping them all of the way here!

     Nettie came and joined us in the afternoon.  She helped the kids put together legos and we played a very fun game that she gave our family.  (can you tell that we love games?)  We ordered Chinese food for dinner and watched a ridiculous Christmas dog movie and just relaxed.

     The next day, ,the older kids at church put on a play.  Anneka was a horse and did a great job with her lines!  She only had one day in between her other performance and this one. 

 

     We enjoyed a meal together as a church family after the service.

     I had to snap this picture with Baba Ira, all dressed up to go outside in her fur hat and coat. 

     We feel so thankful that even amidst a busy season, God also gave us special times as a family and with loved ones to celebrate Him.