Christmas!

Over the years, we have developed some "different" holiday traditions, since we are not physically close to family.  Back in the States, one of the most special parts of Christmas is sharing the day with family.  Since that's not possible, we have tried hard to come up with some special things; so that it's an exciting, memorable time for our kids, even though we are away from family.  I'm sure they are very similar to what you do, but I'm amazed at how the simplest things can mean SO much to the kids!

Making Christmas cookies is a tradition started very early in the lives of our kids.  They just LOVE it!  I guess part of what makes all this special for us is that it's only done once a year.  All the sprinkles, the pecans for Wes' favorite cookie, and even the flour (for Carolina's gluten free cookies!) have to be brought over from the States, so we definitely treasure each time we us them!... and savor every bite!

Another thing is hot chocolate with marshmallows!... more "treats" that have to be brought from the States!

Christmas Eve, we do fondue.  I really don't remember how this tradition started, but we have been doing it since we arrived in Spain.  I guess since it's only us, we have branched out and done things out of the ordinary, but FUN for us! :)

 And then after dinner, they each get to open a gift.  It's usually something for Christmas morning... PJ's or slippers or something cozy. :)

Then of course, Christmas morning!  We always read the Christmas story together, coffee in hand :) ... and this year, we read it from the different perspectives of the different Gospels.  It was fun to compare them.  After that, we had a special surprise!  Aunt Aimee and Uncle Corey (my sister and brother in law) called us on Skype just as we sat down to open stockings!  Corey is in the Navy, and they are stationed in Guam right now. They are 9 hours ahead of us, so it was evening for them and morning for us!  It was SO fun.  We are 6 hours ahead of most of our family in the States, so it's always the middle of the night for them, when we get up and do Christmas.  SO fun to have a couple minutes with my sister on Christmas morning!!  (somehow I missed getting a pic of it!?!... too caught up in the moment, I guess.)

 This year, since we actually have a fireplace, we enjoyed a cozy fire on Christmas morning, too!  Yay for NEW traditions, right??? :)

 The other things we do every year is exchange names within our family.  Each person chooses a 5 euro gift for the other.  We have loved this tradition, because it helps take their focus off of themselves and onto each other. 

So... I've always known this game as "Mastermind."  It wasn't until after J opened it that I realized it actually says, "Masterman."  Ever heard of that???  A miss-print in their English here?  or is it really called that???  I have no idea... but J loves it!

 And, of course... breakfast!  I've changed up breakfast a lot over the years, but the cinnamon rolls seem to be requested every year. :)

So thankful to be saved by His grace, celebrating His birth with all these little blessings around me.  Merry Christmas!