On Christmas Eve, we have a fondue dinner with some friends. Michelle’s family growing up did that every year since somewhere in the late 70s (?!). Here, a few years ago we were casually talking with some friends who also have done fondue, and we now have ours together. We do cheese, oil, and chocolate. It is a fun night, which usually includes games like Dutch Blitz as well.
This year we put out a plate of cookies and milk for Santa, and a carrot for Rudolf. We set out the stockings after Cristiana was asleep -- which at this point is still not a difficult thing, getting her to bed on Christmas night.
Christmas morning came to the sounds of the usual pitter patter of her little feet. We opened gifts, but this year with a special twist . . . Keith, Jen [Rod’s sister] and their kids were here. Rod read the Christmas story from Luke and we talked about why Jesus came, then prayed and thanked Him for that coming. It was fun as Daddy was Santa, and Cristiana was the little elf. We all opened stockings and then went under the tree to see what was there.
As usual, our Christmases here are small -- but we LIKE it that way. Our church has sent us “Christmas in July” gifts for the last few years, so that was our big boxes under the tree. Then, we had a few other fun things like beef jerky for our dog Osa, who was allowed into the house to find her gift.
The kids in front of the tree . . . [Clay, Cristiana, Anna, Sierra]
Us in front of the tree . . . (yes, I was a little bloated that day!)
Cristana opening one of her gifts . . .
