We packed a lot into the Christmas Holiday season this year. In all honesty - I think in part it was to keep our minds occupied and be thankful for the things we are experiencing while in India and trying not to dwell TOO MUCH on the traditions, family and friends that we were all really missing... ESPECIALLY around this time of year.
David showing Santa where to go.
I'm surprised we didn't break the stage!
"Thank-You Toast" to our friends in the US that sent the kids their sparkling cider to ring in the New Year!
We hosted our first annual B'lore
Fam & Friend Christmas Party
Lara (our little German "Life-Saver")
I don't know what Erica would do without her!
They are two peas in a pod!
Arttu & Joona - Brothers & Two of our Fab Finnish Friends!
The trampoline is great for keeping LOTS of kids happy
and entertained ALL at the same time!
Children from all over the world enjoyed watching
"ELF" What's not to love, right?! Such a great movie!
"I like Smiling. Smiling's my favourite!"
When Matt's boss, Steve, came over for dinner we all started talking about Elf. What ensued was the next half an hour filled with us howling at the table all taking turns quoting our favourite moments in the movie. "Santa. I KNOW him!!" "The best way to spread Christmas cheer is singing loud for all to hear!" "We elves try to stick to the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corns & syrup!" "I'm a cotton-headed ninny muggins!"
When Steve shared his favourite part of the movie is when Buddy burps. (I mean it's the longest, loudest burp EVER) and then Buddy looks around the dinner table and says, "Did you hear that?!" I thought Michael was going to bust a gut. That's his favourite part too and listening to Steve lead up to the big BELCHING moment - Michael was in stitches!
Enjoyed having all of our staff & their families over to celebrate Christmas with us.
We thought about showing them Elf too but then decided on a cute cartoon The Happy Elf instead because many of them do not speak much English.
Matt, Claudius and Happy
Everybody always takes off their shoes b4 entering the house. Just make sure you leave with YOUR shoes! ;0)
Present Time!
Checking out their treasures
It was a lot of fun hosting our staff. They do so much for us and it was nice to give them all a "break" and "serve" them for once! We have been very blessed to have God put all of these people into our lives.
One of the special things we did for the kids this year was to take them to their favourite hotel, The Leela Palace, for a surprise Santa Breakfast. We went with our friends, Katie & Derek and their two boys, Zach & Austin. Katie brought the boys in their special Christmas jammies and I dressed our kids in Christmas coloured Indian outfits.
Arriving at the Leela
Don'tcha LOVE the pants!?!
Merry Christmas 2011
Waiting for their food
Who knew!? Cloth napkins make GREAT elf hats!
Whistlin' Dixies
Nice HAT Rachel!
Cookie Decorating
David! Good Decorating!!
Chef Michael
Erica is proud of her Christmas Confections!
A work of art!
Kids posing with the Leela Singers
Singing Christmas Carols Waiting for Santa
Here comes Santa Claus....Here comes Santa Claus...
Right Down Santa Claus Lane
Santa Climbing Down from his Sleigh
David talking Santa's Ear Off!! ;0)
One last snap of the whole gang!
The Fab Four Checkin' Out Santa's Rig
Good-Bye Leela Palace!
Tradition...Putting the train around the Christmas tree!
This year Claudius & Arttu were here to help!
Arttu's turn to be the engineer & drive the train!
A new tradition!? It's a "Christmas Coconut!"
I don't know if it was because the children were not constantly being exposed to advertisements on television for the latest "hot ticket" toy or gadget this season or what but this year the "want list" was extremely small. (What a treat for their parents!) One thing they all asked for was "a big wheel scooter." Their Razor scooters that we bought them several Christmases ago have served us well over the years. Many MANY countless hours of racing those things down our driveway back home in the US. The children would go whipping down the driveway so fast that it was a wonder we never ended up having to take anyone to the ER. Anyhow, this Christmas they all had their eyes fixed on an "Oxelo" scooter. Similar to the Razor just a lot bigger, taller and more "substantial" feeling, if that makes sense? In fact, I actually look normal...okay. Only SOMEWHAT normal when I ride on one of the Oxelo scooters! ;0)
I know this b/c on any given day you can go to a huge sports store called Decathlon and find all kind of sports equipment AND! You can try everything out! I suggest NEVER going on a Saturday! Its' a MAD HOUSE! Men....women...children....(Not just ME!!) EVERYONE will be flying around the store trying out store models of the latest scooters, skateboards, Rollerblades, bikes etc. (Mind you - They do have helmets you are supposed to wear while you are trying out the equipment but that's a LICE episode waiting to happen, is it not!?!?!?! ISH!!!) I know, I know! It's not good either way. Either you are taking a chance on bruising your brain or acquiring scratch inducing scalp bugs! Neither of which I want to experience! (Moral of that story!?! No matter how much fun EVERYONE else looks like they are having. DO NOT DO IT!! - Avoid. Yield not to temptation! Under no circumstances do you test any of the wheeled devices. It's dangerous I tell you. Wery Wery dangerous (said in my best Indian accent!) Turn away. ABORT mission! Okay! Phew now that that is behind us!.....
So, one day while the kids were at school I snuckOxelo scooters and of course I rode around on all the toys like a kid at heart! Shhhhh! I know, I know. I just gave that big lecture about NOT doing it! What can I say...I'm a WILD CHILD!! ;0) Please don't tell Mommy! Hehe! It really was like being a kid...and as I whizzed around the store aisles (throwing caution to the wind) I also had this strong sense of "Isn't this GRAND!? I don't have to SHARE this stuff with anyone!!" ;0)
Once arriving back at home - I snuck all the scooters upstairs and stashed them in one of the bathroom showers! Hehe! They'd never think to look there!
Ya-HooOooOOOo! BIG WHEEL SCOOTERS ;0)
Hey-Hoooo! Erica doin' her happy dance! ;0)
Everyone needed new sneakers so we wrapped them up and gifted them for Christmas!
Lights to clip onto the front of their scooters.
Cricketttttt!!!
Everybody got a waterproof-monogrammed pool bag. (One of the local charities makes them.)
Christmas Dinner
Daddy's famous grilled pork-chops. Cheesy Bean casserole, sliced apples & rice!
Erica & I are all ready to celebrate New Year's!
Tears on her shirt...
My poor, sweet and sensitive Erica. This was by FAR her hardest Holiday which might seem a bit strange to some...New Year's?! For the last 3-4 years we have had an ongoing tradition where we get together with 3 other families and have a huge party and sleep over - It's truly a highlight of the YEAR for our WHOLE family but Erica just couldn't get out of her "own way". She'd be fine and then the next minute she'd come find me for a hug and she'd be bawling in my arms. It was so pitiful. I knew the sadness she was feeling - I felt it too - I just wasn't sobbing about it ;0) It's hard when things you are used to are different. I know she had a good time at our New Year's Eve party but she didn't forget her friends from home and isn't that how it's supposed to be afterall!? "Make new friends but keep the Old ones...." (As a side note when I first tried to sing that song to Erica upon moving here - I would CRY every time.) So, ya know. Like Mother-Like-Daughter....some of us are prone to tears aren't we?!
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I even found her crying in the PANTRY!!!    |
Cheers!!
"Thank-You Toast" to our friends in the US that sent the kids their sparkling cider to ring in the New Year!
Fun on the Tramp
Coconuts Roasting on an Open Fire
Our Neighbors, Jeremy & Marzena
Putting another coconut in the fire!
Bowker & Jet
Happy NEW Year 2012
It's crazy looking back on 2011 (which seems like yesterday, does it not!?) I never would have been able to guess that in one years time how vastly my day to day life would change! I sometimes still have to pinch myself as it doesn't seem real that we are half away across the globe from friends and family & living in India. But then the power surges or a goat runs across my path and I quickly snap back into reality b/c "Toto! We're not in Kansas anymore!" ;0)
Some days are amazing - Some are dreadful BUT it's all part of this adventure and "you take the good - you take the bad - you take them both and there ya have...The Facts of Life" (is anyone else humming that tune along with me?! I used to LOVE that show!) Anyhow! That was a slight bunny trail - I am so grateful for new friends and acquaintances we have made since arriving here and certainly feel so fortunate to have such amazing friend and family at home too. It really is true, you "make new friends - But keep the old ones!" Love to all & Happy New Year! Welcome 2012!
Awesome recap of the holiday season Jen. You guys seem to be settling in and doing well. So happy for you but seeing the pictures make me miss guys even more . The picture of Rachel in the pantry was a killer. Hurry back
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Looks like you had a fun Christmas and New Year! My heart goes out to Erica and the rest of you on the days when you miss your family and friends! We are super excited about hanging out with the whole crew soon! :) XOXO
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