We enjoyed a crazy, chaotic Christmas at home today and here are the remains! The kids were thrilled with their gifts from Santa and family and friends. We were all definitely spoiled and thank Mom and Dad, April and Steve, Nate and Becky, Michele and Jason, Brenda and Sonny, Julie and Ted, Patti and Brian, Patti Beth and Chris, Pat and Chuck, and Grandparent Hughes for all your gifts, and most especially for thinking of us.  

We enjoyed being woken up early (yeah, right!) by our eager little one, and stayed in our jammies all day.  Jeff spent hours trying to help them set up their new electronic devices. Thank God, for him. It was nice to have a day without an agenda. We took a ride later in the afternoon to see some nearby towns such as Vinkeveen, Abcoude, and Uithoorn and to see the countryside before coming back home for an interesting dinner. We bought what we thought was a smoked pork roast, however it had somewhat of an odd flavoring of cloves and spices that none of us really liked. At least the roasted brussel sprouts with bacon and the pan fried potatoes were tasty!! Luckily no one came over for dinner tonight, otherwise we would have had to throw in a pizza at the last minute!!

Thank you Laurie for calling me and catching up. April and Steve and J & S, I loved seeing you in your jammies too and watching your excitement on Facetime while you opened up the little dutch treats we sent. Thank you Kimmy for letting me see my nieces too – I loved watching G dance to her new game, and K’s long hair, and T’s joyful spirit. Mom and Dad – thanks for calling too. 

We wish you a Merry Christmas, filled with joy and hope, magic and love, anticipation and excitement.  xoxo

Tonight is Christmas Eve and we chose to stay in the Netherlands this year and have a European Christmas.

We went to church with friends and enjoyed the uplifting Christmas music and message of hope and light.

Afterwards, we had friends over for an appetizer and finger food type dinner with drinks and desserts. I love having people over and tonight was great! I feel at home here and I love the new friends we’ve made.

After everyone left, we called B to Facetime with her family and open the package she had sent us. We opened the box to see this:

I cracked up laughing before we saw even more that was in the box, which was such a sweet and thoughtful surprise. Back home, we have a tradition of playing Santa’s Elf and leaving a sign on friends’ doors along with little treats and a message explaining the elf process, and paying it forward to two more friends. And you had to be sneaky and not reveal yourself. How sweet was it that they chose us all the way over here??

What was in the box was above and beyond too and something for each of us. But what made me smile the most was the sound of laughter coming from Charlie’s friend, D. He was so happy to see Charlie and Charlie to see him that they just giggled and shared inside jokes. I smiled and cried too…. Missing home just a little bit again and thankful for good friends.

So with that, I wish you the touch of magic that Christmas offers and the gift of love and friendship that fills our souls. Merry Christmas, friends.