St. Nicholas Day 2012

St. Nick visited our house again on Dec 6... It's so nice of him to follow us around the world, so we can celebrate in different countries each year.

This year was different than other years, because Ellie was really trying to figure it out. I didn't want to lie to her and say that St. Nick was really going to come, but I didn't want to spell it out completely. So, in response to her questions, I asked her, "Do you think St. Nick really comes?" She laughed and said, "No." I said, "So who brings the presents?" She said, "People." I figured she got it then. Later, though, Franklin and I were chatting and it turns out she doesn't get it completely. One of the gifts she got was a watch and she said to her daddy, "I wonder if Uncle Mitch got this for me." Maybe next year she'll figure it all out. :)

A blurry reaction, but still you can see her happiness.

Playing with Abraham's sea creatures. (Mommy put toy cars on the shopping list, but upon return from the shopping trip, St. Nick had sea creatures instead of cars...)

Both Ellie and Franklin got watches. I'm not sure what Abe's facial expression means. Excitement? Disgust?

Ellie's fancy new barrettes... and those silly sea creatures again.

Happy St. Nicholas Day!

***Editor's note. I'm sure we have a horrible camera. I could not get a non-blurry photo... urgh. I'm absolutely certain it has nothing to do with the quality of the people taking the pictures!

Thanksgiving-Take 3

Yep, that's right! We had three, count 'em... 1,2,3! Thanksgivings this year! I told you we had a lot to be thankful for.

A couple days after the second Thanksgiving celebration, we hosted a surprise Thanksgiving for a couple of friends who were out of town for the other celebration. It was their first Thanksgiving as a couple away from the States, so I thought celebrating Thanksgiving was important. To make it seem like Thanksgiving so long after the real Thanksgiving, I made turkey hats for everyone. :) 

It was a funny week, the first week of December in our house. We had three holidays colliding together. We celebrated a very late Thanksgiving, started Advent readings with Ellie, and celebrated St. Nicholas Day.

Thanksgiving-Take 2

 On Dec 1 we had a Thanksgiving gathering for friends who live in the same town as us. We timed Abraham's nap well, so he was sound asleep for quite a bit of the time.

The only other picture I got from the gather was one of the kiddos eating together.

We have so, so, so much to be thankful for. The wonderful friends that we have here, who are really like family to us, are among the many blessings God has blessed us with.

Weekly Walks

My friend and I have started meeting once a week with our kids at the University down the road. Our kids play while we have a nice chat watching them play or persuading them to stroll with us. It took a bit of courage to go at first. I felt awkward taking our stroller out, as only the wealthy have strollers here. It also felt strange to walk so far without Franklin with me, even though we don't even go a full mile away.
After about a month of our weekly outings, though, I'm convinced they are worth it. They definitely increase the quality of my life. :)

It's just a bonus that I get to go over my favorite staircase each week now, too. :)