December....

So December has now come and gone. It was a very busy month, between church activities, work things, and just the Holidays it seemed to go by quickly. It was different being so far away from family but in truth we had a great Christmas. In many ways we loved just being us. After so much time apart who can blame us? NO exciting trips out in Japan to report. We were to busy and I am feeling to big and pregnant!

So in getting ready for Christmas, I had to convince Jeb that we really did need a Christmas tree. Since we didn't bring our nice fake one that left us the option of buying a fake one for a couple hundred dollars or a real one for twenty something. I choose real. So I went to pick it up and when I brought it home this is what I unwrapped.....

I don't know if you can see it clearly but it was several inches of pine needles. The tree was so dead. Every time we touched it a whole shower of needles would fall to the ground. The tag on it said it came from California. So we figure they cut it down in around Sept. or Oct. To ship it over here because they went on sale the day after Thanksgiving. Poor tree.

Once it was decorated it wasn't so bad.

(looks yummy huh?)

This year to give out to friends I made rum cake and sugar cookies. The rum cake was great and only raised a few eyebrows in the branch. I think that's the whole reason Jeb wanted me to make rum cake actually.... always a rebel. The cookies were because we had a primary activity and I made about a hundred cookies for it. For some reason almost half of mine were not used. So I gave them away with the rum cake. I didn't need more goodies around the house!

Christmas came and it was great. We do our best to keep our Christmas's simple. Still it was fun to find things for the girls. All Harley wanted was a Kimono. Niyah wanted the same as Harley, then later added a drum but we could not find one. So they received their own CD player/karaoke (since they love to turn on their music on our computer now they have their own music in their room) They love it! They love turning on their music and singing all the time now. Then of course lots of books, art supplies, the kimono's and a school computer game each. Then they were spoiled by the grandparents too. So they seemed to find lots to keep them happy. Oh and Christmas eve was spent with some friends (the Wilsons) over for Christmas eve dinner. It was really fun. Then they invited us over for a Feliz Navidad party on Christmas day. Which was always great with INCREDIBLE food! Allison Wilson is an amazing cook. It was a no kidding progressive six course dinner. I forgot to take pictures at both dinners but trust me I was to busy enjoying to remember to take pictures.

So here are some pictures of Christmas morning anyway.

They loved their Kimonos!

t

Isn't she stylish?

Her new dress up, she was not willing to wear it since it showed her belly!

This is what Jeb received from parents. Its exactly what he wanted and he loved it.

The first thing they did after all was opened and they were waiting for breakfast, paint. They love painting and drawing.

That's pretty much all we have to share for now. On a side note for those who asked if Japanese celebrate Christmas. They do, its kind of funny. They enjoy celebrating it and having parties but it has no other meaning to them. Someone compared it to how we celebrate Halloween. Truthfully to the pagans it is a very important religious holiday, to us it is no more then a celebration with candy and games. It is the same with most of Japan towards Christmas. There are a few Christians who think of it a bit differently. Still it is not as big as in the US.

oh and for an update. I am sooo ready to have this baby. Only a couple more weeks till she is due, but I have been having lots of contractions. Pretty steadily, but not strong enough to do anything yet. Just enough to wear me out! So everyone think positive and maybe she will be here sooner, not two weeks late like my other two. :)