We've never been so far away all our family for Christmas before. We've also never lived in the southern hemisphere and had a hot Christmas before. This was a year of many firsts for us, but we all really enjoyed our first Christmas 'down under'.
We usually decorate the tree the Friday after Thanksgiving, but this year we had to wait a few days. (We did have a fun Thanksgiving dinner party though!)
We started by decorating the family tree. We got a 'fake' tree, since the heat of our current location would make short work of a fresh tree.
Joy and I spent WAY too long making decorations like this one. I had great plans of making many, until I realized how long it took to make this one. Joy still hasn't finished hers. We put a gold pin through a gold bead, then through a sequin, then dipped the pin in glue and shoved it in a foam ball. Like I said, this is the only one...
We then moved our attention to Joy's bedroom. She bought her own little tree and lights. She spent a long time putting this together, and decorating it 'just so'.
After that was complete, she used extra items to decorate her bed, window and door. She was so excited we made a picnic lunch and ate in her bedroom.
'Down Under' Christmas break also marks the end of a school year. Joy finished off her year with a talent contest. Boomer and I spent HOURS waiting for her performance, but it was worth it. We were so proud, and happy to share the moment with her. For those who didn't see her performance, here you go...
Six weeks of school-less, summer/warm holiday fun, PLUS the added excitement of Christmas. I am glad I wasn't teaching school here! The kids had so much energy I swear I could hear a buzz as they all sat, similar to sitting under an electric wire.
We filled our break with lots of fun, blogs about non Christmas things will follow. As for Christmas, we enjoyed making gingerbread houses with friends...
Going to the Sydney Temple to see the Nativity and Christmas lights... This picture is of Joy and her bff, with their 'kids' (teddy bears).
Each year at the temple they put up a series of tents that depict the Christmas story. It was obviously our first time to go, and we were so impressed. Although Boomer found the life size mannequins a bit 'creepy'. I enjoyed the spirit of it all.
There was a huge screen with a picture of Christ, and I turned around to see Joy and her bff staring up. It filled my heart with joy and peace. I love this shot, even though it couldn't capture the full 'feeling', you'll get the idea. I sure love my Joy, and am thrilled that we've always been blessed to live in areas where she has good, strong, faithful friends to share her life with. It makes such a difference, and I know this isn't the case for everyone. Looking at this picture with me, she said she wished 'Megan' were there too, then it would have been perfect.
Megan and Joy did an international exchange of the 25 days of Christmas. Joy spent ages picking out the perfect gift in the shops, then bringing it to me for size/weight approval. This took a while, but eventually she wrapped up the gifts and shipped them off to Ireland, with a few days to spare before the anticipated December 1st deadline. Much to her surprise, she got a package back a week later with 25 gifts for her to open! She was thrilled, and they instantly went under her Christmas tree.
Joy did the same for her local bff and was thrilled and surprised to find a gift on our doorstep every morning from her, too!
So, each morning she woke up... far too early during holidays... and opened two presents. Then ran to me, again, far too early during school holidays, to show me what she had got. I know these are girls are lifelong friends, and it is such a pleasure to watch their friendships develop.
Christmas Eve we had a dinner party
outside, sat around singing carols with friends and a ukulele playing missionary from our church, and watched the kids do the nativity scene. I'm not sure where those pictures are, if I find them I'll add them in the future.
Eventually the stockings were hung by the candles with care...
Joy was so hot she ended up stripping down at some point in her sleep. A first for us on Christmas Eve! Check out her red little cheeks!! (The kangaroo she's sleeping with was a her Christmas Eve gift she opened. We always open one.)
Christmas morning arrived, and we had 9am church for an hour! Boomer, Joy and I joined the choir and were singing together Christmas morning. It was such a fun experience. We decided in advance we would open presents when we returned home.
Joy was a great sport about it. She was permitted to open her stocking as early as she wanted. I was surprised to hear her 'skyping' with my mom in Florida, showing her all the things she got in her stocking. A memory I'm sure my mom will always cherish. Perhaps we need to get this girl a sibling to share early mornings with!!
I'm trying to become a seamstress, and made this dress for Joy. This is right before we left for church. Isn't she gorgeous? I sure love this girl of mine!
After church, we opened all the presents. A few hours later I showed her that she missed one present wrapped in the tree. There was ONE present she was hoping for, and didn't get. If I can figure out how to BLEEP out names, I'll post a great video.
This, however, is what she opened. She is officially a mermaid now, and beyond thrilled.
2011 was a year of many changes for our kangaroo family, and we've settled in pretty well to our new life 'down under'. We were blessed in Ireland with friends that were so good, they too became family. It was hard to say goodbye. We love and miss them so much.
In our 6 months here, down under, we've already found friends to add to our list of 'family'.
We are blessed beyond measure and so thankful for each of our friends and family members who reside on many continents, in many countries and many more time zones!
I hope you, too, are surrounded with friends and family - not just at the holidays, but all year. I also hope to host as many of you as possible in Australia, so get saving!
Merry Christmas (really late)
