Annual Christmas Card
As Christmas approached, we met our 4 year mark of living in London. Our first Christmas here was just 9 days after we landed in London, and will forever be memorable because of the simpleness of it.
Carving the Roast Beef
This year, we invited the full-time missionaries who are serving in our ward, to come for our big Christmas Eve dinner. We appreciate these missionaries for all they do – as they spend time away from their families to teach the Gospel.
Sitting Down to Christmas Eve Dinner
We would say that we had a very traditional English Christmas meal, but that would be wrong. We had a very traditional English dinner, but English Christmas dinners usually consist of turkey, pigs in a blanket, roasted potatoes, stuffing, and brussel sprouts (much like an American Thanksgiving dinner). Our English dinner, that we happen to have on Christmas Eve each year, consists of roast beef, roasted potatoes, Yorkshire puddings, rolls, and a vegetable (this year, it was carrots).
English Christmas Crackers
Of course, you can’t start dinner until the crackers have been popped with arms crossed. We all put on our crowns, examined our tiny gifts/toys, and took turns reading our jokes. We had a great time learning more about the missionaries and their families. All the missionaries are from the states, except for Elder Titus, who is from a small country in Africa. He entertained us with displaying his native language, using the clicking dialect that is common there. Truly amazing!
Sister Bergstrom & Sister Finch
After dinner, we gave each of the missionaries gifts we had prepared for them. Elder Titus didn’t seem to mind that they were all American treats, but the others really appreciated them! The sisters each got a new scarf, while the elders added new ties to their wardrobes.
Elder Titus & Elder Larsen
In the evening, after the missionaries had already left, we did our traditional Nativity Story acting out, as well as opening up new pajamas. We started early enough this year that we even got to watch a Christmas movie before it was bedtime!
Christmas Jammies
The last two things to do before going to bed were to (1) make breakfast of monkey rolls and (2) leave out Santa’s goodies with a note.
Monkey Rolls in Process
Christmas Cookies for Santa
Christmas morning arrived late this year! It was amazing! Chris continued to tell the kids not to wake him up until he could see the sun, not them. They were true to their promises and let all the old folks sleep until after 8:30 a.m. Emma really appreciated this time shift as well, as she ventures into the ‘old folk’ category!
Santa’s Signature Next to an Empty Plate
Santa did indeed come . . . tradition at our house stands that we get to look and explore Santa gifts then we open up each item in our stockings, by taking turns. Some people may not have the patience for this, but we love it because it drags the excitement out even longer!
Santa Gifts and Stockings
After Santa’s gifts and stockings, we take a bit of a break and enjoy our breakfast, fresh out of the oven. We tend to alternate between monkey bread and cinnamon rolls. Always something sweet and easy.
Monkey Bread Breakfast
When we are ready to go again, Chris assumes the roll of gift giver. He always has a system! Next year we are contemplating just putting numbers on the gifts rather than names, so the kids will have no clue whose is whose!
Distributing Gifts
This Christmas was special, because Emma and Hannah took their own initiative to give us some items they had made at school. Emma gave me a self-portrait she had done for her art class. We kept hearing about this project so when it was completed, I kept asking when she’d bring it home so we could see it. She kept putting it off and eventually brought something home that was large and wrapped in newspaper. She kept it well hidden, but on Christmas morning there is was under the tree. I really do love it!
Emma’s Self-Portrait
When all the gifts were unwrapped and everyone dispersed to put their new things away, I realized I didn’t do a very good job in documenting our morning/day. We did enjoy the day together, staying in our pajamas, and relaxing.
Cami Enjoying Her Barbie RV
Later in the day, Emma was in charge of dinner and put together a menu of party food – yummy but simple! We enjoyed another great movie night and ate up all the family time that we could!
“Christmas Dinner”
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