Smooshing the week of Christmas all together

as it often feels that way anyways

The kids were off from school, a few working at the embassy, lots of last minute Christmas stuff going on

Gingerbread housing together

J&A creation

S chateau

Rob and I working as a team

M&J with life cereal roof and tree

So much creating, ideas and fun goes into this afternoon

  

Driving around town in the evening, trying to catch the Christmas spirit while wearing shorts and sandals. This night was actually a little "cold" and all us Brasilian whimps were wishing for jackets

  

Christmas Eve gift exchange

Always my favorite time with everyone trying to guess who has who and 

the loves and hugs and happiness that ends up coming from this evening

  

     

Lining up Christmas morning, they are all such good sports!

J is seventh heaven with a new lego set, Harry Potter's castle

  

New phones are always a fun and appreciated package to open

  

Rob, representing on the bike

Gwen with the help of Aubrey made little elves for all her sisters

and let the Lego building commence with the help of big sisters who love Legos as much as anyone else

  

and what better way to celebrate Christmas then by swimming in the pool and building a snowman out of playdough

and just like that we found ourselves welcoming in the new year

Bring on 2020

Merry Christmas

Christmas this year was just wonderful

We stayed home

No where to travel, to be or places to drive

Rob and I started Christmas Eve morning with a bike ride

then we spent the rest of the day at home

baking, wrapping, organizing and getting ready for a friend get together that afternoon

By evening time we were back home exchanging gifts with the family

and participating in a 4 way WhatsApp Chat

with family in Virginia, Texas, and the rest of the crew in Utah

I am so thankful for technology and the ability to see and chat with friends and family

   

    

Little one thrilled to receive her very first lego set

J&G with a nice pile from Santa & parents 

M with her pile to display

A with her pile and a giant stack of books to dig into

Sam's stocking and pile

The big girls this year each received an "experience"

They really don't need more stuff and one on one time seems to be something they enjoy

Sam got a visit to the salon for a haircut and keratin treatment

Mad got a day of riding motorcycles with Dad

Aubrey got a lunch date and driving go-karts for the afternoon

Hopefully they will each enjoy these dates with us

Lining up for the obligatory photo on the stairs 

   

Thrilled as can be to see American Girl dolls in their pile

   

   

And the lego building begins!!

Can't complain about taking a dip in the pool Christmas morning!

By afternoon we had eaten, slept, organized and headed to the mall to watch Mary Poppins Returns

Merry Christmas