December 22 - Christmas Parties

Brooke slept well, and reluctantly finished her math lesson today.  She is looking forward to Rylynn's Christmas party tonight.  Rilynn's sister is home from boarding school.  Most high school kids here go to boarding schools, but they all come home for winter break and everyone has parties and get-togethers for all of the kids.  Rylynn's house is my favorite... decorated so beautifully with all of the lights.

Rylynn can't believe Brooke really broke her writsts... and both of them!  She feels terrible.

Kimberly looks like she's been in the kitchen preparing for this party all day!

Brooke's friends are signing her casts.

The rest of us went to a Christmas party where 400 people were invited!  I didn't know there were any houses here that are big enough for that many people at one time.

They had Santa hand gifts out to the children by the pool.

Here is a cookie tree!

At the side of the patio we could get a shawarma.

There was even a choir singing Christmas carols.

On the grass, there was a lighted tent for the children.  Reese and Grace look like they are enjoying a nice little tea party on the pillows...

...but behind them were boys yelling, throwing pillows, and fighting, and the girls just sat and ignored them as if they weren't there... too funny.

Jordan and I sat by the fire and enjoyed the warmth while we ate.

Here is the chocolate fountain.  I didn't see a child who didn't have chocolate dripped down their clothing.

We had a wonderful time getting to know people and enjoying all the good food.  We're looking forward to Christmas in a couple of days.  We've been told that tomorrow a group of people are going sand sledding... we don't know what that is, but we'll try to join them.  

It's just as easy here to get caught up in all the fun activities and forget the real reason for Christmas.  I hope you all have time to slow down and give God the glory for the precious gift he has given us!

- Love, Pattie -