This is the first year we have been away from family for Christmas since we have been married. As much as I love our families, I admit I (Keri) was kind of looking forward to the slowness and quietness of a small family Christmas, like I always had growing up. And truly, the month of December has not been the rushed blur it usually is because aside from one all-school Christmas concert and a small dorm party, we didn't go to any preschool programs, school programs, church programs, parties, open-houses, and because it was just us, we had very little shopping to do. And because we were away from our families, we decided to open our home to anyone in our ECA community who didn't have other plans. We ended up with 16 people for Christmas dinner and it was a blast! I had so much fun decorating and planning and I think all who came had a great time as well. We ate ham, turkey breast, broccoli salad, two kinds of stuffing, sweet potato casserole, applesauce, Venezuelan 'pan de jamon,' sushi rolls, olives, and for dessert chocolate pecan pie, pumpkin pie, and Rachel's birthday cake.
We bought the long table a few months ago at Ikea. With the leaf in it, it comfortably seats 12. We added a folding table to make room for everyone else.
I just put a roll of red foil wrapping paper down the center of the table and made these little napkin rings out of some 75% off Christmas garland we found at the grocery store. It's not exactly Christmas China, but I was pleased with how it all turned out.
Our dear friends George and Bonnie came over and Rachel quickly talked George into a game of Jonah-Go-Fish (Thanks, Miss Debbie!).
The entire gang, including two young ladies from the U.S. who are studying abroad in Germany. They are here for the week staying with our friend Penny.
And finally, to honor Rachel on her almost-birthday, we sang and let her blow out candles on her birthday cake.
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