Christmas Day

Christmas Day was perfect! We spent the whole day at home opening presents, playing with new toys, eating and talking to family. It started with stockings and toys from Santa.
Santa left a note saying "Thanks Owen for the milk and cookies. I shared a sip with Rudolph".

Look, more toys in here!
This is a Ben 10 watch. Owen has never seen the cartoon and doesn't really know much about the show. But it is super popular here and Ben 10 stuff is everywhere. This is the only thing Owen asked for from Santa. And Santa came through! The watch is also doubling as a Diego Watch, which Owen is also really into.

We skyped with our families while opening presents so that they could be part of the fun. Owen enjoyed showing off all of his new stuff to the grandparents. I am so thankful for Skype this year. It's not the same as being together, but it sure makes better when we can see and talk to each other like they are in the same room. Thanks for our parents for staying up so late to be a part of our Christmas morning!


We took a break between stockings and the rest of the gifts to eat homemade cinnamon rolls and play with the first round of toys.
Now on to the wrapped gifts. Of course Owen went for the biggest gift first!
Some favorite gifts from Grandma and Grandpa!
The Dora puzzles were a big hit. This is his first 20 piece puzzle and he is loving the challenge.
Spiderman jammies!
And a Dr. Kit from Great-Grandpa!
Owen took the stethoscope and putting it to Ryan's chest said, "Let me listen to your heart and see if I hear any birds." Later he was listening to my heart for dragons.

Here are some favorite gifts from Anne and Papaw!

Army guys...every little boys dream!
A whole bag full of art supplies.
This book is a special recording book where you can record yourself reading the book. Ryan's family each read a page of this sweet book, so Owen was really excited to open it and hear their voices.

Books and jammies from Memaw and Granny. Yeah!
Owen big gift from Mommy and Daddy was a new big boy potty. Owen has been ready to potty train for awhile, but we were advised not to start potty training until we were settled in our new home and finished with our year of transition. Owen was so excited! He immediately demonstrated how he is going to use it. He also got a book about putting your "botty on the potty", and big boy underwear. And just a few hours after getting the potty, Owen went tee tee in the potty for the first time.

Daddy and Owen both got Fenerbahce gear in support of their favorite football (soccer) team.
Here's a picture of the Christmas aftermath.
Our yummy Christmas dinner... potato soup and fancy grilled cheese sandwiches.
And for dinner... green mac and cheese, in honor of Christmas! Mac and cheese is a pretty special meal when it has to be sent from America.
Thanks to everyone for our wonderful gifts. Ryan bought a Kindle with his Christmas money and I bought a beautiful rug.
Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve

We had a party at our house Christmas Eve with several of our American Friends. We ate a ton of good food, had a hilarious white elephant gift exchange, read the Christmas story, sang some carols and played a rousing game of Cranium. It was a great time with our "surrogate family " :)



You can find some pretty strange things at the local stores around here. If anyone knows what you do with a giant slipper, Luke is open to suggestions. (This slipper is the gift Ryan found at the store and when he stopped to look at it, several ladies were swarming to buy this hot commodity).
Cute kiddos watching Frosty and Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer. Leaving cookies and milk for Santa. When I asked Owen where we should put them he immediately said "By the balcony door cause Santa's coming in through the balcony."

Playhouse Disney

So my 2 1/2 year old is now navigating himself through the Playhouse Disney website. He can move from games, to activities, to stories and back again. I'm pretty sure it took me my entire freshman year of college to figure out how to use the internet and here my little boy moves and clicks on the Apple Touch pad like it's second nature. And don't get me started on what he can do with the ipod Touch. Should I be worried? :)

English Christmas Service

Yesterday we attended a Christmas Service in English at a small old church not too far from our neighborhood. It was a wonderful time of worship and fellowship with other expats living in our city. The setting was perfect and the service was worshipful as we celebrated the birth of Jesus through song, prayer, scripture reading and communion. During this time of year when we are really missing our families, it is such a blessing to have brothers and sisters to celebrate with.