Christmas and Boxing Day

Ready or not. The time has come. December 24! Holy Eve = Heilig Abend

Our church has a 5 o'clock service which is mainly visited by people with children. Obviously. A family service. Then there is what was always called "the midnight service". About that later. Sarah texted me that they would come to the 5 pm service which they usually do. Wade's parents were visiting them so we were 9 and occupying not only the third row on the left but also the next. 

Our services are always streamed on FaceBook so I screenshot these photos from there. 

All three boys went forward to the children's sermon. They are never shy about it. Ha-ha, they also always sit in the same places.

I love our church. I love how the gospel is read from the middle of the aisle. That's what Jesus commanded "bring the word to the people".

Ha-ha, and the peace always takes a little while too. And yes, we even hug.

Sarah had texted me that they had planned to go home via "tacky Christmas lights houses". But since it would have been relatively early after the service I had suggested that they all could come to our house for a quick dinner like soup and salad. 

They liked that idea and that is what happened. The soup was in a crockpot and was readily warm when we arrived back after the service. There was plenty for the 9 of us and it was nice to chat a little. I don't think they stopped later at any "tacky lights" because there was a lot of traffic around those places.

James and I went to the "midnight service" which actually started this year at 10 pm with 30 minutes of caroling starting at 9:30 pm. Without excited children that service of course is much different. We would not want to miss either one.

It was midnight by the time we were home and because of the late bedtime we took our time the next morning.

Christmas Day December 25

In the afternoon we made our way "over the river". As every year we were invited to celebrate with Sarah and her family. When we arrived everybody was outside in the back yard. The weather was very nice and wood was burning in the firepit. Besides Wade's parents there was also his Uncle Jon with wife and son visiting. We had not seen them for a while and it was nice to chat with them which we always enjoy. Too bad I forgot to take photos. 

Later the children showed us their gifts. We had brought some too. The kitchen island had nibbles on them. It just was a very casual nice time.

Then it was time for the feast and Wade carved the beef sirloin, cooked to perfection as always.

The boys were excited about the pretty table. We always ask where they want us to sit.

And of course we even had British Christmas crackers. 

The boys are excellent readers and had much fun with the trivia and facts they found inside the crackers. And the paper crowns of course. Note to ourselves: Sarah and my stash of those crackers is totally gone and we should not forget to replenish! 

Afterwards Sarah even took time to play ping-pong when Colin asked. 

December 26 - Boxing Day

You know what this means. First thought is my father who would have had a birthday today too. James likes it when I suggest what I would like to do. I had googled 'German restaurants near me' and found a new to us one over the river. I should have paid attention to the name: Fest Biergarten! Large wooden tables and heavy benches inside and out only. We were advised to sit at a table were we could sit with the backs leaning against the wall. It was very rustic but the people were nice. The menu listed mainly different style sausages. We had fun!

When we drove home I remembered an email I had received from the Publix supermarket just outside our community and we decided to act on it. It was a happy birthday gift. We even could select which cake we wanted. It was very yummy. Thank you!

The next day was Saturday. Since Sarah didn't have to work she offered to set up their gift to us. It was a birdfeeder with camera and solar power. We had already read the directions and thought much about where to install it. Sarah suggested to mount it at the crepe myrtle. From there it could be easily moved later. Good thought. 

It is nice that we even can see it from the inside. 

Yeah, it works!

And it didn't take long for the first bird to arrive. The camera sends 10-seconds-videos to an app on my phone whenever it senses a movement.

I have the feeling that you will see more photos like the above in future blogs. Thank you for this lovely gift ... and setting it up (smile).

A fun day! But it is not over yet. Something very good to report about this day in the next blog!