This Christmas Eve had a few firsts for our family including:
not celebrating it with our own family,
not cooking and serving a minimum 5 course feast,
and not eating PORK!
We tried to do the "best of the best" but sadly the peppers were only so so and the lasagna was a sad imitation of what we usually prepare due to the lack of pork products and good cheese. But we are delighted to say that the tirimisu was the best Chris has ever concocted. We have been gathering supplies all year throughout our travels and just hoped that the commissary would have the imported mascarpone that shows up every so often and.....it did!
not celebrating it with our own family,
not cooking and serving a minimum 5 course feast,
and not eating PORK!
We tried to do the "best of the best" but sadly the peppers were only so so and the lasagna was a sad imitation of what we usually prepare due to the lack of pork products and good cheese. But we are delighted to say that the tirimisu was the best Chris has ever concocted. We have been gathering supplies all year throughout our travels and just hoped that the commissary would have the imported mascarpone that shows up every so often and.....it did!
When it comes to Christmas I say the more the merrier. After our Friday meetings we and around 15 others bringing salads, breads, and other goodies gathered to celebrate the season.
The children decorated sugar cookies.
After the main meal a white elephant gift exchange commenced. We ended up with a Ben 10 Monopoly game (which we stole amongst the Jenkins to be sure it was kept in the family), a talking parrot which no one would take from us, and...
a plunger (new at least) with coordinating fly swatters and candy canes for a short time. It proved to be too hot an item and was stolen from Zach after he stole it from someone else.
Ah the white elephant game....a time to come together with good friends and empty out the contents hidden deep in your closets. But it can backfire on you when you bring home others less desirables. Or when your child picks, unintentionally, your own gift to bring back home like Ethan did. I'm happy to say that we did unload an old Nikon film camera and some interesting incense burners.
Some traditions still hold true no matter the distance or who you are with. Before we packed up for our 2 hour journey home the boys opened one gift from Grandma S.
New PJs!
Ethan was delighted to receive HERO PJs as lately his favorite song has been "I Need A Hero" from the Shrek sound track.
All and all it was a wonderful evening spent with good friends. Thanks David and Tiffany for opening your home to all us who were far from homes and loved ones this holiday season.
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