Be Our Guest, Be Our Guest...put our cookies to the test!.

Although we find it kind of hard to get into the Christmas spirit over here...We have had some fun activities lately...

There was Christmas carolling in the desert last Friday nite..The stars stretched on forever and the bonfire lit up the nite sky. It was even cold enough to wear sweaters and jackets. Very nice. And last nite...all 6 of us sat and watched It's a Wonderful Life. This is actually Russell's tradition...and there we all were. It was great. I've had Christmas Carols on the computer almost constantly...including Dallas weather updates..which is pretty fun, too. :) The kids and I baked cookies, Russell played Santa and brought lots of stuff from home, and...

We hosted the now 2nd annual Christmas party for the apartment building. This year it was for the kids. One day in November I noticed several kids unloading from the buses after school and going into our building. And it just popped in my head...:)...hey this year I won't have a Holiday tea just for the ladies...It will be a party for the kids. About 20 people came..from Pakistan, India, England, Denmark, Serbia and Japan. We decorated Christmas cookies that my friend Jean Page graciously baked, played a British Christmas game called Pass the Parcel sort of Hot Potato with music, and surprises inside. Ate lots of snacks and then heard the Christmas story. Truth? I feel like I fumbled thru the story...BUT am not going to dwell on that.

It was fun and lots of the ladies want to have coffee. Sallie and Robert liked meeting more kids in the building...So overall, a good time was had by all. My neighbors from across the hall even came...They brought us the coolest gift...a cap from the Pakistani Navy Ship that her husband works on. Now THAT'S a keeper.

No, it's not the same as being with all of you this holiday season. Mike will probably be going into the office some on Christmas day, and we miss our friends and family..But God is good and we are reminded that He truly is the reason for the Season.

To God be the glory...Great things He has done.

Merry Christmas 2008, Everyone.

The Hildebrands