First Christmas Eve in China

Christmas Eve has been a lot of fun so far. We started a Pajama Hunt tradition a few years back during which the kids search for their new pajamas to sleep in for Christmas. We upped the ante this year by adding in a new movie to the Christmas Eve festivities, though I wasn't able to make it as Pinterest-worthy as I'd hoped. Maybe next year I'll get the whimsical basket put together with the PJs, movie, hot chocolate, and popcorn! But, the end result is still pretty much the same...kids laid out on the couch, hopefully getting droopy-eyed, while they watch Charlie and Lola in their new, Judy-Chruma-sent PJs. (Notice the U of AZ blanket...)

Earlier in the evening, we went to a Christmas Eve party across our neighborhood with a bunch of the other expats who live in our complex. The hosts organized all the children to act out the Christmas story while one of the dads narrated. Violet was too scared to participate, but Justus jumped right into his role as a shepherd dressed in a striped men's polo shirt and carrying a stuffed lamb to come see the Holy Family in the stable. It was good to be together with others celebrating the coming of our Lord.

(What isn't obvious in this picture is the absolute excitement Justus had over getting these pajamas! He was jumping around and screaming with delight when he got them on!)

We are getting ready to turn in for the night as many of you in the US are just getting ready for lunch and maybe some last-minute shopping. Much love to all of you and a very Merry Christmas!