A California Christmas :: Part II

(continued from "A California Christmas::Part I")

Christmas Day

We woke up on Christmas morning and started with the Rosenfeld's Christmas Morning Cheese Danish breakfast.

And mimosas

After breakfast Amelia & Andy wanted to see if Santa came.

Which he did!

He even left us one of his helpers...

SANDY Claus

Amelia wanted to help Mike open his stocking, hoping there would more doggie treats in it.

I got a Chick-Fil-A giftcard....

But the nearest Chick-Fil-A is 5 hours away!

Amelia sporting her Christmas bow. She was falling asleep sitting up!

Then it was time for our Christmas naps! 

The whole house took one.

Andy's favorite napping spot...

is under the couch!

So, our first Sunday at St. John's Chapel, we met Mrs. Glori Evert at the bake sale. About 30 seconds into meeting her, we found ourselves with plans for Christmas dinner. I was thrilled! Here was this sweet, little British woman so kindly opening her home to us on Christmas, and we were more than open to going. 

Glori also invited another family for Christmas dinner too: Kenny, Brenda, Virginia and Eli Enny. We had a lovely five-course meal, complete with fig pudding en flambe! I wish I could have taken pictures of it all, but I thought it would be rude to pull out my camera all through dinner. You'll just have to use your imagination.

Here's her Christmas table

She had Advent calendars and a little gift for each of the children. Can you see the cylinder-type things next to each plate? Those are called crackers. You pull them apart and out pops a present. I got a mini-screwdriver, and Mike got a manicure kit!

Glori is one of the most enthusiastic people I know. She truly loves her life and is grateful for all of her blessings. She loves her husband, "My Bill" more than anything, even still after he's been gone almost 5 years. How sweet! Her spirit is contagious! She has quickly become one of my best friends in Monterey. She has lived here for 46 years! She knows the area well and has been so kind to introduce it to me. I am thankful to God for bringing Glori into my life.

The O'Donnells and Glori

The Enny Family and Glori

 

What a spectacular first Christmas we had!!! I cannot wait for the many, many more to come! Though Mike will most likely be deployed for some of them, we'll always remember our first Christmas!