The Best Gifts Aren't Wrapped

Christmas Eve
Originally uploaded by the golbys.

We received a Christmas card from our friends that said, "The best Gifts aren't wrapped." We've found that to be especially true this year. We've been blessed with good friends, a home in beautiful Hawaii and a darling little girl. And even though we were far from many of the people we love and who love us, we were grateful that our little family could be together to celebrate the God who lay in a manger so that we could know His love. Our first tropical Christmas was very merry, indeed.

We attended services on Christmas Eve at our church, which is just up the hill from our apartment. Our friends the Autrys came with us and they and some other friends from church stopped by after service for some cider and cookies and a piece of Buche de Noel. (That's French for yule log, for those of you that aren't Marie Childress!) We have lots of cookies left over, so if you've got a sweet tooth and you happen to be on Oahu, you should definitely stop by!

Presents
Originally uploaded by the golbys.

Christmas morning came slightly later than normal, since Kathleen had been tuckered out by all the evening's festivities. But when she did wake she was very excited to see the gifts under the tree. Kathleen has been blessed by some very generous relatives, and they blessed her with lots of gifts. We opened presents, ate breakfast, played with presents, played with wrapping paper and boxes, opened more presents, and then had to take a break for a nap! And when she woke up, we did it all over again. Well, except for the breakfast. That time we had lunch.

Mind if I take this call?
Originally uploaded by the golbys.

A few toys emerged as clear favorites, though. A cell phone from her cousins was an enormous hit. (Should it trouble me that my toddler knows how to flip open a toy cell phone when it rings?) She loves the Noah's Ark she got from Mommy and Daddy, and how she can put the animals in and out of the ark's door. And a bench from her Uncle Kevin and Aunt Marie was the first thing she went for Christmas morning. The bench has her name on the top as a puzzle, and she loves to pull the letters out to play with them. The other thing she really likes about the bench is climbing up on it. We have lots of this going on here lately:

So Tall!
Originally uploaded by the golbys.

On Christmas afternoon we headed to the Autrys, where we enjoyed an absolutely delicious Christmas dinner, and entertainment courtesy of Kathleen and Adeline. Adeline had received a wagon for Christmas, so after dinner the girls got to ride around the block in style! And after that, we all went home, full and happy and tired.