Home for the Holidays

Yes! I am home for Christmas. I don't think I've been home for Christmas for several years. Usually I was working or just couldn't get time away enough to make it worthwhile. Even further ironic, I was here in San Diego only three weeks ago! It's bad enough to the point mom was talking to some little old Lady she was friends with at church and the woman was surprised to find out I lived in Peru. "How is that possible?" she said, "You're always here." Well, between the six weeks I was home in August, then Thanksgiving, and now, it's not an illogical conclusion.

Believe me though, if it weren't for Mom and Dad's birthday party and all other celebrations, I would not have made the trip in November. I was back in Lima for only 3 weeks! The time in November was busy and productive and I'm finding it to be true for December also. Overall I'm here for about two weeks.

Christmas Eve my parents and I went to my brother Matthew's house for dinner. With his four children under the age of 8, everyone was easily entertained.

Mom with Matthew's youngest, Amanda who just turned a year old

Reading Christmas stories, with some grandchildren more interested than others

Amanda enjoying the train under the tree. Matthew says they don't put gifts out under the tree because Amanda will open them. 

When we did the Nativity story, Derek, age 3, said he wanted to be a wiseman. I'm wondering where the costume came from.

Cory, who is 6, said he wanted to "be" the manger this year. His mom said it was an improvement from the other role he desired, "the manger Potato." I have to admit, he was a very reverent, calm, manger.

Amanda was to be baby Jesus. Here her parents put her on the manger (with her older brother Cory under the blanket). Didn't work out too well. 

And I got to be a shepherd. 

Christmas morning it was just Deborah and I with Mom & Dad. It's funny how no matter how old you get, some things never change. We were up at about 7:44 am and I looked at Deborah and asked, "When do we wake up Mom and Dad?" They got up shortly after that. 

I was happy to not get a lot of stuff. It means more luggage space.

For dinner that night we had about 20 people over for dinner. Deborah's fiance, his four siblings, father, my brother Matthew and family (6 people), only to be joined later by my brother Michael and his 4 kids. And Mom decided to make a turkey! We were in the kitchen ALL DAY!  I was so over cooking by the end of it! Next year, my goal is to go somewhere for Christmas where I'll be the guest and not the host.