MERRY CHRISTMAS 2014

As a disclaimer, this is a long blog post so if you are not up for it...go ahead and skip this one.  

Christmas 2014 was wonderful.  It was very busy and full of activities but it was nice to be able to continue many of our traditions and have some firsts also.  We love the Christmas season because we are able to spend many hours together celebrating the TRUE meaning of Christmas.

Here is an overview of our December and many of our favorite activities.  Living so far way from family can be difficult during the holiday season.  We are so blessed to be part of such FANTASTIC extended families and we wish that during this holiday season we lived closer however, our hearts are there!

DECORATING THE TREE - 1ST OF DECEMBER
It is a little different decorating a tree when the weather outside is hot and sunny.

DAVID JONES CHRISTMAS WINDOWS - 13TH OF DECEMBER

This is a new tradition for us that started when we moved to Sydney.  This year we went up the Sydney Tower Eye, Saint Mary's Cathedral and Christmas Windows.

FAUX - GINGERBREAD HOUSE CONSTRUCTION PARTY - 14TH OF DECEMBER

We love to decorate gingerbread houses.  We use wafers (basically bricks) since you cannot buy graham crackers in Australia.  The construction party is always better with friends.

TEMPLE LIGHTS "LIFE OF CHRIST" - 19TH OF DECEMBER

We went to see the Sydney Temple Fairy Lights Display - always a beautiful experience.

CHRISTMAS EVE - 24TH OF DECEMBER

We went out for lunch and to see a movie "Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day."  We loved the movie because it reminded us that everyone can have a bad day...but, you must move forward and have hope for a better tomorrow.

This was dropped off on our doorstep on Christmas Eve - We LOVE secret Santas!

CHRISTMAS DAY - 25TH OF DECEMBER

CANBERRA, AUSTRALIA - 28TH OF DECEMBER
We went to Canberra, Australia for two days to see the world's largest Christmas lights display (fairy lights) approximately 1,200,000.  It was wonderful to go to Canberra because the lights were unbelievable and it gave us a chance to see the nation's capital.  According to everything we have read, it was modeled after Washington, DC.  It was great to see Parliament House, all of the grounds, and embassy row - wow, it reminded us of HOME!

We hope that your Christmas was merry, bright, and full of Christmas cheer.