Veselé Vánoce!

Our Christmas season was void of extended family, but rich with the Spirit of Christmas where we tried to share as much of it as we could with others. We caroled, baked, ate, watched some lame Christmas shows, watched some GREAT Christmas shows, baked some more, shared some of our baking, ate, put up Christmas lights, and then had someone come up and properly put up our Christmas lights. We put up a Christmas tree, watch it break after finishing decorating it, undecorated it, bought a new one, and finally decorated the new one. We partied, we read Christmas stories, and, most importantly, we were reminded once again how marvelous it is to have Jesus Christ in our lives. 

We ate our traditional Mexican feast Christmas Eve, watched Joy to the World, talked about the Nativity, sang a slew of Christmas songs, and then B and I were both awake until 3am waiting for Santa to come. Alas, we didn't see him again this year, but the kids woke up bright and early to tell us all about what he brought. We let the kids open their stockings before trudging out to church for a whole HOUR. Merry Christmas to us! It's a nice break after having church for 3 hours every Sunday, but then we had to wait for about an hour until someone moved their car so we could get out of the cramped parking lot where you have to come early to get a spot, but the last person has to be the first to leave. It's kind of like Elijah's promise where the first will be last and the last shall be first... anyway. Then we took turns opening one present at a time and tried to draw out Christmas as long as possible. We baked some more and then joined some friends for a marvelous Christmas feast. We were able to chat with family via Skype, throw the kids into bed,  and then enjoy the evening cleaning up the junk that exploded all over our house. I think we already lost a puzzle piece... LOVED IT!

 This is actually our second tree of the season. Sadly, we had to say goodbye to our tree of ten years. I still remember it well. After getting home from Mexico with my family for Christmas the first year we were married, we went to an "After Christmas Sale" at Michaels and bought a straggly 5 foot tree for $20. It was perfect for us, so we kept taping it together year after year until this year ...when it finally gave up on us after decorating it of course. So I went to Makro (like an Czech Costco) and bought this beautiful tree and decorated a tree yet again.

 These are some decorations that I bought years and years ago at the dollar store that remind us to stay humble. 

 We have decked the halls and have the best lit house on the block. (What's that about being humble?)

 Santa flew to the Czech Republic! Haley wrote a 5 page letter to Santa and insisted that we give him milk AND Dr. Pepper. We also gave him some of our Christmas creme cookies and some carrots for the reindeer. Sweet, thoughtful children. 

 I don't think we were nice enough to deserve this many presents. Look at that loot! 

Merry Christmas. 

 Sweet Haley. 

 Maleia my love. 

 The Dillster. 

Little Logie. 

4 whopping kids decked out for some Christmas. 

 Obligatory Christmas tie. 

We hope the Christmas season reminded you about the joy we should have all year round. Christmas is a reminder that Christ came to this Earth not to rule or reign, but to love and give. It's not about taking and competing with others, but to share and lift each other up. We are here on this Earth to remind each other to "fear not" and to help bring "glad tidings of great joy" into each other's life. You have all done that for us and we feel blessed to have you as friends and family. 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Love, The Czech Chapmans