Christmas in the Kingdom!

As I've said before, Christmas 2012 was spent entirely in KSA, and for those of you who know me, you are aware that it is seriously my favorite time of year.  Having a toddler has added a whole new dimension of "specialness" for me and I wanted to savor each moment with Savannah and Brent.

Every day we tuned in to a Houston radio station that plays 24 hours of Christmas music via the internet.  We also introduced Savannah to "Charlie Brown Christmas" and she became a big fan of the music.  I worked for weeks on ordering her presents and making sure that they arrived in time for the big day!

Christmas Eve was spent with some close friends reflecting on the real reason for the season.  Celebrating on this side of the world gives you a whole new perspective on what is really important in life and eternity.  Praise God for His gift that He sent that Christmas day over two thousand years ago!

When we came home that night, Brent had the father's job of putting together some of Savannah's presents.  While he did a great job, we both did a lot of laughing, because putting things together is never as easy as it should be.  I think we will start a few days in advance next year!  :)

Christmas Day was on a Tuesday this year, which is a workday for Brent.  Since Christmas isn't a holiday in Saudi, he still had to go to work, but was able to go in late so we could open presents with Savannah.  We got our sweet girl up, fixed her hair, fed her breakfast, and were ready for the presents to be opened!  I think we were more excited than she was!

Christmas Breakfast

The tree and presents!

At first Savannah immediately darted to her big presents that weren't wrapped.  She knew those were toys and that she wanted to play with them.  When it came time to open the wrapped presents, she wasn't quite sure what to do with the paper, but she got the hang of it really quickly.  Now when she sees any present she wants to open it- whether it's for her or not.

Immediately checking out her first present from Grandmommy.

Our Christmas angel!

We love you Savannah!

Daddy showing Savannah how her toy works.

I love the looks on their faces! Who is having the most fun here?  Thanks for the present Grandmommy!

Standing at the top of her slide!

This is cool Mom!

Opening her book 

Loving on the bear that her Play School teacher got her.  :)

Daddy helping her get settled in her cozy coupe from Grandmommy.

I'm ready to go!

We had such a wonderful morning together!  Savannah and I spent the rest of the morning and afternoon together playing with her toys and skyping and facetimeing with family back in the States!  Thank the Lord for technology because it makes the distance between countries feel so much smaller!

That evening we went over to our friends the Perry's house for gumbo.  All of our friends that were in Saudi for Christmas gathered together and we enjoyed great food and great company.  We are so thankful for our "Saudi Family" that is here for us when we can't be with our family back home.

We were actually able to get all of the kids to sit together on the couch for a picture!

However, a good picture of the kids comes with a price...... here's what was going on behind the camera with all the adults....

Now you can understand why we were able to get that picture!

Heather, Me, Cherie, Lindsey, and Amber-  All the Moms

Matt

Savannah singing twinkle twinkle.

All the adults- our wonderful Saudi family!
Brent and I , Daniel and Amber, Brooks and Lindsey, Dan and Heather, Matt and Cherie

It was a Christmas like we've never experienced, but one that will go down in the books as very special, wonderful, and memorable.  We are so thankful to God for all that he has blessed us with, our friends and family!  Merry Christmas!