Merry Christmas!

We had a wonderful Christmas in the Avery/Raab home. It was the first time that Sebastian was really able to understand the idea of Santa Claus and to ask for and anticipate specific presents. And of course, it was our first holiday with little Liesl-girl, who was smiley and happy throughout the day. We put out a plate of cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve.

Christmas day began with the Advent calendar, which has been filled with various treats all month long. Sebastian has gotten small treats - chocolate, cookies - as well as larger ones - a book, a new game. This morning the 25th contained two small cars, Luigi and Guido (two characters from Pixar's Cars movie).

We then peeked into our stockings to see what Santa had brought. In addition to oranges and a pear, Sebastian got a magnifying glass and a Mater (tow truck; see Cars movie).


I made fig bread on Friday -our annual tradition - and we all enjoyed slices of it with our eggs and tea and oranges.

And then there were lots and lots more presents. Sebastian got a new jacket from cousins Danica and Roxana, Sally and The King from Popo and Grandpa, a dominoes game and books and a big red Mack truck from mommy and daddy. Steve got a Kindle and a manbag; I got cozy new slippers and a beautiful necklace.




Liesl got a red and white Christmas dress from Popo, and a new book from cousins Sam and Eve which Sebastian promptly read to her.



And then it was off to Greenlawn to celebrate with the Raabs. Sebastian got new trucks from uncle Joe (a Hummer) and uncle George (a police truck), as well as a Trunki (ride-on suitcase) from uncle Tom and aunt Angie. He also got new games from Grandma, trains from aunt Adele, and a dinosaur from aunt Trish and uncle Jeff. He and Rio played really nicely together. Liesl slept and ate, and then woke up and smiled very sweetly for everyone.

Great Grandma Raab and her three great grandchildren.