Christmas in Qatar

We had a wonderfully relaxing and quiet Christmas this year.  It was nice, but definitely prefer the hustle and bustle that comes with famly gatherings!  Ken used a day of vacation so that he could be home on Christmas, but has otherwise worked all last week and all this week.  The office doesn't close for Christmas or New Years, so it's very much business as usual for Ken, except that many of his colleagues used vacation, so he has to cover several other positions in addition to his own work load.  Poor guy!  But he never complains.

The boys got all dressed up for Christmas Eve service at church.  Part of the service included singing Silent Night in your native language.  It was neat to hear all the languages represented at our church.


Christmas Eve

 

Santa has landed!  Our children are ENTIRELY too spoiled!!! 
Too many presents!!

The boys had a great time opening presents and playing with their new toys on Christmas.  After things settled down, they put on their new body armor and we headed to the squash courts in the clubhouse.  Ken and I played squash while the boys battled it out in the other court.  Not a bad way to burn off the calories from all those Christmas treats!  :-)

 

 

Christmas breakfast ... snow man pancakes
with bacon scarf and marshmellow/candy cane hat.  Yum!!

Ready for nerf gun battle in full body power ranger armor!

But the best part of my Christmas came shortly after the boys came tearing downstairs, all excited to open their presents.  The first thing Jaden did was search under the tree until he found his present for me.  He couldn't wait to give me his gift!  He wanted me to open my presents first!  I was so touched!  We are so very blessed to have such loving and caring children!!  Ken had taken the boys shopping ... Jaden bought be a necklace and Nicholas bought me a bracelet.  They picked it out all by themselves and used their own money. 

The other exciting Christmas gift is that Jaden is FINALLY OUT OF DIAPERS (he was still in pullups at night)!!!  He turns 6 next week, so it's about time!!  Poor kid!!!  If he could have willed it to happen years ago, he would have.  Nicholas was able to stay clean and dry every night from a freakishly young age of just 21 months.  Jaden used to cry and cry because he still had to wear diapers when Nicholas didn't have to.  He would get so upset and sad because he just couldn't do it.  We tried all kinds of little tricks, but nothing ever helped.  His little body just wasn't ready ... until now!  :-)  He is now in underwear at night and we had a little party for him today to celebrate.  Yeah Jaden!