Christmas 2008

We had a wonderful Christmas here in Mexico. It took a while to get into the Christmas spirit because we're used to cold and snow, but once Logan and I began making our Christmas ornaments and gifts, it soon felt like Christmas, even in the heat!! The best thing about this Christmas was its simplicity. I didn't miss hopping from mall to mall in search of the perfect gift for everyone. Logan and I decided a "home-made" Christmas is much more fun!!!

Here in Mexico, the big celebrations happen on "Noche Buena"-Christmas Eve. We were privileged to be asked to attend the family gathering of Logan's coach. The dinner was to be at 10 pm. By 11:30 we were feasting on delicious BBQ beef and beans. At midnight, we all stopped the celebration and hugged everyone with a Merry Christmas (Feliz Navidad) greeting. Later the brave few serenaded us with their karaoke renditions of what seemed to be classic Mexican songs. We felt very honoured to be asked to be a part of the family celebration. Logan enjoyed the evening by putting off lots and LOTS of fireworks with his friends. Laughter and fireworks could be heard all over our little town. We finally said our good-byes at 1:30 am.
Christmas Day didn't come too early for us "night owls". In fact, I finally awoke Logan at 9:30. He enjoyed opening his three gifts, and declared them "perfect"!
We walked the town giving out our hand-made ornaments and photos frames with pictures of sweet memories in them. It was fun to see our new friends' faces light up when they were presented with their gifts. THIS is Christmas!!!
We loaded our sweet potato casserole, beans and pound cake with strawberries into the car, and off we went to Tammy and Malcolm's house for Christmas dinner. What a feast we enjoyed!!!! (I remember that 20 years ago, we couldn't find a turkey for our feasts.)
Finally, the best part of the day arrived. Oni had decided that he wanted to be baptized on his birthday, Dec. 25!!! So, off we went to the land (Miramar) in search of one of the pools. First, however, Bern, Logan and I stopped by Feliciano to visit our three families. We presented the children with photos frames with their pictures in them. What a treat that was!!! They were so very pleased with their little faces smiling back at them. It was precious!! We arrived at the land to find many people surrounding Oni. We circled him with our love and witnessed him taking on the salvation from His new Lord and Master. What a great moment it was!!! We celebrated with the angels until dusk turned into dark. The boys popped each other with firecrackers and bangers. It was especially exciting when one of the firecrackers landed in the BOX of fireworks. Several of us gals were scurrying away from the explosion fearing that the quad was sure to blow!! It was QUITE the show. Logan said it was the best Christmas EVER!!!
We missed our twins and other family, but we have only five more days until Ashley comes for a visit.
We hope that you, too, enjoyed your Christmas holdiays in your corner of the world. Best wishes as we head into the first days of 2009. We hope you enjoy the slide show we have added to this post.
Until next year,
Bernard, Alicia an Logan Krogsgaard