Christmas Eve

Almost as soon as we returned from Bangkok, it was time to start planning for our upcoming Christmas in Dubai. We did some minimal decorating and preparations this year, just enough to make it feel somewhat festive at home (unlike last Christmas when we were living with temporary furniture and few personal belongings).

We were thrilled to have the opportunity to celebrate Christmas Eve with our small group at church. The Whitnell family hosted all of us for a traditional Christmas Eve dinner with turkey, ham, dressing, and all the delicious sides we enjoy back home. We stuffed ourselves with the wonderful food, and then the kids participated in building gingerbread houses with an unending supply of candy. Thank goodness for great friends who host craft activities like these or my kids would never be exposed to them, ha!

Our small group has become extra special to us and we so enjoyed the special time together on Christmas Eve. Afterwards, we all headed to the Trade Center area of Dubai for the special Christmas Eve service with our church, Fellowship of the Emirates. We enjoyed the beautiful service and worship, the perfect way to celebrate Christmas Eve with our family and friends here in Dubai.

I couldn't resist throwing in 2 more photos from our Christmas season. First, Kaitlynn will take any opportunity she gets to wear her precious Christmas/winter outfits like the one below taken at church in December. Love it!

Lastly, I almost couldn't believe my eyes when I was shopping for some discounted hams around Christmas time. I came upon this "Frozen Suckling Pig" in the freezer section at one of my favorite grocery stores. It was truly an entire baby pig, frozen in the standing position and ready to be cooked/smoked (who knows??) for someone's Christmas dinner. I can honestly say I had never seen anything like it before! Oh, and it was around $200 or so, in case you were wondering? Ha!