Our Family Journey

Thursday, December 27, 2007

Three Kings Day is celebrated on January 6th, twelve days after Christmas. It is often viewed as the last day of the Christmas season (the end of the 12 days of Christmas).

Also known as The Epiphany, Three Kings Day (Día de los Reyes) is a Christian celebration that commemorates the Biblical story of the three kings who followed the star of Bethlehem to bring gifts to the Christ child. According to the Biblical story, the Three Kings – named Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar – presented the Baby Jesus with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

Three Kings Day was the gift-giving time, rather than Christmas day. Just as it is common for children to leave cookies for Santa in the U.S., in some regions, it was customary for children to leave their shoes out on the night of January 5, often filling them with hay for the camels, in hopes that the Three Kings would be generous. The Reyes only come if the child has been good all year and if the children are awake they bypass the house. On this night children sleep lightly listening for any strange noises, whispers, or maybe sounds of the camels' hooves, or any tale-tale signs of the Kings' arrival. Sometime during the night Los Reyes arrive and quietly leave their gifts for the children while their camels enjoy their snack.

Children would awake on January 6 to find their shoes filled with toys and gifts.

Also traditional is for families to gather together and share the Rosca de Reyes. The Rosca de Reyes is a crown-shaped sweet bread decorated with pieces of orange and lime. It is filled with nuts, figs, and cherries. Hot chocolate is traditionally served with the Rosca de Reyes.

Tuesday, December 25, 2007

Christmas 2007

We had a wonderful Christmas holiday. Our friend Terri and her daughter Sydney arrived on Saturday and we a nice weekend, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Christmas Eve started with our customary luncheon with the gals. December 24th is Geni's birthday, so it's a perfect excuse to start our Christmas Eve celebration a bit early. We usually go to Red Lobster, but this year we decided to stick with the seafood theme, but we switched restaurants. It was a very nice lunch. We were able to meet Andrew...Bobbi Dovee's new little guy. He is a bright happy baby!!

Then it was home to get ready for our family Christmas Eve. Everyone came over to my house and we had a very nice evening. The children tracked Santa Clause and his progress across the globe with the help of the internet and the adults watched a little football. The children of course asked about every 5 minutes when they were going to be able to open their presents. They were all so excited. It was another picture perfect Christmas Eve. Here are a few pictures of our weekend and Christmas Eve.

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Saturday, December 15, 2007

Today Is Our First Forever Day!!

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I can't believe today is the day, one year ago, that we came home from Guatemala with Maria forever. We had our embassy appointment on the 12th and landed in Sioux Falls, SD at 9:30pm on the 15th.

In some respects the year has just flown by. It's hard to believe it's already been a year...I remember every second of our first few days together and we have had such a fun year togther. But when I'm not thinking about this exact year, it seems like Maria has been a part of our lives forever...I don't remember what it's like to not have her in our lives.

We are so fortunate that this amazing little girl was chosen for us, she is the perfect child for us!!

Here are a few pics of Maria over the past year. We love you Maria and can't wait to see what the next year brings!

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Tuesday, December 11, 2007

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Maria went to the mall tonight with Daddy and visited Santa!

Friday, December 07, 2007

Holly Jolly Christmas

Bryan Adams - Christmas Time

Saturday, December 01, 2007

We received our first substantial snow today. Maria was very intriqued by it all. She wasn't quite sure how to walk in it. She also didn't like it when the snow got on her shoe!!

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Wednesday, November 28, 2007

You Have Been Elfed!!

Copy the link below into your browser window for a good laugh!! It's too funny not to watch!!
Here's to a wonderful holiday season!

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=9621920678

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

We're Home!!

We arrived home mid morning today. It is always so hard to leave Guatemala without one of the girls. I am already making plans to go back as it does get harder and harder to stay away with each trip. We had a wonderful trip and we took lots and lots of pictures. Here are just a few.

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I wonder what she's dreaming about?

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Getting into the Holiday Spirit!!

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I got out of bed to take this photo. Dave always complains that he doesn't have enough room! Are you kidding me!!