Christmas Day 2011

At last, the advent journey brought us to

Christmas Day and the lighting

of the Christ candle

We had a wonderful day at home yesterday with our children and a few friends. Although we miss the fun of a snowy white Canadian Christmas, it was great to be able to visit with our families through the magic of Skype -- it was the best connection we'e ever had!! We didn't get to chat with everyone, but we were thinking of you all -- Merry Christmas!!!!!!

The girls up early to see what Santa left

under the Christmas tree

Mommy gave us all new pyjamas

Ava in her new dress

Christmas Quilt

Tristan snuggling with his Christmas stash of gifts

The cool early morning soon melted away as the sun shone brightly and we enjoyed a beautiful Kenyan summer day... December begins our summer here south of the equator

Daddy and our little elves

Mommy and Ava

Emma ready for our Christmas Day party

Gobble gobble!

Ava, Kerry and Joanne at the Christmas feast!

Ava loved her little kitchen she made PlayDoh cookies

and "ironed" her clothes all day -- she is a busy little bee

Wacky Stacky with our friends Amy, Hans, Mel and Kerry

It is like jenga... with a blindfold

Oops!!!

Erica and Mel

MERRY

CHRISTMAS!!

Christmas Eve 2011

Christmas Chameleon

It is Christmas Eve here in Nairobi, and the kids are already tucked in. Our three dogs are keeping watch for Santa as we head to bed as well. It was a great day of preparing for Christmas. We even braved the crowds at Village Market for lunch, on the way home we were met by this chameleon as he tip toed across our gate. Emma, our lizard hunter, scooped him up and made sure that his passage across our yard didn't meet any trouble from Henry, Reese or Hermione.

Emma with her new friend

Emma lighting the Advent candles for our

family Christmas Eve Service

After our Christmas Eve service, we followed our tradition of cuddling together in the living room and watching It's a Wonderful Life with Chinese take-out. Ava was beside herself with excitement for Christmas morning. The one present we all open on Christmas Eve is always new pyjamas, which is fun, but Ava has her sights on the packages under the tree.

For all our family and friends in Canada and around the world, we hope that you are enjoying a blessed Christmas Eve. May the Lord fill your Christmas with joy and laughter!

M e r r y C h r i s t m a s !!!

Smile Dresses

Erica and Tristan distributing

Smile Dresses to children

This week we had the joy of sharing some Christmas cheer with children living in Haruma slum, near our home. We brought three baskets of sun dresses and bags of candy to the kids. They were thrilled as the entire community gathered at the local school.

Haruma Slum, Nairobi

Tristan walking to New Dawn School

with a group of neighbourhood kids

The "Smile Dresses" were a gift from women living in Prince Edward Island, Canada. Joyce Rhead, from First Baptist Church, Charlottetown, organized the sewing of hundreds of dresses that the church is distributing to children in Kenya and Latin America.

Everyone was so excited to receive a new Christmas sun dress

Little ones lining up for their smile dress

Erica helping the little girls find the perfect fitting dress

Afterwards the kids lined up for some sweet treats

Styling!!

M E R R Y C H R I S T M A S !

Fourth Week of Advent

Today begins the fourth week of Advent

We shared in a family Advent candle lighting time this morning before going to worship at the International Christian Fellowship where we joined some friends from Eastleigh. Aaron preached again this Sunday on the Christmas story, and we had a great afternoon visiting with our guests. This had been their first time to our church and they really loved the worship music and the friendly people.

The Christmas Poinsettia growing outside our bedroom

Good-bye supper with our friend Melissa

Many of our friends are travelling home for Christmas this year (we are so jealous!). On Saturday, we enjoyed some time with our friend Melissa Dunning, before her departure.

All evening, Ava made her way around

the house in her pink roller skates

-- She is our little Tootie!

Hermione & Reese wanting to follow us to church this morning,

Henry was content to nap!

Christmas Vacation

COUNT DOWN TO CHRISTMAS!!!

Third Week of Advent

This week, we begin our final two weeks of vacation time enjoying some fun with Ava who is already on her December School break (Tristan and Emma have only one week left to go!). On Sunday, we worshiped at the International Christian Fellowship and had fun helping Mommy with Christmas cookie decorating -- our kitchen has become Santa's workshop!

Daddy, Mommy and Ava enjoying a date day at

Amani Ya Juu's tea garden and sewing project

There were lots of little wonders to see...

...But our Ava was best of all!

Three Wise Men and a Baby

Three Wise Men and a Baby

Yesterday, Rosslyn Academy Elementary School presented its 2011 Christmas production. It was a fantastic pageant from the perspective of the stars of the night sky. This year Emma was literally the "star" as she had the role of the Star of Bethlehem.

Each year the entire elementary school participates in the Christmas production through either drama, instrumentals or the choir. This was the largest production yet with a such a large enrolment in the elementary. The theatre was packed out with rows of parents and guests standing at the back of the house.

The stars looking down upon the story of the nativity

Angels meeting the terrified shepherds

The sinister King Herod looks on as the Wise Men

who have followed the Bethlehem Star, come seeking

the true King of Kings

All of the children did a wonderful job singing some

funky versions of familiar Christmas carols and worship songs

In the end the lesson of the play was clear,

God sent his Son into the World because of God's love for us.

The greatest gift he wants from his children, is our love!

So proud of our little star!

Gemma (Cirro) and the Bethlehem Star (Emma)

after a great performance

Mary (Emma's bossom buddy, Diana) and Emma

We were thrilled to have several friends from Eastleigh

join us for the Christmas Concert and stay over with us.

The cast and soloists

Erica and Kim

Once again, Erica and her friend Kim Remich teamed up! Along with Erica as the drama director and Kim as the program director, this year teacher Mark Statler joined the team as the 5th grade Music Director. They were very thankful for the army of parent and student volunteers who helped make this such a great program.

The stars!

Gemma (Cirro Thuo), Bethlehem Star (Emma),

Zaniah (Mattie Kohl), and Mira (Laura Mixon)