Christmas in Atlanta

Al...it was so good to see pictures of you guys with Bjorn's family at Christmas. I actually forgot that this was your first Christmas in Sweden, since we were all in Dothan last year. I remember my first Christmas away from home, and even though it was bittersweet at first, I'm so thankful for such a sweet second family.

So this was the second time to spend Christmas with Sam's family in Atlanta. We missed Jon and Melissa, and Parker, but I don't blame Melissa for not wanting to travel when she's about to have number 2 any day now.

We spent a long weekend soaking in family, and friends, and everything Christmas. We ate a lot of food, played games, told stories, and enjoyed being together. Here's some highlights from the weekend.

Saturday, I had to go and get some Starbucks, and on my drive I passed by a church and did a little double-take...."Did I just see a camel?" Oh...yes...I did. There was a church having a live Nativity play, and I was hooked...I really wanted to go back and see them and go to their candle light service. I asked Sam and after he looked at me like I was a 4 year old asking to go to a petting zoo, he humored me and we went. 

Obediah the Camel

 

There were probably 1000 people at this candlelight service, but it was a lot like being at Calvary in Dothan on Christmas Eve. We were reminded of the miracle of Christ's birth and the real reason for Christmas....and we sang all of my favorite Christmas hymns with our candles lit. I decided that a candle light service will be our tradition Christmas eve, wherever we are, live camels or not. 

Eileen was a champ the whole weekend, even though she had had all 4 wisdom teeth removed a couple days before Christmas. She definitely took it a lot better than me...that's for sure:)

my favorite of Sam's presents

Christmas Night, the Brown's like to do their annual Lobster dinner. It always gets interesting when you throw in Lobsters. Unfortunately for me, I don't like Lobster, so they decided to make some Coconut Shrimp for me. 

I was in charge of getting the shrimp ready.....I think I did a pretty good job for my first attempt.

We had a great dinner, minus me having to leave the table early...the Lobster smell finally proved to be too much. I was little embarrassed, but it is what it is. I have a weak stomach around certain things.

And finally.....it wouldn't fully feel like Christmas until you see a house with 14,236 inflatable Christmas toys in one yard. Haha. Sam told me about this house, and he had to show me our way out of town. No surprise it was causing somewhat of a traffic jam down the street with people stopping to get pictures.

There were even things coming out of the windows. Whoever thought of this was a genius...whatever they were trying to accomplish, most likely just having the most inflatables in a confined space, I think they took home the gold. I'm sure their neighbors loved it too.

Well that's about the gist of it. Speaking of gifts Al, even though I'm super jealous you got tickets to see Coldplay this year, Sam and I might be getting a new little nephew tonight....we're super excited:)

Happy New Year!!!!

Whit