So I prepped myself mentally for round two this past holiday season... no Thanksgiving, a hot Christmas, and no snow. It was still strange, even knowing better what to expect this year, but that doesn't mean that we didn't have a really enjoyable season. While last year we were just trying to feel settled in a new city and a new home, this year was totally different and we found some traditions that we definitely want to keep around for next year (bouncing with giant elves included).
While it was still hot and there was no snow this year, we actually celebrated Thanksgiving. Every good American knows that the holiday season really starts by eating until you have to can't keep your top button buttoned. But the rest of the world seems to not have adopted that novelty. After spending a couple years in Switzerland we have somewhat adjusted to missing Thanksgiving. And when the weather is warm and there aren't any leaves changing colors and falling from trees, in a way I barely notice not celebrating it. But this past year we were in for quite a treat when my women's bible study decided that we should put together an American Thanksgiving dinner. It was a very thoughtful gesture for the three Americans in the group, but also a fun way for us all to gather and talk about what we are thankful for, just like we would back home.
And there was certainly no shortage of friendly banter either. It was a team effort to create the menu with Americans sharing favorite recipes and finding creative ways to make sure we had as many of the appropriate ingredients as possible (especially those that are hard to find in Aussie grocery stores). There seemed to be an overwhelming consensus that most all the recipes started with good intentions that later went wrong by adding an abnormal amount of butter, cheese, salt, sugar or some other processed ingredient added. Yep, sounds about right. Thanks America for helping to clog the arteries of a few Australians in one night.
The kids table at Thanksgiving
The adult "long table" at Thanksgiving
Now that's an American Thanksgiving!
With that amount of food, it certainly felt like a typical end of November. And in typical fashion December kicked off with some shopping and visiting several malls and department stores in the area and in the CBD that were full of fun kids activities and decorations. We spent one Saturday as a family out shopping and another weekday with a few of our friends checking out the best spots.
Cute reindeer #1
Cute reindeer #2
Top of the Swarovski Tree at the Queen Victoria Building
Celebrating Christmas is better with friends
Writing letters to Santa (the other girls actually got one back from Santa too!)
Riding the train to the North Pole
Watching themselves dance to Christmas music
Christmas tree and Santa's lego sleigh at Martin Place
And no Christmas season would be complete without baking a few cookies and decorating them with friends was even better. And a day of celebrating Jesus' birthday at our playgroup was pretty great as well.
Making Christmas cookies with friends
Celebrating Jesus' birthday!
Without a doubt one of our favorite new activities was the Santa Fun Run to benefit Variety Children's Charity. It was a family friendly 5k course that we ran/walked with several friends. It was so much fun to watch all the kids get so excited to run it together. And you might have guessed it from the photos, but yes all participants got Santa suits to wear!
This is Christmas in Sydney
The whole gang pre-Santa Fun Run
Steve in full costume
We weren't the only Santas...
Here we go!
And they're off!
They ran most of the way!
Pretty scenic course...
Just a few beautiful landmarks along the way.
From Opera House to Harbour Bridge
Aren't they cute?
Party in the "snow" globe!
Bouncing with elves!
More fun was had with friends when Emma and Morgan also got to participate in their first "secret santa" gift exchange. We selected names for the kids and it was fun to hear stories of how they picked out gifts for their friends and the excitement for them all to meet up and exchange on a beautiful Friday afternoon. I'm not going to lie a beautiful Friday outside at a playground in the middle of December is pretty nice...
The "cupcake Friday" gang
A "flying fairy!"
A gorgeous Friday in December
But without a doubt, my favorite new tradition of the season was "Carols Under the Bridge." Beautiful Bradfield Park sits just under the north end of the Harbour Bridge and is a few kilometers from where we live. It played host to a gorgeous evening of caroling put on by the nearby Church by the Bridge.
Carols Under the Bridge
I completely underestimated just how large of an event this would be when we saw the advertisement and decided to go with some friends for the evening. It was absolutely spectacular. The performers and vocalists were superb, there were many great kid activities, and our favorite part was the live nativity and story of Jesus' birth. It was so much fun to watch Emma's eyes light up and to follow along and see the story played out in front of her. And then add simply perfect weather and that stunning view and backdrop of the Opera House and it couldn't have made for a better evening.
Mom's hat wearing, butterfly face painting, jewelry wearing, candle holding Emma
So much fun!
Mary and Joseph on their walk to Bethlehem
The living nativity was really well done
And of course no season would be complete without a few fun gifts. There were plenty of cookies and carrots left for Santa before we left for Thailand. Emma was thankful that Santa was able to somehow find her and bring her stocking to the hotel, but left her one "big gift" at her house back in Sydney.
Christmas eve family jammy photo!
Sisterly love
Emma and her new art easel
Well someone had to help Morgan open her gifts!
She was pretty excited about her superbunny costume!
Tickets to her first show at the Opera House wasn't a bad gift either.
But no matter what, two of my favorite memories are these... a Christmas Eve service like no other in Bangkok and a memorable trip to visit Santa. It was truly a wonderful holiday season. Even if it was hot.
Emma somehow managed to join the Christmas Eve Children's Nativity at a church we had never been to before.
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