Christmas in Uganda

This was our first Christmas where not one gift was exchanged, no pie was eaten, not a flake of snow was even hoped for, and most of our favorite people an ocean away...

but it will go down in history as one of the best ever. 

Christmas Eve S'mores.
Tyler and Elise were the roasters.

This is Eston. He is five years old, but only as big as Lilah due to
malnourishment as a baby.
He has a deep voice like a sixteen year old.
He makes me laugh -hysterically- all day long.
He wants to be a chef when he grows up.

Yum.

M&M Pancakes for Christmas morning breakfast. 

Breakfast in our dining room.
Children on the mat, adults and little people needing help in chairs.

Santa and Elisabeth.
Never saw a darker woman or a lighter baby.
ALL of my children adore Miss Santa.

Julius, our next door neighbor.
He worshipped Jesus with us for hours that day.
We hear him singing every night with his family too.
A special man to us... Tyler has been spending a real lot of time with Julius.

The Buffet Table:
chicken, rabbit, beef, fish, cabbage, rice, noodles... and potato salad!?

Dobrilla, Julius' baby. BEAUTIFUL.
Tyler claims she is the perfect baby that never cries.
Somehow, I made her cry!

The adults - by far- had more fun with the balloons than the children.
Most adults here are unhindered, and childlike.
Not intellectually... they just seem very pure.

Kiddos.

They don't know each other's language. Balloons make that okay.

Sweet.

Lots of fun. Jesus was at the center of the entire day.

Much different than an American Christmas, but not lacking a thing.