Christmas!

When we decided to have Christmas in Gibraltar, just the three of us, I wasn't sure at first what it would be like or if I'd end up regretting the decision.  But even though it was (much) smaller than what I'm used to, it was actually really to be in our home with Ceci for her first Christmas.

I even got crafty to celebrate the occasion!

Our holiday festivities started on Christmas Eve.  We stopped by the Lion Bar (our neighborhood military bar) on our way up to church.  Then it was off to St. Bernard's for their children's Nativity play and mass.  The play was really sweet and the weather was so nice (about 65 & sunny!) that they held it outside in a child-sized manger.  The kids and their songs were adorable, and the area around the manger was festively decorated with lights.  It was a really great start to the mass.  The service itself was very familiar, complete with standard Christmas carols, though a few were in Spanish which was a bit of change!  But it was really lovely, and Ceci was incredibly well behaved. After mass we went back to the bar for a few drinks before taking Ceci home for bed.  She enjoyed crawling around the floor (a skill she mastered that morning!) and taking in all the people and decorations.

All dressed up for church

Crawling around at the Lion Bar

Hanging with Daddy at the bar

On Christmas morning, Ceci was quick to spot the presents left for her on the floor under the tree and pretty much made a bee line for them! We just let her go for it, and she picked one out and started unwrapping!  It was adorable.  She was a bit distracted by trying to eat each piece of paper she tore off, but she did actually manage to unwrap the gift all by herself!  Watching her face light up at her new toy was priceless.  She played with it for a little while and then we had breakfast.  She had leftover pancakes from the day before and a taste of mommy and daddy's cinnamon rolls.  She happily ate while mommy and daddy opened their presents.  

Discovering her presents

Eating breakfast, watching Daddy open presents.

Loving her new toys

She didn't attempt to open her other two presents until after her nap and she approached each of them separately and in her own time.  It was very cute to watch.  She was also able to open her presents from Nan and Gramps, as well as from Nana and Granddad, while video chatting with them, so that was really special.  

Then of course it was Christmas dinner!  Jay did an amazing job, cooking a ton of food for us so it would feel like Christmas!  He made a chicken, roasted butternut squash, sweet potato casserole, homemade onion gravy, mashed potatoes, roast potatoes, crock pot stuffing, yorkshire pudding and some mixed veg (carrots, green beans and peas).  It was quite a spread!  Ceci loved it all, of course, especially the yorkshire pudding!

Gorgeous table, set for 3.

Ready to eat!

So much food...and so delicious!

Yum!!

Um..where's the rest, mom?

Yorkshire Puddings are a favorite!

Even after nearly cleaning her plate, she tried to eat the table cloth!

On Boxing Day, we had a lovely time relaxing at home and then heading back up to the Lion Bar for a potluck supper put together by a few of our neighbors.  It was great to share some leftovers and have a little company.  Ceci again loved crawling around with a few other kids and of course the eating - she was a big fan of the curry!

All in all, it was a really great Christmas!

As promised, here are some more of festive photos from various impromptu photo shoots in the last couple weeks!

 

Happy Holidays!