Christmas Day

We had a wonderful, relaxed Christmas day. Ellie slept until 8:30! She opened her stocking and played while Isaac made us bacon and eggs. Then we walked to the park to try out Ellie's new sled. She loved being pulled on the flat ground, and with encouragement enjoyed sledding downhill. The best part for her was when we played at the snow-covered playground. We played restaurant outside for what seemed like hours! We spent the afternoon playing with Ellie's new toys and playing CandyLand.

In late afternoon, we drove (carefully) to Isaac's aunt and uncle's home in Crystal. There we celebrated Christmas with George and Mary, Nana and Papa, and Isaac's great-aunt Doreen and her friend Joanne. We ate a traditional Swedish dinner with potatas korv, spare ribs, herring, lefse, and ustkake with lingonberries. Ellie loved everything.

Ellie gave a concert and sang all her Christmas songs clearly and confidently. The most special part for me was singing Christmas carols together after dinner. Then we prayed together. It was particularly special to hear Papa pray, his 90-year-old confusion being erased as he talked confidently with his Lord. It was a fantastic way to celebrate Christmas.

I forgot to mention that Ellie received what she most wanted for Christmas: a whole box of Tic Tacs and a pack of gum. They are all gone.