Merry CHRISTmas 2008

The generosity of our family was so appreciated and a blessing to all three of us! It is so neat to see the symbolism in how our family gives so freely just as Jesus Christ did so many years ago. He left behind a royal throne and heaven to be born as a human in a stable. Coming to earth to pay our debt by dying on the cross! The first present to grab Dylan's attention was curious George! Grabbing the stuffed animal was preceded by scratching under his arm and making monkey noises;) They needed to introduce themselves before they played hee hee

As we walked out of Dylan's room Christmas morning, he didn't even notice all the presents under the tree until Daddy and Mommy pointed them out. His little face erupted into expressions of wonder and excitement as he signed down down with his whole body. He touched two presents then was back at mommy's legs signing up:) What a goof ball!

After breakfast the fun began...No, Dylan does not generally have a stocking over half his size.

NOT thinking, I decided we didn't need to bring any Christmas decorations - what a sad mistake on my part. What was I trying to do? Make it even tougher being away from extended family??? Of course my honey came to the rescue, we bought a mini tree, a few ornaments and a huge Japanese stocking. We found this bright orange stocking at the mall down the street from base. Inside the stocking were many Japanese "treats" we added cds, toys and books.

We got this drop-jawed look of excitement combined with thrilling shrieks many times over the course of the morning and loved everyone!!!!!!!!

Dylan and his Japanese bullet train.
The train has a variety of sounds we know well: warning that the doors are closing, a train is arriving, a horn blowing and of course many many words in Japanese that we only guess at their meaning;) Dylan really gets a kick out of his train as it shoots across the floor at not lightening speeds. Before we leave Japan, we do plan on riding the bullet train.

More family Christmas fun...

Around 1pm, we headed over to our friends home for Christmas dinner. Do you remember Kim who made her debut on the blog when she and her four boys took Dylan and I out for my b-day dinner? We went over to her home. Rory and I had a splendid time visiting with Kim and her husband Andy. Dylan had the best time of all playing with 4 boys!! He only came over to see Rory and I once or twice the whole time we were there. We were so blessed to spend time with fellow Christians on the Lord's birthday.

So from the pictures below can you see how much fun Dylan had with the boys (age range 13-4yr), who by the way were AWESOME with Dylan!

This was Dylan literally a moment or two after we left the Gibbon's home!

Doesn't look to comfy to me!



We pray that everyone had as wonderful a Christmas as we did here in Japan!!

I wonder what adventures and blessings the Lord has in store for us in 2009?

The rest of our Australia pictures are coming, we just needed to share Christmas with those we love!