Merry Christmas and Happy New Year everybody! We had a wonderful first Christmas in China, all things considered. We definitely missed being with friends and family, but made the best of things...what choice did we have?!
Here we are, spending Christmas Eve morning on a walk, just the four of us. We walked to where there was snow...at a ski hill where they make their own snow. This was at the zoo coincidentally and so we also went to see the birds. 
Eli really likes the birds and can spend a good half hour just watching them in the comfort and (relative) safety of his stroller. I really liked seeing the swans, I have no idea how they keep their feathers so clean and bright white...especially considering how dirty the zoo is.
Here was our decidedly non-traditional Christmas Eve meal, lotus roots, a spicy pork dish and mantou (Chinese buns), all made made by our beloved and much appreciated ayi (that's "auntie" in Chinese, but here it refers to our house-help or maid if you will). She's the one that truly makes it possible for Scott and I to study Chinese simultaneously.
But I at least made the vanocka (that's Czech Christmas bread). I didn't make the loaves beautiful like my mom's though, she braids the bread whereas I just made simple loaves. Too lazy you ask? Yep, and I didn't have any toothpicks to secure the braids on top of one another. Still tasted like my mom's though and that's what counts.
Eli very much enjoyed Christmas too. He received many new cars and trucks from friends and family. One of his favourites was a school bus from Scott. Here is a picture of Eli, engrossed in his new toys on Christmas Day.
Well if I had to choose my top three favourite memories of our Christmas this year, they would be:
1. the carol sing that we had on the 23rd. We invited about 10 people over and sang Christmas carols with Scott on the piano and someone else on the guitar. It sounded beautiful, and it chased away the homesick feelings that are especially strong this time of year. Eli had some of his buddies over and really enjoyed that evening too.
2. watching "The Nativity Story" on Christmas Eve. We plan to make this one of our traditions. The movie is so well done and it helped me see again how amazing this story really is. It helps the story not be so "same ol', same ol'" even though I've heard it so many times.
3. making cookies with a friend the week before Christmas. We spent the whole evening chatting and laughing as we made cookies and decorated them together (and yes, we sampled our fair share too). Hopefully we can do that again next year as well.