Christmas Eve

It isn't hard to see why it feels so right to be here in Brazil tonight, but it isn't hard to feel so far away from our home(s) and families either. We spent the second Christmas Eve in a row with our dearest friends Morgan and Phill, Phin and Simon tonight, whom we only just celebrated our one year of knowing with. And while we haven't found a church to attend yet here in Brasilia and will most likely watch the Jupiter First Church service on the intranet tomorrow, it isn't hard to feel the essence of Christmas or be reminded of the goodness of new beginnings or to cherish all the gifts we have in our lives. A sharp pinch is in order to believe it is all true.

In a discussion of family traditions tonight I realized that it isn't about what you do, more importantly who you spend Christmas with and as long as we are in the company of family and friends we'll never be without traditions no matter how frequently our home and horizons change.

"Dear Santa..."

"Fork over the loot!"

Sam adds a custom Santa portrait and signs off...(Petey, camera left) breaks down from exhaustion beneath the tree)

Then the "elves" set to work...

After what seemed like was hours we finally wrapped and assembled all our gifts and are just now hitting the sheets...so not so Christmas eve anymore as it is 12:38am...MERRY CHRISTMAS!