Merry Christmas

As darkness descends over Taiwan,  Christmas 2016 draws to a close. Just in time for Christmas to begin in Ohio.

My thoughts are of Christmas' past.  

Coffee percolating.

Cinnamon roll aromas wafting from the oven.

Presents.

Many of my favorite and most remembered memories are wrapped and sprinkled with holiday traditions; traditions such as caroling, Christmas eve cantatas, candle light services.

As parents, Carl and I blended traditions from our childhoods into new traditions for our family. Traditions are the skeleton onto which Christmas is built.

Many of those traditions were altered when we moved to Taiwan. A new structure was needed in which to hang our celebrations and festivities. 

Once again, time has moved on, ever changing and rearranging.

Instead of six, we are three.

But the show must go on.

A Taiwan Christmas tradition, created to fill the gap of missing friends and family, was to get out of town. Every Christmas finds us spending some time in Kenting. Kenting is special because it is the beach town. While being  hot and crowded in the summer, it is not in December.

If we are lucky, the weather gives us at least one nice day at the beach.

This view will never grow old!

This year we were EXTREMELY lucky.

We not only got two days of warmth, but three! Not bad for December. Each day was bright and sunny, if not  bit windy at times. The temperature in the mid 80's, making sitting on the beach with an occasional dip in the water, very enjoyable! 

The "haunting "dog was haunting Carl!

Witch's Hat- once climbable, but now off limits!

Our days were filled with sun, friends, and food!

Ocean Blue- Thai food.

Noodle shop

Arriving home, we jumped right back into Christmas mode: shopping, baking, and wrapping!

Meanwhile back in Ohio, Nick, Ben, and Abbi were being reintroduced to Christmas- American style.

Too grown up! 

Off to Christmas eve services with my sister and her family.

All by himself!

Early Christmas morning, we joined my family's traditional Christmas eve gathering via the internet. While hugs and kisses were not possible, it was the next best thing.

Our Taiwan Christmas traditions continued on as normal, but in a much smaller fashion.

The internet will once again be employed to join Nick, Ben, and Abbi at Carl's dad house Christmas afternoon. This, of course, will require another early morning skype call.

But, that's ok. Its a sacrifice I am willing to take!

A new tradition in the making!

Merry Christmas!