It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

... well, as much as it can considering 90% of our holiday decorations are packed up in a warehouse in AL! But we do have a cute little tree which we proudly decorated with patriotic ornaments. Not wasting any time, one of our annual holiday traditions has already taken place-- the day after we put it up, the tree fell down! I tell you, it takes a special person to make a 3 1/2 foot tree fall down! It was my fault, I was trying to give the poor little thing a bit more oomph and importance--and I stacked it on top of some empty boxes which eventually caved. What can I say? Since our very first Christmas, when Ty and I were nearly killed by our huge, live tree falling just inches from our heads as we laid on the floor watching TV--we've known-- it's just not Christmas until the tree falls down! In addition to the tree excitement we've had some Santa excitement recently. I'm sure I do not need to tell you what a rare sight it is to see Santa Clause in the middle of Okinawa! And that is the reason we stood in a very long line for a very long time to see this jolly fellow. After finally getting her turn, Alaina could not bring herself to say goodbye. We had to pry her off his lap before the rest of the people (in the very long line who had waited a very long time) began to get angry! But as I pulled her away, I heard her call out, "Santa, you don't really have to bring us any gifts if you don't want to. We already have a WHOLE LOT under our tree!" Which brings me to the real reason it has started to feel like Christmas... not the presents themselves, (though the kids are, of course, quite excited about them) but hearing from everyone we love back home. The thoughts that have been filling our mailbox each day are giving us a very warm Christmas feeling.