Across the Pond...: Christmas Break

This year, the Ludwigs were home for the holidays, and did not have a house full of family to keep us entertained over the three and a half week Christmas break. It was a quieter Christmas than last year, and we did miss seeing everyone, but it was a relaxing time for our family of four.

The first week of break was packed with play dates... Christmas cookie baking, time with friends and a show at Norden Farm (topped off with amazing hot chocolate).

On Christmas Eve, we went to our first Christingle Service with friends at St. Peter's church. The kids were pulled into the Nativity service and we all lit our candles in our oranges. (The oranges are supposed to represent the world, the toothpicks with the sweets are the people, the red ribbon is the blood of Christ and the light is the light of Christ.)

After opening gifts on Christmas morning, we went to the service at Jubilee Church, where it was good to celebrate with our church family. After coming home for some more play time, we headed to the Ottos for Christmas dinner where it truly felt like we were spending time with family.

After spending all of Boxing Day in our PJ's, we packed up to spend a couple of nights down in Bournemouth. It was a fun little getaway between Christmas and the New Year. The wind was whipping and the rain poured down, but the sun broke through long enough for us to meander down to Boscombe Pier and the beach. The kids enjoyed the Funsters (kids' club) at the hotel - and the parents enjoyed a couple of quiet dinners together.

We made it back to Holyport to ring in the New Year (GMT+5 hours with the kids) and spent New Year's Day taking down the tree and preparing to celebrate our little girl turning TEN!