Christmas 2016!

What an incredible thing...to spend Christmas with family after being gone the past couple of years!

I don't think the kids could have been more excited to spend the holidays with their cousins in Indiana, and of course, as with any good thing, the time went by far too quickly.

What a fun memory, making and decorating Christmas cookies.

We were also able to get in a visit with some friends from Turkey that were visiting family in the US as well.

Ice Skating in Valparaiso...traditional Christmas activity. It was definitely on our Christmas Bucket List.

Opening some presents on Christmas Eve Eve...yes, we knew that the night of the 24th would be full, so we moved everything back a day and opened Christmas pajamas on the night of the 23rd.

The kids, opening their pajamas.

Sissi got some with a puppy dog on them. She loved them.

Gwangi got some classic comic book cover pajamas.

Krypto...what else but Captain America.

And, Daddy, too.

Sissi spent most of the day writing a story for her cousin Penny. It was such a sweet tale of a princess and her family. Her aunt read it for the girls' bedtime story.

Family attending Christmas Eve service at Valparaiso University.

It was incredibly moving, to have that many people together, singing hymns, taking communion, hearing the gospel message...my eyes watered a bit, to be sure.

Then, we let the kids open half of their gifts while extended family was gathered together. One of her cousins gave her earrings and made her an earring holder for her bedroom.

Gwangi, so happy to get "Race to Adventure," a board game, from Mommy and Daddy.

Krypto's top request for Christmas was this old Marvel game that I was able to find on Ebay.

Another Ebay find...an old, out of print Da Vinci book that Sissi really wanted.

More fun gifts, "Mario and Luigi - Partners in Time" and "Bowser's Inside Story."

A comic that Krypto wanted!

Slippers from Kyrgyzstan for the cousins.

Sissi wanted a bed for her doll, so we got her one.

More Star Wars Fighter Pods for Gwangi.

Slippers and Tinker Crate for one of the cousins.

A camping and food kit for Sissi's doll, so she doesn't go hungry.

A super cool shirt for Gwangi from the cousins.

Fun craft stuff from Grandma.

A hat she really wanted from the cousins.

Oh, Lego stuff from Grandma Stamp.

More games...Marvel Munchkin!

Sweet photo of Calvin laying his head on Ruth's knee.

Playing Wii games together.

Playing the Marvel board game together.

Cousins saying "Farewell, see you later on!" as they head off on their ski vacation.

"See you soon!"

"Hugs and love to you!"

"Have a great trip!"

Day after Christmas visit to Cabela's for some fun with animals and shopping for Mommy :)!

The center of the store.

Cabela's is located in Hammond, Indiana, the home of "The Christmas Story."

We have another couple of days of catching up on computer stuff, repacking, and getting our cars ready for road tripping before we head to Little Rock, Arkansas for New Years with my family.

Secret Sisters and Brothers and visiting Taylor University

On the 15th of December, we flew from Bishkek, thru Istanbul and then on to Chicago.

While we were in Istanbul for our layover, we had to stop in and get some Turkish Delight for friends and family. It's always a favorite.

Yahoo for boxes of Turkish Delight.

And, we found Nathan's Hot Dogs, but we had of course already eaten at Sbarro's pizza and Popeye's chicken.

When we landed in Chicago, we were greeted by family and taken to Valparaiso, Indiana to spend the Christmas holidays with them. Upon arrival, we got our Secret Sister and Secret Brother packages from our Tapestry of Grace homeschooling group.

Sissi loved her ornament from her Secret Sister in California.

These were the ornaments I received from my Secret Sister.

She is also an amazing seamstress and made me this apron and towel.

Gwangi with his ornament from his Secret Brother in Michigan.

Krypto with his gifts from his Secret Brother in Georgia.

Then, the day after we got off the plane, we were at the post office mailing our gifts to the Secret Sisters and Brothers that we were sending to. It has never happened to us before, but Gwangi received from and sent to the same brother. What are the chances of them getting each other in a totally random draw! Cool!

We had some fun with the cousins, going to see the new Star Wars movie, "Rogue One." Unfortunately, 3 of the 5 of us fell asleep during the movie...guess we'll have to be up for a review.

Sunday service...Advent, hymns, liturgy, it was wonderful.

On Tuesday, we took a trip over to do our first college visit for Krypto.

We went to Taylor University, a school that we had heard about at a homeschool/education conference and from some previous students of Indy's in Tanzania.

They greeted us well! Name on the board and personalized campus tour and all.

They even have a Chick-fil-A on campus, so lunch was pretty awesome! First Chick-fil-A since being back in the US.

A view of part of the campus. It really is lovely.

Krypto outside of the campus entrance.

We even got a free t-shirt just for coming to visit.

Then, following the visit, we were so close to Ft. Wayne that we drove up the road and visited some of our homeschooling/Tapestry of Grace friends.

With my friend Diane.

The guys in the kitchen.

Sissi with her Secret Sister from last year.

Krypto with his friend from our online coop a few years ago.

Sissi and her sweet friend again.

Krypto and his friend.

Me and my friend, Pam.

With Wendy, Sarah, and Ashley.

With Ruth.

All the boys.

The ladies....it was a wonderful visit and time to share and catch up on all that we're doing. So thankful that several of these ladies spent hours on the road to come and visit with us. Hugs to you all for your love and prayers and sacrifice over the years.