New Year's Day Hike to Brayhead

On New Year's Day, Noah, Caleb and Jeff went with a group from church to hike to the top of Brayhead - the hill overlooking the town of Bray just south of Dublin.  It was a cold, misty day - but beautiful in a way - and the hike helped warm us all up.  Here are some of the views...

Green Christmas

We enjoyed our first Christmas in Ireland very much, though we miss family and friends.  On Christmas Eve we opened our Christmas pajamas and posed for the family photo. (Mchanga couldn't see what all the excitement was about.)

We staged our annual nativity pageant, but with just the six of us we had to double up on some roles.  Stacey was Mary (below, showing the baby Jesus to the angel Gabriel who decided to return and see the baby).  Jeff was Joseph and the narrator.  Noah and Caleb were shepherds with Elijah the sheep, and then the boys all changed into wise men.

Christmas morning came early.  We spent  the day opening presents, eating, and playing together.  It was very enjoyable just to be together.

We hope all of you had wonderful holidays and wish you health, wealth, and happiness in 2009!