A Georgia Girl in Germany

We had a pretty low-key Christmas last year--just the four of us. My dad was recovering from recent surgery (looks like they got all the cancer--YEAH!!) so he couldn't make the overseas trip. But the kids enjoyed the traditions nonetheless. I haven't totally decided what we'll do this Christmas since it looks like it'll be just the four of us again, but am leaning toward taking them on a once-in-a-lifetime trip (more on that later, as the details come together).

We went to the Christmas Eve service like we usually do, and, since we were running a little late, ended up sitting in the cry room in the back (running a little late on Christmas Eve equates to NO seats left in the main chapel). In a definite "it's a small world" scenario, as we sat down, the lady next to me turned toward me and asked, "Did you used to be Pam Quarnaccio?" Wow! Not many people know, let alone can pronounce, my maiden name these days. Turns out it was a friend of mine from college--Laura (Bailey) Nerad--whom I hadn't seen in 12 years and had lost contact with! She's married to a Marine and they (and their three kids) were spending a month traveling in Europe, including visiting friends here in Stuttgart, before he deployed. I'm constantly amazed how small the military community really is at times like those!

After returning home, we did the usual Santa-prep activities: write letters to Santa, leave out cookies and milk for the big guy (and carrots for his reindeer) and let each of the kids open one present to whet their appetites for the next morning.

Benjamin wasn't quite sure what was going on, but he easily took his cues from Zachary and MacKenzie and didn't object to finally being allowed to delve into the goodies under the tree, although he didn't understand why he had to stop at only one present before heading to bed.

Labels: Benjamin, Christmas, MacKenzie, Zachary