In her eyes...

We celebrated Cassia's first Christmas this year, and gained fresh excitement!

Not only did we start some new traditions, but we kept up some from our respective families...

We enacted the 'country of origin' rule (which I made up a few years ago). It states that a present may be opened when it is Christmas in the country the present originated in... or the gift giver lives... or any other stretch which I decide... which means that on Christmas Eve in the US it is already Christmas in Australia, so there is an early present!

We set up our webcam, and had Mum and Dad (Gran and Poppa) set theirs up, and they got to see Cassia open her very first Christmas present - a Fisher Price Zebra.

We also gave Cassia a new pair of PJ's to wear to bed on Christmas Eve, which I think might be a tradition to continue.

In the morning we started the day by reading from the Bible - remembering what we were celebrating.

We then shared the excitement of giving and receiving gifts... I received the most awesome gift - a digital SLR camera, from Jason, my parents, and his parents! No more time delay in which I miss the money shot!

After that we went to Jason's parents house, shared in worship, reading from Luke, and communion... and then more presents! We are spoiled!

Cassia got a great piano from them, and she is now all set up next to Daddy's keyboard so she can jam with him. She already has awesome rhythm... although I don't really think I want a drummer in the house!

We went to see a movie in the afternoon (a Wright family tradition), Bedtime Stories with Adam Sandler - happy to say it was really funny, and good and clean!

We hope your Christmas was as special as ours, and that you enjoyed the photos... now I have my new camera there is no stopping me!!!

Cassia's Christmas Photo

Here is a long awaited photo of Cassia at our Ministry Team Dinner last week.

Christmas preparations

It is the busy season in our lives, and although I am no longer working (in a "real" job) I have found myself busier this year than ever before!

This past week I helped organize our church women's christmas dinner. This was a dinner for 120+ people which we held at a local golf course. We seem to have a way at our church of making these events super detailed, and super special, which is awesome - but so time consuming!

The theme was the sweetness of the Lord, and we had candy (lollies!) everywhere.

The next big event was our ministry team dinner which was held at our church, but of course had all those lovely details we love! It was a holly, ivy, traditional christmas theme. Catered by Maggiano's. One of the great things about this dinner is the professional photographer who comes out and takes photos of our church families. Hopefully I will have some of those to post soon.

And then yesterday we had the annual Estrada family Christmas party! Here is Cassia preparing a meal for us to eat - we are teaching her young.

Then today I got together with some friends to bake cookies! It really is the busy season - but things like these, family gatherings, cookie baking and quality time are the things I know we will remember in the future, and the traditions Cassia will love!

I hope all your Christmas preparations are as fun as ours!

This just never gets old...

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