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Christmas 2012

This Christmas season started with our team celebrating together on December 23rd. 

 Who is our team and what went down on December 23rd? I shall unravel the mystery.

 It starts with the Stoddards: Doug, Suzie, and their kids.  They have been in Ukraine for about 10 years. Two kids, Benjamin and Megan, go to high school at Kiev Christian Academy, the same school Suzie teaches at. Another son, Nick, is older and living in the States. Zach, the second oldest, is here in Ukraine for a few months, but normally lives in the States as well. 

 Then, Daniel and I made the team two summers ago (we're so happy) as well as a fun little gal named Meisha who is from Texas. 

 We invited a few friends to join us in our Christmas festivities, including Helga (a longtime friend and translator), Gerben (some guy Zach brought, apparently they went to high school together....oh and Gerben is from Holland), and Eric and his wife. Eric teaches at Kiev Christian Academy and is married to a sweet Ukrainian gal named Vika.
Me, Eric, Gerben, Zach, Doug, Megan, and Benjamin.

 This year we did Secret Santas. I drew Doug's name, and Daniel drew Megan's. I must say Daniel wasn't the most happy about this, because he had to go out and shop for a high school girl! He did great, though! He found her a cute bag and a warm fuzzy scarf in pretty colors. I felt like I got pretty lucky, because Doug is pretty easy to shop for. I got him a salo keychain (not sure what salo is? Look it up on wikipedia), chocolate, coffee-flavored cereal, a can of olives, and a cool wooden frame with a picture of his crazy team in it. I think Megan and Doug liked their gifts, at least I hope so!
Once I added this little "present topper," everyone knew who it was for!

 Now here's something interesting. Megan drew my name, and Doug drew Daniel's! Our gift giving was limited to just the four of us. Megan got me a new cookie sheet with cookie cutters, fuzzy slippers, and paprika from Holland (rumored to be the best). I thought they were great gifts! 
Oh yeah, the little bottle is to mix oil and vinegar. I like it!

Doug got Daniel a giant teabag gift box with 30 varieties. For those who don't know, Daniel loves tea. Last year the Stoddards got him a giant mug that says I heart Tea! Doug also got Daniel an old Soviet belt. Its way cool. It might be a problem to wear it in America, though. Wouldn't want to be called a Commie or anything like that.
Everyone dreaded picking names because they feared getting Daniel. I think Doug did a great job, though, in spite of the odds.

This year our menu was soups and breads. I made chili (thank you Haverlys for the ranch style beans), and there was also borsch (don't what that is, look it up!) and a clam chowder. Meisha made her amazing cheesy biscuits, and then we had lots of yummy desserts. I made almond brittle and brownies (using the OMS recipe!) and Meisha made Christmasy cakes!
Aren't they cute?

After dinner and presents, we played some games. We played a variety, but my favorite was the kleenex game. All the girls had a box of kleenex on the table in front of them. Meisha said "GO!" and using only one hand, we had to pull the kleenex out, one at a time. After a flurrry of white, Suzie emerged as the winner!  Afterwards, we took team pictures. Note: Santa Claus.



We ended the evening by sitting around and sharing Christmas memories--best and worst! (Hey Mom and Dad, remember when you got me graham crackers and canned tuna? -Worst!) I am so grateful for my team and all that they are--people to eat with, laugh with, cry with, and live life with. Thank you Jesus; they are truly an answer to prayer.
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