We enjoyed a very special Christmas together in Zakopane, Poland with both our family and friends. Poland itself was beautifully decorated for the holiday season with lights all around. We were especially excited to snuggle up next to our fireplace in our apartment during the cold evenings.
For the first time since living in the US, we actually had a real Christmas tree this year! We bought a tiny little tree in the Christmas market along with various wooden ornaments that the girls colored with markers. Inside the apartment, the girls chose to put the tree in their bedroom in front of their balcony that was also lit up with Christmas lights. Their room also had a fireplace to set a perfect scene for Christmas morning.
On Christmas Eve, we got together with a family from our school in Qatar. We were told that restaurants would be open for dinner, but when we walked around the town, we realized that only hotel restaurants were open for their guests. After a random run-in with Santa on the streets, we then scrounged up whatever each of our families had in our apartments and make a quick trip to the gas station for baguette sandwiches and then met at our friends' place and made the best of the situation. Even though it was a hodge podge of leftover food (and gas station food), we actually had a fantastic Christmas Eve! We felt the Christmas spirit and simply enjoyed the good company. Later that night, the girls put cookies and carrots out for Santa and his reindeer and left little notes next to the tree.
Christmas morning felt magical as the girls woke up and ran to us, excited to see that Santa had come. They opened their stockings and received one present from Santa, knowing that he would deliver more presents to our home in Doha. Then we opened presents that we each bought one another. Taelyn got Kaelia a My Little Pony Playdoh set while Kaelia got Taelyn winter-themed earrings, a necklace, and a ring. They both loved their gifts, and we all felt how sentimental they were to one another. Then they gave Justin a new beer mug and me some awesome wool socks and slippers - all of which they shopped for at the Christmas market in Krakow, Poland. Finally, Justin and I gave our gifts to the girls: Monopoly Junior for Taelyn and a Supergirl costume to Kaelia. We had such a special morning together.
Later that day, we went to the only place open on Christmas: the Aqua Park! This is our third year in a row of spending Christmas at a European indoor waterpark. Here we met up with the Jettners and spent a couple of hours swimming, going down waterslides, and hanging out in the hot tub. It was awesome!
For Christmas dinner, both the Jettners and our friends from school came to our place. This time, we were a little better prepared with food and enjoyed a lovely evening together. The girls even did a little gift exchange with Ari while we did a white elephant exchange with the Jettners with gifts from the Christmas market.
We are so blessed to have the opportunity to spend Christmas is such a beautiful place. Merry Christmas!
For the first time since living in the US, we actually had a real Christmas tree this year! We bought a tiny little tree in the Christmas market along with various wooden ornaments that the girls colored with markers. Inside the apartment, the girls chose to put the tree in their bedroom in front of their balcony that was also lit up with Christmas lights. Their room also had a fireplace to set a perfect scene for Christmas morning.
On Christmas Eve, we got together with a family from our school in Qatar. We were told that restaurants would be open for dinner, but when we walked around the town, we realized that only hotel restaurants were open for their guests. After a random run-in with Santa on the streets, we then scrounged up whatever each of our families had in our apartments and make a quick trip to the gas station for baguette sandwiches and then met at our friends' place and made the best of the situation. Even though it was a hodge podge of leftover food (and gas station food), we actually had a fantastic Christmas Eve! We felt the Christmas spirit and simply enjoyed the good company. Later that night, the girls put cookies and carrots out for Santa and his reindeer and left little notes next to the tree.Christmas morning felt magical as the girls woke up and ran to us, excited to see that Santa had come. They opened their stockings and received one present from Santa, knowing that he would deliver more presents to our home in Doha. Then we opened presents that we each bought one another. Taelyn got Kaelia a My Little Pony Playdoh set while Kaelia got Taelyn winter-themed earrings, a necklace, and a ring. They both loved their gifts, and we all felt how sentimental they were to one another. Then they gave Justin a new beer mug and me some awesome wool socks and slippers - all of which they shopped for at the Christmas market in Krakow, Poland. Finally, Justin and I gave our gifts to the girls: Monopoly Junior for Taelyn and a Supergirl costume to Kaelia. We had such a special morning together.
Later that day, we went to the only place open on Christmas: the Aqua Park! This is our third year in a row of spending Christmas at a European indoor waterpark. Here we met up with the Jettners and spent a couple of hours swimming, going down waterslides, and hanging out in the hot tub. It was awesome!
For Christmas dinner, both the Jettners and our friends from school came to our place. This time, we were a little better prepared with food and enjoyed a lovely evening together. The girls even did a little gift exchange with Ari while we did a white elephant exchange with the Jettners with gifts from the Christmas market.
We are so blessed to have the opportunity to spend Christmas is such a beautiful place. Merry Christmas!
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