Merrry Christmas Everyone!!

I hope you all a wonderful wonderful Christmas!!

We did the Swedish Christmas last night. Here are a few pics, the Sis. Missionaries did come so that was kinda neat! Julie opening presents
Swedish Candles (see below)
Carl Just before he reads Luke 2

Swedish Christmas Eve

First starts with a reading of the oldest family member or patriarch of the family reading Luke 2. Far Far used to read it in Swedish as did Herb (the best he could remember to translate!)Carl just read it in English.

Then it starts with a 7 course meal.
Sausage, Rolled Butter (done with paddles I learned this last year). Including the famous swedish meatballs and lingonberries.
and many different kinds of cheese.
Then the different breads
Then usually followed by the fish. (we leave out the lukefish Don't know how to spell it let alone eat it!).None of the true Swedes in the family will touch the stuff!
Then followed by ham
Then followed by potatoes.
A dessert is usually rice pudding. An almond is placed in the main bowl first. The person who gets the almond in there bowl will get married.

Now the candles. Each person gets their little mini candles. (we have our own candle holders, but we couldn't find them this year!) You light them at the begining of the dinner. The one who's candle is the shortest at the end of dinner has been the naughtiest!!!!

usually dinner is followed by St. Lucia. We didn't do it this year. Alexis did it for us last year. Then dancing around the Christmas tree with Swedish Christmas songs. We didn't have the room this year either so we skipped that part!
Santa comes on Christmas eve in Sweden and then Church the next day.
It's more religous in Sweden on Christmas day.
We did presents to Ben and Inger and Holly and Julie and Zane. We got them a puzzle for New Years and I did a picture for Ben and Inger with their newest Granddaughter and framed it. I doctored it in Photoshop.

Carl and I did our own Christmas this morning. It was nice we slept in till 9am and then did our presents. I got him a basketball. Since I can't replace he golf clubs just yet. I also got him a DVD (one he had but I didn't double check it! Dang it!)I also ordered his 2nd James Bond book. He's been reading the series.

He got me a very nice lighthouse necklace, which I thought I threw away with the wrapping paper! But I found it later! THank goodness! He also go me some bath stuff and lotion stuff in a really cute box. and a Journal. He gets me a journal every year! It was all wonderful!
It's been a wonderful wonderful Christmas!

MERRRY CHRISTMAS!