Merry Christmas

My Christmas weekend started on Friday when we were dismissed from work at 2pm! So I headed home, and picked up my mom and headed off to a couple of stores for some last minute Christmas shopping! Later that evening, Liesel and I were again able to go and watch a movie together, and went to see "We are Marshall". It was an inspirational (and true) story that was very well told.
On Saturday morning, the weather had turned considerably cooler, but we still headed for downtown Cleveland. We got out and walked around the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Great Lakes Science Center, and Cleveland Brown's Stadium. after about 30 minutes, I (being the only one without gloves and a hat!) called it a day and got everyone bundled into the car again. We stopped at Tower City, which is a unique shopping mall in one of the tallest buildings in Cleveland. In Tower City, right at the bottom, there is a train station. Then above that, there is a 3 level shopping mall. It had amazing Christmas decorations all suspended in the air, with animated characters in each display! Nathan was enthralled! We also, showed Nathan the fountains in the center of the mall! This is a wishing fountains, so Liesel and myself gave him some pennies to throw into the water. This turned out to be his favorite thing of the day, with him constantly turning to us and asking us "More?". We must have given him at least 50c worth of pennies between us, but watching the joy on his face was priceless!

Church was first on our itinerary for Sunday! It was a great service with amazing music provided by an orchestra (complete with Kettle Drums) and the Providence Choir! After Church, we were invited to our friends for a Christmas Eve lunch! They spoilt us with a huge lunch and chocolate cake for dessert! Later that afternoon, after a well earned afternoon nap, we did our bunteteller. Bunteteller is a German tradition, where Christmas cookies, chocolates, marzipan, etc, are shared amongst all of us in the household. Then this collection of calories is yours to keep and devour as quickly (my personal choice) or as slowly as you like......
Once Nathan was asleep, Liesel and I kicked into full gear and started moving presents around. Nathan's main gift is a 350 piece train set on a table, with a parking garage, gas station, firestation, etc etc. This needed to be put together, and required quite a bit of effort, as most things had to be screwed down, fastened and tightened! It took us longer than expected, but I had a heck of a lot of fun playing (I mean putting it together!) Finally, at about 1am, I could go to bed and eagerly wait for Santa's friendly invasion.

Woohoo, Christmas in Cleveland finally arrived. Nathan wandered into the lounge at 8am and it didn't take long for his eyes to fall upon his train table! This wooden toy proceeded to monopolize Nathan's attention for the next couple of hours! In the meantime, my mom, Liesel and I opened some of our gifts and spoke to loved ones in Southern Africa. We all were spoilt and very happy with our gifts! Lunch was another spectacular feast that Liesel prepared! It consisted of Roast Chicken, glazed ham, fresh bread rolls, sweet potato and vegetables. Dessert was chocolate mousse for me, and cherry pie for the rest!!! (guess who will be needing to spend a few extra hours in the gym this week)
And that was our first Christmas in the USA as permanent residents! Life is good, and I am certain that next Christmas will be even better!

We wish you all a very blessed Christmas and a prosperous 2007!
Grant, Liesel and Nathan