Sakhalin Christmas.... AGAIN....

Okay, Okay... that title sounds very condescending and angry..... I was delighted to be here for Christmas for the 2nd year. WOW.... We've spent Christmas here two years in a row and it has been wonderful! We've made so many memories and new traditions. Spending Christmas in a snowy place brings me back to my childhood in upstate NY. However, While we spent Christmas in tons of snow, my family was enjoying 68 degree weather in NY. That's CRAZY!!!!

On Christmas Eve we changed up the menu a bit. We usually have chili but my husband decided he wanted a new tradition, Gumbo. So I spent the good majority of the afternoon on Christmas Eve making homemade Gumbo and a banana pudding. This was the first time I had ever made either of these and that turned out amazing. I am very critical of my cooking but I was rather impressed with these. Also... Will approved, so I knew it was good :-)

We had the fortunate pleasure to enjoy dinner with the Inna, Anthony and their kiddos. That is what makes this location so amazing, being able to spend holidays with great friends when family is so far away. 

CHRISTMAS MORNING!!!!!!!

It is never an easy task getting the kids to cooperate for pictures!

We are a Star Wars loving, light saber wielding family! Ash loved her Master Yoda, Mike with his R2D2, and CJ with his Chewbaca :-)

Ash got a Maleficent dolly, and some more pieces for her doll house

Mike playing with his new Army fort and soldiers

CJ and his building blocks - Each kids got a different set

I do not know why but I found it extremely fascinating that in a toy store in Russia, there are United States NASA Discovery Shuttle toys with pieces to pretend land on the moon. I was looking for the Apollo but no such luck

My little Storm Trooper

And there there is Miss Princess herself complete with a pink sword, cape, and crown ready to defend her kingdom

This kid..... I have no words!

DARTH VADER!!!

CJ is a Sith, Mike is Anakin, and Ash is Luke :-) FYI - We've had only one bloody nose since Christmas and they are more likely to get hurt running around and playing like normal kids.

I'm just going to put this picture here ~ Ash kills me.... Her imagination and personality 

All ready for Christmas Dinner!!!! I have got some good looking kids!!!

Christmas was too much for him - He needed a nap before the chaos broke out with the Jackson and Atwood children

Our Christmas dinner menu consisted of pulled pork that cooked for 12 hours the night before, Turkey made by the wonderful staff at the Community Center, Green Beans with Almonds, two types of stuffing made by Janel and Greg, corn bread, mashed potatoes, and 

lastly... they best yet.... Inna's fabulous pies!!!!!

Sadly, no one took pictures, I know.... shameful!!! We had a house full of people and kids! Watching all of them play together was amazing. The six adults sat and chatted while the chaos broke out upstairs :-) 

All in all another successful Christmas hosted by the Fry Family. 

Not sure what next year will bring or where we will be but I can say that I am truthfully excited to see what awaits us in 2016!