A December to Remember

Everything was quite new for us last year. The Christmas season was well underway by the time we arrived in Brazil, but not this year!

December hadn't even begun when we attended our first event. "He is the Gift" was presented by the Curitiba LDS Institute. It was spectacular, if I do say so myself! Even the mayor of Curitiba was there. (He came in his helicopter. Much easier than trying to get around the city in a car.) We were just two of the 9,000 people who saw this amazing program of song and dance. 

And what would December be without shopping the feiras (fairs) and malls - all decked out for the holiday shoppers.

Our tummies never had a chance to feel hunger. Every time we turned around, we were filling them up with something delicious.

(Still missing these two greatly!)

And a holiday in South America just wouldn't be a holiday without a panettone or two on your counter!

We were even able to take in a play during December. When we found out that Anna Hart was in her school production of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory", we just had to go. It was darling - and all in English, I might add, because the kids go to the International School of Curitiba.😊

And let's not forget the temple. 

Our little apartment was festive - as well as our lobby.

We even enjoyed the Christmas Devotional all the way from SLC.

Our temple concert attracted a large audience - even the people in the nearby apartments sat on their balconies for an evening in celebration of the season.

And what's Christmas without a nativity?

Christmas Eve was a combination of good food, good friends, and a good program. Fireworks are generally set off at midnight, but this year they were cancelled due to heavy monsoon-like rains. (They will be saved for New Year's Eve.)

We enjoyed a quiet Christmas Day. Face-timing our children was, of course, the highlight of our day!

Our "treat table" is so much different down here than the ones we're used to back home. 

I can't believe that 2017 is almost over. Not only has this been a December to remember, but it has been a year to remember, as well.