Hyderabadi Christmas

 The holidays are an especially difficulty time to be living away from family and friends, missing out on traditions and the chance to meet up with old friends. Luckily, we have found some great friends in Hyderabad and had a wonderful day with them, eating wonderful food, making Gingerbread houses and getting our photo taken in Santa's own specially designed tuk-tuk.

Some of the Consulate drivers, including Youseff at the back.

Making Gingerbread houses, although Foster was more interested in eating the decorations.

Christmas Eve

Foster was super excited to leave cookies and milk out for Santa and a carrot for the reindeer. Although he had to be reminded that the cookie was for Santa and not for eating. We also hung our stockings up "in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there."

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells

Foster's rendition of the Christmas classic.

Foster Meets Santa

We've come a long way from last year---Foster was excited to meet Santa during the Consulate Christmas party. Maybe it was because he recognized the familiar face behind the beard, our friend Omar?

Be quite, the carolers are singing!

Happy Holidays

Foster was getting into the Christmas mood. We tried on his outfit to wear to the Consulate Christmas party and I told him he was going to wear a tie like Dad. Then he said he needed his glasses so that he would look like dad too and the result was pretty cute.

Christmas is coming

We started our advent calendar--thanks to Aunt Whitney and tonight we put up our tree. Even though it is 80 degrees out, it is starting to feel like Christmas. Foster is excited about Santa Claus. We read the Night Before Christmas and when he saw the Santa hats the next night, he grabbed one and said he wanted to be a big Santa.

Foster considers our tree a "big Christmas" tree, he definitely has not experienced Christmas in the U.S. We have a new friend in our house as well, the Elf on the Shelf (thanks Aunt P.), made a long trip from the U.S. and he came with costumes! Our favorite is the pilot costume. Foster's love of flying has definitely made him change his behavior if we remind him that the "pilot said no crabby boys," or the " "the pilot said you have to get a hair cut before we take a trip." So I think that for the next month Foste will definitely be on his best behavior.

More Sun and Fun from Goa

Thanksgiving--Goa Style

We headed to the beach for Thanksgiving and Auntie Whitney was visiting. Foster loves the big waves and building sand castles.

Mom's bday dinner.

Aunt Whitney what is this thing?

Shots from Jaisalmer