Christmas Day

We were supposed to go to Hong Kong for Christmas.  We went last year (see previous posting) and loved it.  But, I got really sick after China, so we decided to stay home.  I didn't feel like decorating and I was planning to be elsewhere so our only tree was a glass miniature I bought the day before Christmas.  I did not want to take a picture of it but Bill and Caroline decided it would be funny to make fun of my lack of Christmas spirit.

We had to wake Patrick up at noon so we could get started... If we let him, it would have been about 4 in the afternoon.
Caroline was getting anxious...

He was rough around the edges but awake.

Caroline was happy to get started on presents...

Scarf for Patrick... (He really has been asking for one!!)

Thank God for iTunes Cards.  The perfect gift for every teenager.

Saw these masks from Bali and knew Patrick would love them.  You can't tell from the half asleep face, but he really does like them.  I love them.

Patrick gets his iTunes cards...

We decided that the Christmas House Restaurant would be the best cure for our dismal Christmas display.  It was!  We love this little restaurant.

Caroline's birthday is December 26.  I thought the Christmas House would be the best place to give her her 13th birthday present.  I have had her present on lay-away for 4 months.  Some of you know that I have a part time job at a gift store on the Kadena Air Force Base (yes, I still have a full time teaching job, but is in online).  It is really like an import store.  Our managers travel all over Asia and buy furniture, housewares, clothes, jewelry etc and we sell it really cheap.
Anyway, we have a guy in the shop from Hong Kong.  He sells far below the states, and the staff gets 50% off, and he does lay-away.  So I found something for Caroline my first week there and have been paying about $20 a week. I was so excited to finally give it to her.

It is a beautiful pink sapphire and diamond ring.  Yes, way over the top but she is my little girl.

So as soon as I paid off Caroline's ring, I put a ring on lay away for myself.  Our jewelry guy (His name is Patrick) specializes in pearls.  I picked one out for myself.  
Bill comes to visit me in the store every Saturday.  After I close up, at about 2pm, we go for lunch or coffee.  I was busy like crazy the Saturday before Christmas (another reason I did not feel like decorating), anyway, apparently my boss told Bill that I had jewelry on lay-away.  He bought it right under my nose and surprised me on Christmas.  I was thrilled because I did not expect to have the ring until the summer.  
So here it is, 18k gold too!

He bought a matching pendant to go with it.

Bill got a breath mint and chocolate at the restaurant...(yikes!)  I did not plan anything because we were supposed to go to Hong Kong...He looks happy.

Merry Christmas!