Feliz Navidad

We have been slowly getting into the Christmas spirit here in Santiago.  We can't complain about sunny 85 degree days, it is just weird listening to, "Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow" and then pulling on our bathing suits.
We've done some creative decorating with paper chains and homemade signage (and a big thanks to Aunt Meghan for the crafty banner we've assembled and hung!)  We got a 2 ft. fake tree with flashy blinking lights and made a bunch of ornaments.   The kids and I baked Rice Krispie treats and butter cookies and it was super exciting when we found cinnamon red hots at a specialty market for decorating.   Yesterday we even made a trip to the department store at the mall to see Santa and tell him in Spanish what gifts we were hoping to see on Christmas morning (Harper practiced una muñeca con vestido rojo for the whole taxi ride there.)

Harper gets ready to "bend down" the tree

Puffed rice is almost as good as Rice Krispie's cereal

Better Housekeeping's butter cookie recipe.  Yum.

Christmas department-store style.  Can't get that in Carbondale, Amen!

Harper wrote her and Cal's names on the map so he would know where to bring the loot!

Santa better have some serious reindeer power.  Chile is huge!

Cal is in awe of the toy-making machine.

Terrible photo but really nice "mind-reading" Santa (Harper didn't even have to say her line.)

Tonight we are staying in to eat popcorn and watch A Muppet's Christmas Carol.  On Christmas Eve we are making dinner here.  We toyed with the idea of trying to make some traditional favorites (Grandma Mary's jello and Aunt Meghan's sweet potatoes) but we think we are going to embrace where we are and attempt to make some Chilean fare.  On Christmas we'll spend the morning playing at our place and then we are headed to the Grand Hyatt for a late lunch on the patio.  It sure will feel different than years past but we know our Carbondale Christmas will be there waiting for us next year.