We popped back to the states for the month of December and had a chance to see snow (thanks, Denver) and lots of family and friends. And remember the joy of Christmas decorations!

Last Christmas we were in Costa Rica and I really missed the Christmas lights, music, and overwhelming commercialization of the holiday. OK, maybe not the overwhelming commercialization of the season, but certainly the excitement of the season. This year we were in Marloth until December 1. This was fantastic because it meant that I didn't hear a single Christmas song or see a single Christmas tree until we flew to Johannesburg. I've decided having Christmas in my face for a month is the perfect amount of time to really enjoy it and make it feel special. Our (tentative) future plans are to spend Christmases in the states with family and friends.

Although we really dislike cold weather and Jim would be happy to never see snow again, a little piece of me really likes cold and snow for Christmas. Especially if there is a nice roaring fire to sit in front of with Christmas trees.

Florida

We started our month in the states in Florida where we had a week of exciting doctor appointments. We also started our month of Christmas light extravaganza with a trip to Enchanted at Tropicana Field in St Pete with Jim's sister's family and his mom.

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We met up with my cousin and my aunt for lunch and a few friends for dinner, but it was a short time in Florida with all those pesky doctor appointments (and an all day long hair appointment for me!).

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Colorado

The next stop on our Christmas lights tour of the US was to Denver, where we got to see a bit of snow when we landed. It was mostly cold (freezing), but we managed a few nice days that were great hike days.

I was lucky enough to hike with my best hiking buddy on my favorite secret trail with a bighorn sheep sighting. It ended up being a perfect day for the hike since the next day was 70 to 100mph winds. Yep, typical Colorado winter weather, 65 degrees one day and 15 degrees the next.

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We also got to hike with our favorite 8-year old adventurer! Our friends Matt and Beth are some of the best parents we know and we love talking travel, culture, and ways to make the world a better place while hiking the hills of Colorado with them and their sweet children. They are already planning a trip to visit us in South Africa. We get giddy thinking about how much they would love learning and exploring our new home. We were lucky enough to see Nora perform in the Nutcracker too. (Side note: this was Jim's first time seeing the Nutcracker EVER 😮 He didn’t even know the story!)

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I always say that I'm so fortunate to have found so many great friends in Denver. If only we could find a way to make it a little warmer in the winter, I might be able to convince Jim to move back-or at least visit a lot more often! Hmmmm… maybe this global warming thing could work out well for me… (kidding, kidding).

I also got in a nuggets game with her-just like old times ❤️

There were lots of dinners with friends and I even managed to hit bookclub/cookie exchange. Agh, I miss my people in Colorado. Somehow, I failed to take pictures of many of the dinners and outings 🤷🏻‍♀️

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Richmond

As much fun as we were having in Colorado, I was excited to make our way to my mom's new house in Richmond, VA. We got bonus time with some of my cousins and a quick breakfast with my aunt and uncle too.

We started a new Christmas Eve tradition with my cousin and his husband: a traditional Venezuelan Christmas Eve. You know how much I love baking so I was excited when my cousin invited me over to help him make the pan de jamón. The whole family got together to make the hallacas we would have for Christmas Eve dinner. We had so much fun learning how to make them (and later eating them). Christmas was at my mom and Kel's house. And of course we decorated cookies for Santa.

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My aunt and uncle happened to be in town visiting another one of my cousins on my dad's side of the family so I whipped up some sourdough cinnamon buns and headed there for breakfast to see them and get time with her adorable kids. I love that I get to play auntie to them-and I love how much they love “Unkie” Jim. And to top it all of, we got to meet their new puppy, Barkley (or as I call him, Sir Barkley!).

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Our Christmas lights tour ended on a spectacular note with a trip to the Botanical Gardens and a tacky lights tour hitting all the most spectacular lights in the Richmond area.

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I think we are planning to spend Decembers in the States, even if it means I have to wear a hat and mittens and my feet can never seem to get warm. It was so nice having family and friends around. I love getting to sit with my mom on the couch next to (one of three) Christmas tree(s) in front of a nice toasty warm fire. Yes, my mother had THREE Christmas trees. Next year I want a pink one in my room.