Christmastime is Here



Josephine says, "Everyone who comes to Florence should come at Christmastime.
It is magical."

In Florence at Christmastime, every main street strings Christmas lights and each piazza has a decorated tree.

Near our home was a European Christmas market, open all day, everyday for the first 3 weeks of December. We visitted the market often, enjoying simple, hand-crafted gifts and foods, outdoor eateries and mulled wine, making it a car-free, mall-free holiday season!

The Children's Lending Library of Florence, where Sophia and Josephine borrow English-language books and movies each week, hosted a fun, family Christmas party.

We baked, decorated, gave-away and ate some of our favorite home-made Christamas treats.



Joe and Gonzaga students gathered crowds downtown by singing Christmas carols to benefit Unicef.

 


The girls trimmed our tree with strung popcorn and hand-crafted, paper ornaments, candied orange, gingerbread trees and candy canes, and... 

 

...friends came over to celebrate the holiday with us.

We had early Christmas morning phone calls and Christmas morning stockings and gifts.

The meaning of Christmas came easily for us this year in Florence. The only thing missing was our loved ones.
"The true meaning of Christmas," says Josephine,"is being together."

We hope your Chrismas was full of hope and joy, and surrounded by loved ones. We've missed you during this Christmastime and look forward to being with you again next year.