Babies' first Christmas and mom's visit

This post is coming late because as you might know from my last post, things have been a bit crazy around here this month. Now that we are back home from the hospital and I have some more free time I am going to try to write more on the blog, especially since I feel like the girls are growing so fast! This entry is important since it chronicles their first Christmas. Enjoy!
Noonie came to visit!
I like the Christmas season but I have to say that this year was super special since it was Laura and Vera's first. Jose and I tried to do all the fun stuff associated with the holidays and over the past month and a half we have had a blast. From shopping for gifts, to spending time with family and friends, to visiting Seville and our town´s city center, everything has been wonderful. 
Downtown Sevilla
We kicked off Christmas by heading into Seville to see the lights. We went after work one afternoon early enough that it wasn't too cold and before there were too many people (it gets CRAZY busy). We went to see the nativity scene market and stopped in a few shops before having dinner downtown. The girls fell asleep in their stroller so Jose and I also walked through a Christmas festival happening in a park. Just seeing all the lights and the festive atmosphere was enough to get me into the holiday mood. 
Everyone at Christmas Ever
We celebrated Christmas Eve and Christmas day with Jose's family in their village. Santa came to visit bringing presents for everyone and we ate a ton of food. Jose's sister and her boyfriend came from France for a few weeks and brought our niece Eva with them of course.  Vera and Laura have two cousins that are the same age as them so it was exciting to have them all together for their first Christmas.
The girls with their cousin Eva
My mom flew into Spain on the 30th of December so we went to pick her up at the airport. It was also Jose and my fifth wedding anniversary but we didn't end up doing anything to celebrate since it was in the midst of my mom's visit. We are still planning on something special just the two of us soon.

We spent New Year's Eve at Jose's parents house where we had dinner and ate our grapes at midnight. It shouldn't be surprising to anyone else who has young children but we didn't go out to party that night. 

Between New Year's and the big celebration on the sixth of January we went to see a small parade in Jose's hometown featuring the three Wisemen and we also headed into the downtown area of the city where we live. We looked at the lights, rode a special Christmas train for kids and had some street food. The girls also got to go see the traditional representative for the three Kings (the cartero real) who children visit and give a letter to which details what they want for Christmas.
The girls with the cartero real
On the fourth of January we drove a few hours away to visit a giant chocolate nativity scene that we had been hearing about for the past years. This year it was themed around famous cities in Italy and though it was original, I am not sure it was worth the two hour drive to get there. At least now we can say we did it. My favorite part was the chocolate sculpture of Juan y Medio, a tv presenter on our local channel Canal Sur who I have loved for years. 
Chocolate nativity scene in Rute
On the fifth we of course had to go see the annual parade of the Three Kings where Jose took his job of catching stuff they were throwing quite seriously. We ended up with some random stuff like underwear but also got some balls and other toys that the girls are playing with now.

The next day we opened up all of our presents that the kings had brought for us and then had lunch with Jose's family. We tried to be reasonable in what the girls got this year especially because they didn't realize what was going on. They both got baby dolls and a xylophone to share. Our family on both side truly spoiled them though so thank you to everyone!

There is a tradition of having a round cake filled with cream for breakfast on the sixth after you open presents. You slice the cake and two of the pieces contain small figures, one of a king and one of a bean. If you get the king you are special and get to wear a crown. If you get the bean you have to buy the cake the next year. I had gotten the bean for the last few years but this time I ended up with nothing but calories!
Christmas train selfie!
My mom left for the U.S. the next day and we were sad to see her go. It was a relaxing visit and I am happy she got to experience Christmas here in Spain. The weather was really nice and we got to eat outside quite a few times which I know she appreciated especially since she was escaping the cold of Michigan.

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