In Chile...Christmas is celebrated on Christmas Eve...known as Noche Buena. The tradition is that presents are to be opened at midnight...so the festivities start super late. The whole Aguilera family, Ernesto's mom's family...came over and we ate a delicious Chilean meal about 10 pm. We had steak, palta (avocado), tomatoes, potato salad, mixed veggies, iceberg lettuce, bread and some other small dishes...with lots of mayo everywhere. It was so delicious! A special dessert was prepared...rather purchased...Ernesto's favorite...known as Torta de Mil Hojas. The translation is something like Thousand Sheet Cake because sheets of pastry like flat/thin cake are stacked with manjar (dulce de leche)...a very time consuming ordeal...but oh so yummy. 
After dinner Tia Marite put in old family home videos from Christmases past and other family events. It was too cute to see everyone younger. We even saw Ernesto and I two Christmases ago with Azaleia in my tummy. Right before midnight was approaching...we all sat and listened to Ernesto read Luke 2 from the Bible and then we sang a Christmas song Joy to the World. 
Then each family representative went to the tree and distributed their presents prepared for everyone. I love that here everyone gives to everyone. Big presents, little presents, significant presents, insignificant presents...presents for everyone. It is so fun! The present process takes a while...and everyone shares and enjoys their new gifts. Azaleia was in seventh heaven with so many fun toys...a stroller from Mima and Pipa (her grandparents) for her baby Snow White from Santa, 
her pretty dress and matching baby doll made by her Mama, 
a house with furniture and little people from Mima and Pipa, 
a big girl tricycle from Tia Marite, a Barbie doll from cousin Nikki, fun clothes from Tias and Grandmas...and so many things...too hard to count. This girl is having so much fun with everything. Cousin Nikki let her play with her big stuffed animal that was given to her by her boyfriend. Here in Chile stuffed animals and flowers are hot items.
Then each family representative went to the tree and distributed their presents prepared for everyone. I love that here everyone gives to everyone. Big presents, little presents, significant presents, insignificant presents...presents for everyone. It is so fun! The present process takes a while...and everyone shares and enjoys their new gifts. Azaleia was in seventh heaven with so many fun toys...a stroller from Mima and Pipa (her grandparents) for her baby Snow White from Santa, 
her pretty dress and matching baby doll made by her Mama, 
a house with furniture and little people from Mima and Pipa, 
a big girl tricycle from Tia Marite, a Barbie doll from cousin Nikki, fun clothes from Tias and Grandmas...and so many things...too hard to count. This girl is having so much fun with everything. Cousin Nikki let her play with her big stuffed animal that was given to her by her boyfriend. Here in Chile stuffed animals and flowers are hot items.
After presents...the music comes on...and we dance the night away!Azaleia's Great Grandmother "Abueli" is the biggest dancer...along with Tia Marite. Azaleia was loving it...and stayed up dancing with everyone. We went to bed after 3am...so much fun!
We love being with our Chilean family. It feels like yesterday for us to be back...but I'm sure harder for them all. We feel so blessed to share this time of year with them...especially for Azaleia to get to know her family too. Everyone adores her...just like us.
What a blessing to know that we will be together forever thanks to our loving Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ! Ernesto and I are blessed to have been raised in faithful families...who love the Lord...and follow Him. We love this season of year and give thanks for the remembrance of His birth. We pray that you all had a lovely Christmas...wherever you may be!
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