Christmas spirit has arrived in Alice!

The boys posing in front of the white "boomers" pulling the sleigh.

I have had a difficult time adjusting to Christmas in the summer, even with my tree up, the arrival of our  Elf on a Shelf, Tumbleflump (fortunately he knew the way to Australia) and a few decorations here and there, the Christmas spirit has been lacking.  That is until this weekend, it is amazing how one event can change your whole perspective of the season.

Saturday began with a pancake breakfast with Santa, this was a great opportunity to catch up with friends and for the boys to tell Santa exactly what they want.  Their Christmas list here is considerably shorter with the absence of toy advertisements on TV and the complete lack of “super stores”.  As a matter of fact, the number one thing on their list is football uniforms so they can play against each other.  Jake, of course, has asked for a Dallas Cowboys uniform while Dillon has asked for the New England Patriots, not sure why.  I told Dillon if he gets it, he will have to wear it outside!

Sunday we woke up to a welcomed cold front, the forecast was a mere 96 degrees, so we decided this would be a good time to put our outdoor Christmas lights up.  When we were about half way done we heard a honking horn coming towards us, low and behold it was Santa’s helpers in the back of a ute (truck) handing out icy poles (popsicles).  Apparently this has been a tradition done by the APEX group for almost 40 years, they drive up and down every street in Alice bringing smiles to all the kids!

Watching one of the choirs.

The children with candles chasing Santa!

Sunday evening was a beautiful, windy night so we decided to head to the Carols by Candlelight celebration being held at one of the sports ovals.  There were about 2000 people there and we were all given a battery operated candle as we entered that we could wave simultaneously while singing.  There were various choirs performing, we heard carols in English and in Aboriginal languages.  Of course the highlight for the boys would have to be when Santa decided to join the party – he arrived in the back of a ute with about 100 children chasing him through the open field.  My highlight would be when the carol “We Three Kings” was performed; the three wise men were brought to the stage on camels dressed in Christmas lights – unbelievable!  The story of the baby Jesus was then told with quite the Australian twist, if I heard correctly the innkeeper might have told Joseph “Good day, Mate”!  After about an hour and a half of Christmas Carols we were treated to an amazing fireworks display, right over the tops of our heads – honestly it could not have been any closer.  I knew when this event was over that the Christmas spirit had arrived in Alice!

Santa made it up on stage to throw candy to all the kids.

I received a package this week from some of my friends in Dallas, they had included me in our annual ornament exchange even though I am thousands of miles away.  The ornaments all had a Texas theme which means more to me know than I ever thought it could.  I soon realized how much I miss seeing all the bling and of course how much I miss margaritas, but most of all how lucky I am to have such amazing friends in my life!