Feliz Navidad!  Ev and I are writing the blog today.  That means my Spanish comprehension has doubled to at least 10 words.  First let us tell you about Christmas Eve in Honduras.  The day actually begins several days before with the encroaching sounds of firecrackers.  They greeted us upon our arrival on the 22nd.  And they have increased with frequency such that it's now 6:30pm and we're up to about quatro per minute.  We predict it'll be like the fourth of July by midnight.

But let's recount our day.  We joined the El Hogar family for breakfast.  We had a delicious meal of eggs, refried beans, tortitas and mixed fruit - Ev loved it!  We then split up among the children.  Ev started a game of baseball with several of the younger boys.  After taking a much needed water break, Ev then joined a game of futbol.  Sean played basketball and was thoroughly schooled by Cristhofer & William, the former of which has reminded me quite regularly throughout the day that he is the "basketball champion."  Matt Walsh also joined the elite team to continue the domination.  

Having been thoroughly exhausted by the children, we enjoyed a post-lunch siesta.  Well, one of us did and the other played Nintendo.  The highlight of the day so far was being feted by the El Hogar singers & dancers as they performed a number of Christmas classics.  We have several great videos that we will share when we return.  After that, the Dalton/Walsh (Walton) clan then spent a good portion of the afternoon turning the café into a holiday spectacular.  We learned that in Honduras Christmas Ev is the day of celebration while Christmas Day is a far more typical day.  And so, as we write to you, the rest of the Dalton/Walsh team is on their way to a Christmas Eve service with all the children.  In a couple of hours we will be reunited with everyone at El Hogar for an amazing Christmas Eve dinner around 9pm.  To help the children make it through the evening, Mikeala offered a cookie snack around 4pm.

But that's only the beginning.  We heard a rumor that Santa himself will be making a flyby sometime before midnight.  Apparently a few elves will also be participating.  And there's a good chance that Mikaela will be reading The Night Before Christmas in Spanish.  I'm sure the pictures from the celebration will be marvelous - you'll have to tune in tomorrow to see them.  Forgive all of us if the blog is somewhat delayed tomorrow as we are told that seeing a bed before 1am would be highly unlikely.   

Feliz Navidad  to all, and all a goodnight!