We celebrated New Year's Eve at the church with Graciela and Cefereino (Pastors at the church) and a few others. From left to right is Alyse, Brett, Chino (our roommate), and Graciela, preparing the grill. Apparently burning plastic starts the fire quicker.

Brett, Jeremy, and Cassandra spent Christmas Eve with a couple from the church, Nemasio & Tanya and their two nephews.

One of the Venezuelan Christmas traditions is to set up a large nativity scene. This nativity is tailored so the children can play with it and includes many animals, houses, and even a pond. On Christmas morning, baby Jesus is born and put in the stable for the first time (a similar tradition Cassandra's family practices).

A table runner that Cassandra's grandma, Marion Friesen, made. We gave it to them as a gift for their hospitality. They said it was the first gift they had received in their new house.

Graciela asked us to make a traditional food that we ate on New Year's Eve, so Brett and Cassandra made New Year's Cookies. They were a huge hit and the ladies from the church want to learn how to make them. Basically they are dough and raisin balls fried in oil and than covered in frosting or sugar. They have now been labeled galletas de Nebraska which literally translates at Cookies of Nebraska or Nebraska cookies.