Traditions Carried On

The children's first Christmas in America began with two Sunday Christmas Eve services, which they didn't get much more out of than fun play time in the nursery. Just before a later-than-normal bedtime, we read the Christmas story. The next morning, Santa had arrived as promised. One might think that, having come from orphanages, the children would be overwhelmed with getting so spoiled all in one shot. But receiving so many cool gifts -- everything from toys with small figures to dolls and toys that push and ride -- didn't phase Anna and Alexander a bit. It just wasn't that difficult for them to open so many presents. Instead of gifts in stockings, Santa left a few gifts in pillowcases at the ends of their beds. It's an English tradition Mikel and his sister enjoyed at Christmas time as children, one which their mother brought across the big pond. Here, the children are shown having already dragged the goodie bags into the living room.