The Christmas Break!!

I had 12 whole days!!! - December 21 to January 2.

It's one of the best holidays I've had since I came to the U.S. I went to Oklahoma and was there the entire break. First of all I was very excited to spend time with my grandma with whom I've very close and who I hadn't seen for over 3 years.

Then family came from all over. I spent time with my aunts and their families, my cousins, distant relations, close friends and their families. There were friends and family from Oklahoma, North Carolina, Atlanta, Nigeria, Cameroon, Kansas, Arkansas (Aaron and I),...I don't know if I'm leaving any out. At one point, we were staying more than 20 of us in my aunt Kona's big house!! It was really exciting. Then towards New Year, a whole different "cafiage" gathered at Ma Angeline's house on the South western side of Oklahoma. In between all that, we had a Cameroonian christmas eve party, a New Year eve party, and a New Year day party. Food, food, food, as you will see in the pictures. In both my aunts' homes, I was given a surprise birthday party. There were gifts...gifts...gifts!!! Fortunately, Aaron, who was working every day by the way, wasn't working very far away and came to join in the festivities whenever he could. I also spent some days with him at the rig site. So, it was a well-rounded, wonderful holiday!!! I came back to Arkansas and to work on the 3rd much rested! I am really grateful to God and my family for such a wonderful holiday.

Coming into Oklahoma in a snow storm ~



Christmas eve at Ma Angeline's opening gifts ~

At the Christmas eve party ~

Here's my grandma dancing to a Bali piece ~

My aunt Angeline enjoying the music ~
In front of her home ~
At my aunt Kona's home on Christmas day - lunch time - Ni Clarence and Kenneth prepare to dig in ~

Ah! all the food!! ~
Just check out the achu soup!!! Yummm!!!

My grandma gets ready to enjoy some achu!! ~

Ma Kona helps the children settle down to their food ~

Eva is all "Christmasy" ~
Ma Kona, Mado, and Aaron ~

My surprise birthday party at Ma Kona's. She and Aaron put together a great party for me and Aaron gave me a sweet card! Everyone also signed my other birthday card! ~
We all prepare to blow the candle ~

Uncle Clarence (Eva's brother) teaches me how to pop champagne - non-alcoholic of course:-)

Dancing time!! Keana and Aaron hit it off! ~

And later on that day, it was Gapsia's turn. He too had a birthday party ~
Grandma and I ~
Auntie Kona ~
Eva ~
At the New Year eve party. Dancing with Samgwa, Sangella and Ba Fombe ~

Ma Kona is a very good dancer, I tell you!
Auntie Janemary and her cute baby, Fred ~
Dancing with Ma Kona ~
Samgwa dancing with his...date?? (oh, my little cousin has grown up oooh!!!!:-) ~
Fashion parade, put together by our very own talented Cameroonian tailor, Ernest ~

These girls were really something!! It was a good show ~
And finally, the New Year party at the Fombes. So much to eat!!! ~

Sabina is having a good time!


Champagne-popping time!! ~

The children party away!! Leh and Jalla up front ~
Dearest Sigala...and Sharon looking away...and Feh below ~
Leh and Feh and their friend in the middle ~
Auntie Janemary and baby Fred ~

Sabina poses ~
I wore this dress to the Christmas party. It was a birthday gift from my sister-in-law, Doris.