It's Christmas morning here in Hue, Vietnam and over the last few days, Brendan and I have realized one thing. For us, Christmas is not Christmas without family.

Christmas is surprisingly everywhere around us here in SE Asia. Storefronts and guesthouses are decorated, there are lights all around the streets, all the restaurants are playing Christmas tunes, we heard Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas" coming out of a bar last night (I made Brendan stand and wait until the whole song was over while I danced around and sang) and we even saw three or four Santas wondering around town spreading Christmas cheer. But, it still doesn't feel like Christmas.

Because for us, Christmas is about family. It's about putting the angel on top of the tree, or snow shoeing out to cut one down. It's about Christmas Eve lasagna and prime rib. It's about sleeping in the same room with your sisters to wait for Santa or waking up with your brother to catch the first lift of the day. It's about the excitement of having someone open your gift and about trying your best (and failing) to hide your expression when you open something that misses the mark ;). It's about laughing until you cry and hearing stories you've heard a hundred times before. And it's about simply being together with the people you love most.

We spent some time this morning just looking through the blog and talking about all of the amazing experiences we've had this year and can't believe this is our life right now. What a different year it's been. We are so lucky to be doing what we're doing. And to be doing it together. But, we miss our families and our friends and just wanted to say that today is not the same without you.

We love you. Merry Christmas.