Noche Buena

Karl served his mission in Monterrey, Mexico.  One of his companions, Hector Lugo, now lives in one of the areas where they both served, a city called Saltillo.  They were companions for seven months while Karl served as the financial secretary, and they have remained friends, corresponding occasionally.  When Hector learned that we were going to be in Mexico all year, he invited us to spend Christmas with his family.  So on the evening of December 23rd, we boarded an all-night bus to Monterrey.  We then transferred to another bus and arrived in Saltillo about 15 hours after leaving Puebla.  We have decided that overnight buses are definitely the way to go when traveling with children.  While we can't say we slept that well, it was so nice to have our over-active two year old asleep for the majority of the time.

We arrived in Saltillo on the 24th of December, so we got to help with preparations for the Noche Buena dinner, which is much like our Thanksgiving dinner with traditional dishes.  The Lugos injected their turkey with orange soda, and it was really delicious.  Other traditional dishes include a hamburger-based stuffing, fruit salad, spaghetti with a white sauce, ponche, and lots of desserts.  We made our traditional Christmas cinnamon rolls to add to the feast. 

Noche Buena began with a Christmas program.  Hector and his wife, Dina, have four children:  Hector, 12, Carlos, 11, Lilian, 10, and Iris, 9.  They all play piano.  So the Christmas story was read with songs interjected throughout it, and the four Lugo children and Elena switched off playing the piano for the hymns.  Sometimes everyone sang, and sometimes there was a duet.  Karl and Hector sang a duet and sounded fantastic.  Hector's sister and her two children were also there.  After the program, presents were opened.  Lastly we had the big dinner at about 10:30pm.  Karl says some people wait until midnight to eat.  It's traditionally a very late-evening meal.  The only thing that really happens on Christmas day is that gifts from Santa have arrived.  We were up until about 2am.  Joseph and Daniel fell asleep before dinner and the other kids headed to bed shortly after dinner, so they weren't up quite as late.

Unfortunately, we only brought Stephen's camera with us to Saltillo, and then discovered when we got there that the flash was no longer working.  The lighting was off in all our pictures - even outdoor ones, and then the camera gave out completely.  So the following pictures aren't the best, but they are all we have.

Hector and Hector (jr) in back, Carlos, and Hector's sister

Dina, Hector's nephew and niece, and Iris

Hector and his sister sing a duet.  Hector (jr) is playing the piano.