Twas the night before Christmas...Noche Buena

And all through the house; not a person was resting, not even a mouse.
The silver stockings are hung by the bookcase, trimmed with white lace.
Picture children stares, waiting for Papa's call about a Santa that cares.

Noche Buena, is a Puerto Rican traditional night of festivities, anticipating our Lord's birth and Christmas morning. True stories are told of the star of Bethlehem leading a caravan of Wise Men to worship the Christ child.
Parandas (caroling) from house to house, de casa a casa singing for refreshments.
Also the traditional 'pasteles' (pork filled dumpling boiled in green leaves) is served you gotta be there, they're delicious.

Christmas Eve, I stayed with our son, daugther-in-love and grandsons. I cooked a traditional dish of arroz con gandules (rice w/green peas), my son Joseph loves this meal, it reminds him of his Wello's love of cooking.
We watched the video 'Polar Express' together with the kids the animation was great.
It was a quiet and peaceful night.Their neighbor John brought gifts and good wishes.

All of a sudden, we hear carolers singing and the mystery of the twelve-days of Christmas treats was solved. Thank-you cookies were given to the 'secret family' as they sang carols to Joe & Becky and the boys. That night the boys put carrots out for Rudolph, Isaac our dog jumped up to eat them and Davey yelled " NO!!".
Off to bed for their traditional 'Twas the night before Christmas' reading from Papa.

Merry Christmas & to all a Good Night, Nana Ana.

It was a good night, Una noche buena...Thank you, God