The Ritz

This was the expression Anna had through the whole evening (with only a pretty big smile at the start of Frosty the Snowman—although not long enough for me to capture it on film!).

Checking out the big Christmas tree.

Everyone swarmed over to check out Santa on the other side of the tree so it's kind of hard to see how many people are there; also, I brought the little camera for the video capability but am basically disgusted with the pictures. Oh well, Anna is enjoying re-living everything with the video so that makes it worth it, I suppose.

We went to the Christmas tree lighting at the Ritz tonight. There were carolers and a brass quartet (two trumpets & two french horns) singing and playing Christmas songs. Santa was there, too, but we came for the tree and the music. Anna seemed to really like it but was overwhelmed by it at the same time. When the carolers sang "Frosty the Snowman" she got really excited as this is the song she knows best. I'll post some pictures and maybe video tomorrow.

We will try to go to church on Christmas Eve for more Christmas music; I need to call around to the churches in town to find out where they are and what time their Christmas Eve services are (there are four or five Christian churches listed in Craig's company booklet of info on Doha).