Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Christmas. Show all posts

Saturday, December 25, 2010

it's Christmas Time in the City

Merry Christmas!!
I have been MIA - 2010 has come and almost gone - it's been a busy year of many travels actually - all good of course, but busy. I've just posted a Photo Album I just completed quickly for my Dad's upcoming birthday - so take a peek at that below here for an overview of our 9 days in Hawaii last month. My camera was stolen at the end of our trip, so it was a rocky-emotional time coming back home without it... Jason has since replaced it, for which I am so grateful!

Anyway - here's an updated photo of my children for you... I was not on the ball this year with Christmas - really didn't do any baking, didn't organize a bake exchange, Christmas seemed to arrive while we were away in Hawaii thinking it is the middle of summer with what we were experiencing there - so much going on, I didn't get cards out this year or anything. So from our HOME to YOURS - Merry Christmas and thank you for your greetings that we've received so generously from so many of you!

I'll upload a few photos from this month to share with you:
Jason surprised the kids with a turtle ornament each like this, that he sneaked as souvineers from Maui - totally representation of our trip and super cute I think!I attended a "sharing class" with Sam and Gabi last week; the class was a parent-participation class to show what they are doing and enjoy it with themI assisted Elijah's class on a fieldtrip to a local grocery store where each child was given $10, which their grade had worked for by collecting the schools recycling, to buy groceries for the Food Bank - it was so awesome! The 3 boys in our group had fun choosing appropriate foods and seeing how it worked to dwindle the $10 down - then we went to the Food Bank to deliver the groceries; talk about a great experience!Last week Sam had a little concert in his preschool for Jason and I to attend during his last class before vacation...Sam sang his heart out and knew every single word; it was adorable!Then that night Elijah had his Primary Concert - this he had to wear red since he's in grade 2; he had a part in playing the Triangle for one of the songs they performedI also joined Elijah's class for a Craft Morning - in a group of 4 children and myself, we went to 6 stations doing a different craft at each one - again, so thrilled to be a part of that!Last Friday we drove into a nearby city and found 3 amazing light displays that we have never been to before - this one pictured below, included a free horse/carriage ride around the park, and free pony rides which were the highlight (we get asked sometimes if Sam and Gabi are twins - this picture kinda makes you believe they could be:)Sam wrote his name for the first time this week! Not in order, and one letter backwards, but hey, all on his own! Makes me so proud! Oh and this is his turtle; he's been drawing lots of turtles lately inspired by Hawaiian memories!My Girlfriend Pamela came to visit us a few days after arriving home on 'furlough' from Missions work... the kids just adore herAnd finally - I was feeling so guilty for not having a good Christmas photo to send out this year, so I snapped a few at least at the School before the concert - EJ wasn't into it very well probably because people were entering the building as we were there snapping photos, and I think he was thinking this was HIS night to shine so I should be taking his photo in his school; Gabi was soooo "on" and loving this photo shootElijah insisted on having a photo by himself - so here's my big boyMerry Christmas All - it's been a fun season full of memories and lots of visits!

Thursday, December 17, 2009

nativity set

I was reading back to last year's posts from around this time of year, and just love reading the 'journal' of how things went! Something I haven't posted this year is about Alexa and my trip down South again for Black Friday weekend! She took some pictures, so I should get them from her!
We had a blast and shopped even longer this time around!

One thing I picked up from Toys R Us, was this PlayMobil Nativity Set for the kids. I have always wanted one that they can play with safely and usually had my eye on the Little People Set - but when we spotted this one for $20, I got it once and for all.
I gave it to the kids on Monday evening - I thought I would work it into a daily "advent" countdown thing, but I didn't get to it --- and the countdown begins (or continues I guess) - only 8 days until Christmas!

Sunday, December 13, 2009

o tannenbaum

We went on the 7th to get our tree - put full snowsuits on kids due to the very cold wind we had been having...

annual "friends" Christmas Party

Year after year we have had a Christmas Party and Jason and I have hosted quite a few of them over the years. I never end up taking pictures, but this year I was sure to!
We always do a potluck dinner, usually appetizers galore, but this year I decided upon a Mexican Themed Dinner. I made two chicken enchilada dishes and rice... and others brought a Taco Salad, Bean-Avacado Dish, Mexican Spirals and Green Salad. It was a wonderful dinner! There was talk of having another theme next year and having 'best dressed couple' to go with the theme. I did have that in the invitation this year, that people could come dressed in their Mexico-best, and Aaron did! He was great with mustache painted on and heavy, authentic, large hat on his head! Thanks for your enthusiasm!
For dessert we pulled out a Chocolate Fondue Fountain that Jason's Cousins gave us (Georges and Micheline) - it worked out well with the assortment of dippers we had (cherries, pineapple, bananas, pretzels, cookies, cream puffs and more)
Here is Dana - and Jason, Steve and his new Bride, Jen (there were 3 Jen's here that night!) and then our tradition is to bring a 'white elephant' gift (something used, gag or re-gift) - we got some good stealing going on this year! Makes it more fun!
Here is Aaron with is painted on facial hair:and Sara picking a giftand Kurt opening a little teapot and teacup setand Jen opening this crazy fish that can actually swimNathan stole that as fast as he could!It was another wonderful evening of visiting!

I didn't get pictures of everyone! Sorry!
And we missed you out, Brian & Korinne, Paul & Rachel, Paul & Lisa! Next year!

Spirit of Christmas

On Friday December 4th, we dropped off Elijah at my Parent's so they could take him to basketball so that we could take Sam and Gabi to this event at TWU. We had a great time - facepaintingpetting zoomusical entertainmentoutside drama
And as crazy as we are, we picked up Elijah, stopped at home for snowpants (for warmth, not for snow) and headed to the Candlelight Parade in Mssn. It was a late night for the kids, but so fun!

Friday, December 04, 2009

The illustrations in this book are fantastic, using soft sculptures - not what you typically see that's for sure!

Thursday, December 03, 2009

great story

I pulled out our Christmas decoration totes and inside were most of our books that are Christmas-themed. I thought I might share some of them on here -Merry Christmas!

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Triple the Help Making Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

Last night I had invited 2 of Soobin's Korean Classmates to come over after school and for the evening. I borrowed High School Musical 1 and 2 from the library for them to watch and we found time to bake a batch of cookies together.and of course my boys had to be in on the action too*this Kitchen Aid was a gift for me at Christmas! I love it. We've baked a few times already (maybe not such a good thing to be baking too much though!) -- which is what I anticipated using it for. Apparently it's great for mashed potatoes, but I don't make those... so cookies it is. ;)

Thursday, January 01, 2009

Happy Birthday Jesus!

Well, it is one of our many traditions at Christmas to have a special treat for breakfast on Christmas Morning and have a little birthday party for Jesus. First we read the story of Christmas found in the Bible in Luke 2 (Amy and Fran, you can find this story in your Chinese Bibles) and then we sing Happy Birthday. This year I didn't plan ahead very well for this treat so we just had some of the goodies we have here for Christmas, worked just as well though.

Christmas Morning

After our Birthday Party, we started in on our Family's gift opening... Daddy opened a "wii" knock-off that I bought for a good Black Friday deal. we're not sure if it will be a keeper or not, but we'll give it a try!Akari and Rio got gifts too of courseGabriella quite enjoyed opening gifts toothe Discovery Toy Tangiball - love that vanilla-scented ball and so do the kids!Sammy concentrating hard to get open his Diego puzzleI got a Kitchen Aid Mixer, toaster oven that is presentable enough to leave on the counter and some other thingsA gift to Gabi from Aunt Lorraine
a train set finally for SammyElijah and Sammy got a little boom box for their bedroom that is also compatible with an iPod (guess that will be another purchase for another celebration)and then at the end we brought upstairs a very large package for Sammy and Gabi - a kitchen! From Aunt Suzan and Aunt Josie - thank you!off we went to my Family around 11:00 (that post to come too)