We had these friends from church over for some food and games on New Years Eve. We ate a lot and laughed a lot!!
Superbrand Mall ... Dec 26, 2011
The day after Christmas we went to our favorite restaurant in Shanghai... Din Tai Fung. The best, melt-in-your-nouth dumplings in the world. The kids were dressed in their "Aunt Jaki" sweaters and new purses that Dad bought them in Thailand.
Christmas ... December 25, 2011
This was our first Christmas in our new house in China. We were grateful our shipment got here in November so we had all of our same Christmas decorations and things to help the holiday feel just right. As much as we loved being in Thailand, it didn't feel like Christmas and we missed that.
A lot of excitement trying to figure out whose present was whose.
Sophie wasn't sure what was going on, but she was happy to join in on the fun!
Sophie's panda from Santa.
Sophie was pleased that Santa left a few bites of his Christmas cookies behind.
YAY!!! More super heroes!!!
Sweaters and scarf from Aunt Jaki.... she makes Christmas so much fun!!!
Katie loves Van Gogh and I was able to find a good oil painting copy on Painters Street in Shanghai.
Grandma always comes through with fabulous American Girl presents!
Ryan had asked for light sabers. He got two, and he also got a Darth Vader mask.
Santa brought iTouches for Katie and Ashley this year.
Ryan got a train set.
I got Aaron a painting of Christ that he had been wanting.
This is supposed to be at the top of the page... it is the kids anxiously awaiting coming downstairs.
Ryan opening Aunt Jaki's sweater.
Ashley in Aunt Jaki's sweater!
Christmas Eve ... December 24, 2011
We arrived home from our trip to Thailand on the morning of Christmas Eve. We really love to be in our own house for Christmas, so we were glad we planned our trip for the week before Christmas and could be home to celebrate and wait for Santa!
We wanted to eat all of our traditional Christmas Eve and Christmas morning favorites, so we headed out early to get some shopping done. We couldn't find clams anywhere to make Clam Chowder, so I decided to be brave and try to and cook fresh clams.... it couldn't have been easier. We were able to find everything else we needed (thanks to import stores like City Shop), and the rest of my day was spend taking the braids out of Katie and Ashley's hair. It took 3 HOURS to take them out. And check out their afros!
Having a little Christmas Eve Devotional
Waiting to open their Christmas Eve Present.... wonder what it will be this year???
Surprise!!! Pajamas again!!
This is the best we could do for a Christmas Eve pic with everyone in their new pajamas. Soph was ready for bed!
That is some serious crimped hair!!!
Phuket, Thailand (Day 3) ... December 23, 2011
Our third day in Phuket was an adventure. We signed the girls up for trapeze class, which was awesome, til it started raining and they had to cut it short. They both got a turn, but not as many as they should have, and it was our last chance to do it:(
We went to the southern part of Phuket for an Elephant Trek through the jungle. It was awesome, but scary at the same time. The kids also got a chance to feed some of the baby elephants a basket of fruit, which both they and the elephants enjoyed!!!
More from the Elephant Trek
Yes, that is a live iguana the girls are holding.
Our flight didn't leave until 1AM on Christmas Eve. The kids were exhausted after a long day. We couldn't check in to our flight until 11 AM, and we were really lucky to find these seats for the girls to fall asleep on. Ryan and Sophie slept in the double stroller. It was interesting trying to get 4 sleeping kids to stand in line with us as we tried to check in and fight the Chinese people in line with us from cutting in front of us (lining up is not their strong suit). Then going through security was also a small challenge, but we made it and flew into Shanghai at 7 AM on Christmas Eve. Great trip, but we were glad to be back to celebrate Christmas in our own home!
These two had it the easiest.
Katie couldn't stand in line anymore, so she lay down on the floor and we got her up when the Chinese started to get too pushy!
I had to lay Ashley over our luggage cart because I just couldn't hold her anymore.
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