Monday, December 26, 2011
Sunday, December 25, 2011
Christmas Eve and Day
We're all set up and ready for the morning!
Doll clothes. Lots and lots of doll clothes. Do I really need to comment more?
My brothers got me a new football! They're the best brothers in the whole wide world!
For the past three and a half years, the old one has been tossed around our complex, campus, and the mountains. It's ready for retirement. Enter the reinforced super-galactic orange missile.
Doll clothes. Lots and lots of doll clothes. Do I really need to comment more?
My brothers got me a new football! They're the best brothers in the whole wide world!
For the past three and a half years, the old one has been tossed around our complex, campus, and the mountains. It's ready for retirement. Enter the reinforced super-galactic orange missile.
Friday, December 23, 2011
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Wednesday, December 21, 2011
European Grapefruit
This is our family's new favorite fruit which locals and we call 'you zi.' We've seen some that have a sticker on them that says 'European grapefruit.' It's very much like grapefruit as we're used to, but it is significantly sweeter.
We like it so much we had to feature it in its own post.
We like it so much we had to feature it in its own post.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Kids Christmas Party
Lia had the idea to invite some of the girls from our apartment complex to our house for a Christmas party. A few days before the party, the girls and I went around our complex inviting friends. Some we didn't know where they lived so we had to ask our little friends, "Do you know where so-and-so lives?" They always knew.
One girl - from a Muslim family - was a little leader. She was very thoughtful about who to invite and confidently led us to the homes of other friends. Another girl - from a Mongolian family - provided the enthusiasm as we went to others' homes. As we went from home to home, the former girl walked deliberately, and the latter girl skipped and twirled. It was fun to see their unique personalities.
The Mongolian girl accompanied us back to our home and said with huge eyes, "I can see your Christmas tree from my house. It's so beautiful! Can I see it now?!" I replied, "No, sorry, you'll have to wait for the party." "Oh, but I don't want to wait!"
We were encouraged by our invitation efforts, but we had no idea how many - if any - girls would show up. So we were delighted when seven little girls came to our door. They were all crazy cute.
They brought snacks, fruit and a stuffed Santa as a gift. They were very clear when they told us these things were from all of them. So kind. A few girls brought ornaments and immediately asked, "Can we hang these on the Christmas tree?!" After saying yes, they ran to the tree with big smiles.
We started with a Christmas tree craft that everyone totally got into. Glue got everywhere so next time we might choose a craft that doesn't require glue. Here are some pictures of the craft action.
Below is our little leader friend.
Below is our little enthusiastic friend.
We then played a game with a gift wrapped multiple times. As the ten of them sat in a circle and music played, they passed the gift until the music stopped. The girl holding the gift was able to unwrap one layer. The laughter and squeals were infectious. As the game progressed, their circle got smaller and smaller so we had to tell them to spread out a bit. Thankfully, the gift was wrapped seven times, and with Lori controlling the music, she was able to have each of our guests unwrap a layer. They had a blast. The final gift was a colorful pencil for each of them.
We also looked at a book together about the Christmas story. They first huddled around the book on the floor.
Some couldn't see well so we then held up the book.
Love this below picture.
It was a tremendously fun evening.
Below are the girls with the stuffed Santa. Note the "Happy Christmas" on his hat. So great.
A couple days later, we printed a bunch of pictures from the party - including the above, and then gave them to our little friends as 'thank yous' for coming. The friends - and their parents - really liked getting the pictures.
One girl - from a Muslim family - was a little leader. She was very thoughtful about who to invite and confidently led us to the homes of other friends. Another girl - from a Mongolian family - provided the enthusiasm as we went to others' homes. As we went from home to home, the former girl walked deliberately, and the latter girl skipped and twirled. It was fun to see their unique personalities.
The Mongolian girl accompanied us back to our home and said with huge eyes, "I can see your Christmas tree from my house. It's so beautiful! Can I see it now?!" I replied, "No, sorry, you'll have to wait for the party." "Oh, but I don't want to wait!"
We were encouraged by our invitation efforts, but we had no idea how many - if any - girls would show up. So we were delighted when seven little girls came to our door. They were all crazy cute.
They brought snacks, fruit and a stuffed Santa as a gift. They were very clear when they told us these things were from all of them. So kind. A few girls brought ornaments and immediately asked, "Can we hang these on the Christmas tree?!" After saying yes, they ran to the tree with big smiles.
We started with a Christmas tree craft that everyone totally got into. Glue got everywhere so next time we might choose a craft that doesn't require glue. Here are some pictures of the craft action.
Below is our little leader friend.
Below is our little enthusiastic friend.
We then played a game with a gift wrapped multiple times. As the ten of them sat in a circle and music played, they passed the gift until the music stopped. The girl holding the gift was able to unwrap one layer. The laughter and squeals were infectious. As the game progressed, their circle got smaller and smaller so we had to tell them to spread out a bit. Thankfully, the gift was wrapped seven times, and with Lori controlling the music, she was able to have each of our guests unwrap a layer. They had a blast. The final gift was a colorful pencil for each of them.
We also looked at a book together about the Christmas story. They first huddled around the book on the floor.
Some couldn't see well so we then held up the book.
Love this below picture.
It was a tremendously fun evening.
Below are the girls with the stuffed Santa. Note the "Happy Christmas" on his hat. So great.
A couple days later, we printed a bunch of pictures from the party - including the above, and then gave them to our little friends as 'thank yous' for coming. The friends - and their parents - really liked getting the pictures.
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Meg's Big Loss
It had been loose for weeks. This morning, much to Meg's delight, it was finally time for Dad to take things into his own hands ... literally.
Pre-yank
Post-yank
Pre-yank
Post-yank
Saturday, December 10, 2011
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