Sunday, December 28, 2008

Holiday Fun & Family Visits

Where did December go??

It went by in a blur of creating, baking, hugging, buying, wrapping, snuggling, driving and rushing around. We enjoyed making holiday cutouts with our in house bakery staff. We ended up making 8+ kinds of cookies that we shared and enjoyed throughout the month.


Uncle Bill & Aunt Janis made their annual visit, despite very inclement weather. We really enjoyed the time spent with them and had quite a game night. Candy Land anyone??




We recently purchased this very comfy leather couch. It's rounded (called a media sectional) and HUGE, so that the entire family of five and two other adults can sit on it comfortably. It has two hassocks that are on wheels and are rounded too, so that they can be turned around for additional seating and game playing. They also open for storage, which is an incredible feature for the organized minded individual like me. Eric likes that he can grab a hidden blanket without moving his feet, and he is still tying to ply me with ideas about refrigerated beer storage. :)


This year we took our family photo on the new couch and finally, thankfully, did not have to say "still waiting for our China girl". She is here and real and really happy about it.


On Christmas Eve we went to Grandma Marion & Grandpa Tom's. Both of Tom's children were there with us, Kate & Terry.


Megan took this picture of me and Mary Alice. She's pretty good with the camera!


After dinner, Matthew played the Xylophone at our church's Christmas Eve service:



Our Christmas Morning Tree

Our Christmas Morning Cinnamon Rolls




Megan's reaction to Christmas morning was very laid back and she made breakfast for herself before opening any presents!


We had lots of snow in December!


Here are Linda & Megan at the top of Mt. Everest.

Okay, it's just our local sledding hill, but it looks good, doesn't it.


After Christmas, we traveled to Pennsylvania to visit Eric's brother's family. The cousins had a great time together.


Here is the cookie man!!



Calling for Pizza....



Ian and Matthew made this Domino Structure. It didn't fall exactly the way they wanted, but it looks pretty cool.


And here is Megan's beloved Miss Elizabeth, which she pronounces "babah beth", who teaches her Kinderdance twice a week.



A major accomplishment of the month was the sending of a care package to Chaoyang, Megan's orphanage. I sent a detailed photo album with lots of pictures of Megan at home and from our brief visit with the orphanage staff in China, along with captions in Chinese, some candy and a letter telling them about her progress so far. I was lucky enough to find a woman at the local Chinese school who was willing to translate the letter and captions for me into Chinese. I tried to use Babel fish, but I had no idea if the translation was accurate or not and I did not want to risk it. I wanted to send them all kinds of outgrown clothing that we had gathered up for the children, but the post office said the cheapest way to send it would be $81 dollars!!! I opted for the smallest possible box and it was still $40..... because of the candy. Next time I will just send pictures. Maybe they will send me the e-mail address and I can send them that way.



Well, I am wondering who is still reading this blog...... Is it just my mom???? Please consider leaving me a comment if you are out there, just so I know...... :) and have a very Happy and Healthy New Year.

Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Geo Bee and Dancing Class

Last week, both Matthew and Mary Alice were in the Middle School National Geographic Geography Bee. Due to the spelling of their last names, they were seated next to each other. I guess Mary Alice was bugging Matthew...... She looks sweet though, doesn't she? Unfortunately, neither one of them won the Bee, although Matthew got into the final round. Last year, he did win and went to the finals in Albany, so it was a bit of a bitter pill for him to swallow. We are proud of both though, as even getting to participate is an honor for a select few.



Megan has started dancing in a Kinderdance program at her preschool, after class. She absolutely loves it. Here she is with Miss Jackie, her teacher. A very brief (but cute) video follows.



Thanksgiving 2008


We had a wonderful time on our annual Thanksgiving in Georgia visit. We always look forward to this weekend with excitement and anticipation of a fast and furious, intense time for connecting and catching up with each other. Marty and Cindy host us in their beautiful home. Their three adult children, my mom, my sister and her family and our family all stay with them. Luckily, their home is designed to accommodate the masses and we are all still speaking at the end of the weekend!

Here are some pictures of us on our way to Georgia:


Waiting for Grandma's plane to arrive:


Exhausted already? No, just naptime.



There were lots of hugs all around:











Oreo Cookie Turkeys!


Megan loved to "Cheers! with her Sparkling Apple Juice and special glass!!


And of course, hair dressing....


Fun and games


The annual Craft Project this year was Cardboard Frog Olympics


And lots of music making


Go Cindy!


Go Megan!










And general hanging out


Finally, the ride back to the airport. Good to have a shoulder to lean on....


And now for the laundry........