Weekend updates

The scene that greeted us...
The view from the living room looking down onto the river
Dinner is served
Another beautiful tree to admire
The larger than life polar bear...what a ride!
The whole family at the local, favorite restaurant
Whew! What a busy weekend! We went down South to visit my maternal extended family and had a great time. My uncle always knows how to co-host a wonderful party, and this time was no different! The house, which is beautiful on a regular, boring, ordinary day, was dressed up and shining just like the gorgeous tree in the living room. This year the decorations were all about bears--big ones, small ones, brown ones, polar ones and even flying ones (angel bears that is). Literally a child's wonderland. The Chinese Noodle had a wonderful time playing with her cousin and exploring all of those fun bears. I'm sure the highlight of her evening was riding around on the polar bear! What fun. As an FYI, my uncle attached the bear to a cabinet door that had 4 casters under it and then attached the cord. J and I thoroughly enjoyed catching up with everyone while she was entertained (and entertaining).

The next day we all sat around after breakfast talking and laughing. Someone finally realized that it was lunchtime, so before everyone headed back on the road, we went down to a local favorite restaurant, that holds a special place in our family's heart, and had something to eat.

I have to say that the C.N. did a great job the whole weekend. She was a trooper driving in the car for the 3.5+ hours, was very well behaved all weekend and especially through the Christmas dinner eating a whole variety of things and for the most part looked at all of the beautiful things with her eyes rather than with her hands (no easy feat since there were so many interesting things to explore). There was one small mishap with room spray...but we were assured that it really was fine!

Next stop--New Year's Eve!

What a holly, jolly Christmas!

Claire helping Papa open gifts

Meeting my new cousin

Thanks Santa!

Pre-breakfast snack to help me keep up my energy.

Waiting, waiting, waiting is so hard to do!!

Daddy and his beautiful princess

All I want for Christmas is you!

Christmas tea

Christmas Eve festivities with Lollie and Papa

Ho Ho Ho...what a holly, jolly Christmas 2008 turned out to be! We went over to Lollie and Papa's house for Christmas Eve tea and then headed to 5:00 church. Once we got home, we read a few Christmas stories and ended with a child's version of the Christmas story from the book of Luke. Since the Chinese Noodle had decided not to take a nap earlier in the day, she went down pretty quickly, after of course setting out cookies and milk for Santa.

After waking up bright and early, opening presents (the big gift was the trike from Santa) and eating breakfast, we headed out West to visit Grandma and Grandpa and all the aunts, uncles and cousins. We stayed there most of the afternoon before heading back to town and stopping to exchange gifts with Lollie and Papa. We made it back home, had a light dinner, bath and then collapsed into bed.

This weekend we head down South for a visit with my extended family. We'll see how the Chinese Noodle does sitting in the car for 3.5 hours...My brother and sister-in-law come in on Sunday, so the festivities will continue throughout the weekend and into next week! Don't you just love this time of year?

Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!!

AWAA get together

Look how big we've gotten (and how our hair has grown!!)

A few days ago the Chinese Noodle and I met up with another AWAA family who traveled to China with us. They live about an hour away and were coming to our neck of the woods to pick up a relative at the airport. We caught up over breakfast at Bob Evan's, marveled at how much bigger our daughters have gotten in just 4 months, and traded stories. It was a wonderful chance to reconnect and definitely a Christmas blessing to see what a little bit of love can do for a child. Praise the Lord that these little girls will be experiencing a different Christmas this year than they did last year!!!

The Chinese Noodle turns 2!!

Lollie, Papa, Grandma and Grandpa all came over to celebrate with the Chinese Noodle on her 2nd birthday. What a great evening we had. She got some fun gifts and an adorable outfit made by a family friend, Mrs. D. Our mantle is now complete (at least for the time being) since one of the C.N.'s presents was her stocking. It looked rather empty only having 2 hanging up there.

What birthday party is complete without pizza, birthday cake and ice cream? Certainly not the Chinese Noodle's, so that was the menu. Since our little one is so interested in dogs (from far away, in books, in stores, etc. but NOT up close in real life) I decided to try my hand at cake decorating and make her a dog cake. J. has fond memories growing up of always having these elaborately shaped and decorated birthday cakes made by a neighbor lady. I wanted to continue on that tradition too. The day before her party I baked, created and iced...let me tell ya', I have a new appreciation for professional cake decorators! It was fun none-the-less and I would definitely do it again.

While it was such an enjoyable day, a part of me was saddened thinking that somewhere on the other side of the world, a woman in China was mourning for the loss of her daughter. The sacrifice of the Chinese Noodle's birth mother was certainly our blessing. I hope that somehow she knows that the C.N. is loved beyond words.

Thankful Thursday

Will they notice I've gotten into the address labels again?

I wonder if Daddy will realize there's a label attached to his shoe........


The Chinese Noodle has developed a fondness for address return labels. We keep them in a drawer in the kitchen where she is able to reach them and often when I am cooking, I'll look over and see her digging around for some. Since I just finished Christmas cards, there were even more out and available. Is it any wonder that she's been sticking them onto anything she can get her hands on (including herself)?! So...for this Thankful Thursday post, I am thankful that I have an inquisitive toddler who finds enjoyment out of the simplest of things!

Newest addition to the (extended) family and birthday wishes

Congratulations go out to J's brother and his wife on the arrival of their son this morning. The little guy weighed in at 6 lbs 7 oz and is 21 inches long. 100% boy, 100% healthy!! He joins his 4 brothers to complete their family. The Chinese Noodle will have a new playmate to pal around with at Grandma and Grandpa's house. How fun!

I also wanted to wish my dear friend, and former co-teacher, a happy birthday. We taught together for many years in a self-contained classroom for children with Autism. Let me tell ya, life was never dull...crazy, amazing, frustrating, inspiring, funny--yes. Dull--never. I learned so much from her and am blessed to have had her as a mentor. Thanks for the memories and a very happy b-day to you CS!!