Looking Back at Christmas and New Years!

WARNING: LOTS OF PICS AHEAD! (I'm putting 'em all on at once too, so be sure to look at older posts).

Okay, my chronology is sort of backwards but I wanted to go back and share a few Christmas pictures. We had a fun Christmas. My sisters and niece came and all attention was on the kids. They really went all out and spoiled the kids rotten! Between Abraham’s birthday, the Christmas goodies, and then Annabelle’s birthday, they think opening presents is the new “norm”. We’re trying to explain otherwise! Anyway, we made yummy food, played games, reminisced, and enjoyed watching the kids get into Christmas. We agreed that the adults wouldn’t buy any presents for each other, but instead just focus on the kids. The kids definitely made out and none of us missed a thing. There is nothing more fun than watching excited kids rip into presents and then play with them. I’m so glad the girls could come for Christmas!

Games, games, and more games on Christmas eve. Christmas Bingo!

Shaleen got the kids finger paints and they loved it! This is the "mild" painting, as opposed to the "wild painting" seen below.

We had carolers on Christmas eve as well. The missionaries and some friends from our Chinese branch sang us carols in Mandarin. So beautiful!

Mei Mei's first Barbie. From Auntie Barbie :)

Alexander is sort of dazed and confused here, and ready for a nap.

There's the real Alex! Laughing with Baba. Truly a Daddy's boy, this kid!

GO FOR IT!!

This was fun. We told a condensed version of the Christmas story and the kids arranged the Nativity scene as we told it. Annabelle is the expert on Mary and here she is instructing Abraham to be very careful with baby Jesus "cause he's very, very breakable".

Shaleen is being attacked by parrots and flamingos!

Baby Alexander takes his new ride out for a test drive!

William wants Abraham to be very clear that his sweatshirt is from BYU!

Chrissy and I enjoying the view of San Fran on a beautiful day.

NEW YEARS DAY

We love New Years. Last January 1, we took BART (the train to the city) into San Francisco. We walked around China town, the wharf, and rode the trolley cars all over the city. This year, we drove to Monterray Bay and visited the aquarium. The kids had so much fun seeing the sharks and sea otters. We also visited the Discovery Children's Museum in San Jose, the day before. William took his vacation time during that week so we got to spend lots of time with Baba and really enjoyed all our little mini-trips. Happy New Year!

Our future scientist---conducting experiments with light.

C

Alexander is just a happy, happy kid!

More experiments from a budding young scientiest.

You can't see it here, but Will and the kids are in awe of the sharks.

Trying to catch a glimpse of the sea otters.

And that's it! All those pics at once is the result of getting behind on my posts. Too much happened in a short amount of time. Our holidays were peaceful, though, and fun. We hope yours were too!