a few traditions...

I love traditions. Somehow, they make a family unique. Each person feels cherished & like they belong. Traditions also have deep meaning and history, which helps strengthen our bonds and identity as a family. In our 7+ years of marriage - its been fun to develop new traditions, and weave old ones into the fabric of our life.

For example: We fill our kids' stockings to the brim. AND there is always a yummy piece of fruit in the toe.

We try to make a new ornament each year, with the girls in mind!
We bake a dessert & sing "Happy Birthday!"
We buy a tree that's the same height as Asia.
We read the Christmas story aloud.
Baking Norwegian Kringla with my mom.
We give a gift as a family, choosing a simpler Christmas for others' sake.
Newest one: Making a family home video!

I wonder what new traditions will arise as the girls come up with new ideas??

a great gift!!

We are delighted to report that we were able to pick up our Chinese Visa's TODAY in SF!! After 5 months of perseverance & waiting - we finally get to go back home!! We celebrated by spending the day in SF together (just the 2 of us) - and even meandering thru China town!

We window shopped in the Haight/Ashbury district, ate Gyros, Hummous & Dolmas for lunch, and drank Mango Black tea in China town. It was our perfect gift! Thanks for all the encouragement along the way!

This lunch/food picture is mostly for my sister Krissy - even tho you don't eat meat/animal products, or much cooked food, know that we still crave these delicacies from your motherland.

China town was bustling with people - we felt right at home!!

Now we just need cheap tickets!

Christmas Lights Train

Thanks Nana & Poppa for treating our whole family to a wonderful night aboard the Holiday Lights Train!! The train chugged its way thru Santa Cruz, as we sipped hot cider, sang carols and met another Santa impostor. Our girls continue to be unimpressed with the fake beard & red stuffed suit, tho Sydney was almost convinced. When we got home - she said her favorite part of the night was eating her candy cane from "Joseph" - I am not joking!!

We also loved to share the night with great friends too. The Namba clan rode the rails with us, and the kiddo's had fun together. Our girls + their boys were born within weeks/months of each other. And now - they will all be world travelers too!

We love you guys! ....and we hope our paths cross often, in many new locations.

early Christmas with Poppy!

Poppy is traveling over the holidays, so we celebrated Christmas with him a bit early - and shared yummy soup for lunch & exchanged gifts too. The girls loved playing and spending time with their Poppy. We gave him a frame with pictures of him adjusting their backs, which he loved! He's an amazing chiropractor, ya know!

We also made a trip over the hill to see Christmas In The Park, in downtown San Jose. The kids loved getting bundled up, running to each exhibit and sipping hot cocoa. They were too nervous to visit "Santa" and Asia made sure to tell the girls "he's not real!" They also loved the brightly lit trees and ice skating rink.



Here was their favorite display:

Christmas caroling debut for Asia!

Asia practiced her little Christmas carol to sing before our community of friends, and she was fabulous! She sang 3 different times - and grew more excited each time to sing her heart out. The 3rd performance: she even did her own hand motions (Nancy, Sarah & Paul would be proud). Hearing children sing just melts my heart. My heart was overflowing with pride and joy! If you'd like a video copy of any of the performances, let me know!

inspiration

We never planned on being in America this long... Our plan was to leave October 25th! Two months have passed, and we continue to find ourselves adjusting the Plan. We are seizing each day and enjoying each moment that we have in this beautiful place, and with our dear pals.

Now that Christmas is quickly approaching, I wanted to continue our tradition of opening stockings on Christmas Eve....but our stockings are back in China!! So with a little inspiration from Laura & Jill, leftover felt & scraps from mom - this is what will hold our Christmas goodies while in America. Each owl is different in size & eye color, depending on each kiddo. I can't wait to fill them up!

These were so fun to make, and were actually quite simple & relaxing. Best of all, the girls love them!

working with his hands....

Justin got a temporary job last week - landscaping and helping a friend with his yard. It was only 4 days, but Justin really looked forward to getting outside, being dirty and working with his hands. It's nice to see some completion to your work, unlike the messy job of working with people. We are such works-in-progress, and require continual Hands-on attention!!

Monterey Bay Aquarium

Thanks to free guest passes to the Aquarium - we enjoyed a visit to see the otters, jellyfish, sharks & manta rays in Monterey, along with Jamma-banana! The girls ran to each exhibit, asking questions and thrilled with each new discovery. Asia loved the huge Sunfish & the Hammerhead Sharks, while Eden loved the Otters and the "Nemo" Clown Fish. Sydney enjoyed the slides and holding a crab - she was so brave!!

Here, the girls are watching the otters be fed, and share their skills!

Gazing at Dory, Gil and Nemo.

Three generations of girls...having fun in Monterey!