Christmas Fun

We had a great Christmas with our families. Kate and AJ enjoyed making cookies for Santa, and they were proud of their work.Christmas Eve we read the Christmas story out of one of their children's Bibles and then read the Night Before Christmas. We set up their cookies and then tucked them into bed with Christmas songs, which they still ask for a week later. The morning was just the four of us. AJ with his Lightening McQueen car, which he likes to take to bed. Kate in her newest princess outfit. Cutie. Swinging outside on Christmas day without coats! (We love our new camera, we could have never gotten these pics before!) Santa (aka Grandaddy) came to visit at our house, and they loved it! They also love having their cousins around.

Go Mavs!

Mike and I went with our friends, Greg and Julie Hornok, to the Mavs game on Wednesday night when they beat the Suns 108-105. It was a really good game even though I enjoyed talking with Julie more. Mike gave me such a hard time because I wanted to get pics of the two of us and the four of us, mainly to document that we actually went out and did something without our kids. He said we looked like we'd never been to a game before. Well, I didn't care much, plus, I wanted to use my new camera again.

Great pic taken by a stranger. How do you like my Old School Mavs shirt? (Found it at a Garage Sale a few years ago)

Loving Christmas Time

There are many reasons to love the Christmas season, and today I experienced one. I went out to the mailbox and Glory Be! I opened it to find JUST Christmas cards. No bills, no credit card offers, no coupons, no other junk, just Christmas cards. A Huge smile broke over my face, think Grinch-style after his heart grows three times it's size.
Once again, made me thankful for our friends and family and being back in the States in time for Christmas.
As we remember the biggest blessing God has given us, let's also keep our eyes open for the little ones.

New Camera

Mike and I decided it was time to upgrade from our 5 year old 3.1 megapixel camera and got a Nikon for our Christmas present to each other. We got it the day of Kate and AJ's birthday, and I've been playing with it trying to figure it all out. So, here's some pics from the past few days with the new camera.

They're both into hats lately, and thank goodness we got two cowboy hats handed down from my sister, or we'd have even more scuffles than we do now!

And Hoods! One of their favorite games, get Daddy! AJ loves his Mack truck from the movie Cars. I need more pouting! AJ loves mom and dad's bed. The threesome back together on the teeter totter. The Sunday night dinner boys.

The Teacher?

Last night after putting Kate and AJ in their separate rooms for bed, we hear over the monitor that someone is up and about. After about a minute of silence we hear talking, and since our monitor is not too clear, we can't tell who is talking, so Mike goes up to regulate. Before opening the door to Kate's room which had a light shining under the door, he hears AJ saying to Kate, "This is the letter C. What letter is this?" Mike didn't hear any response from Kate, so he opened the door. AJ is sitting on the edge of Kate's bed with an ABC book open reading to her. So sweet, and yet so funny, because she was sound asleep. We figure he went in there, turned on her bedside light, got the book and decided he didn't care if she was awake because he'd heard kids can still learn while they're sleeping.

Happy Birthday Kate and AJ!

Kate and AJ turned 3 on Saturday, and we were able to have a family party that night. For months, Kate has been saying she wants a princess watch for her birthday. One day as Mike was going to work in China, she asked him why he had to leave. He told her, "So I can buy you a watch for your birthday." After that she thought that was the solitary reason he went to work. This is Kate after she finally got her princess watch. AJ's excitement over Cars(two of which he already had, but that didn't keep him from being excited). These hats are the same ones they've had each year since they turned one. They came with stickers that you change out each year. Sadly, three was the last number provided, but I will try to come up with cute ones for the upcoming years. Oh, how we love our kids! AJ's handlebar moustache and gangsta party hat. Kate in her new Tinkerbell costume. The Turtle Hat was rediscovered tonight, so they both got into the act.

We're Home!

Many of you know, but just announcing that we are home now! We were able to come home early. After about a week, we got our clocks set back to this time zone, which was great. Now, Mike and I are able to keep our eyes open past 8:30 and the kids aren't waking up at 4am.
We are getting somewhat settled, as settled as you can be in the Christmas season. We are all glad to be home again, and we pray that the lessons we learned from our short time in China will remain with us.
We are thankful for all of your prayers, emails, and calls during our time away.
More posts to come soon, since we just had Kate and AJ's 3rd birthday.

Sweet and Fun

We've had a good time lately, especially with the weather being nice and cool. This is just a few pics of Kate and AJ.

Being sweet at the park(I know, I know, I've got to find some more shoes for Kate, but don't let that distract you from how sweet it is).Riding a boat in the park. The "life jackets" were quite sketchy. Daddy reading them a book. Kate reaping the rewards of helping me make brownies.

Beijing and Xi'An Trip

My dad is visiting us right now, and last week for a few days, he and I went to Beijing and Xi'An(She-An). Mike so wisely decided it was best not to take the kids, so he graciously stayed with them. We were able to see some amazing sights, like Tianneman Square, The Forbidden City, the Great Wall, and the Terra Cotta Warriors. All of these things were incredibly telling of China's history, which is a long, varying one. I won't give you a history lesson, well, because I simply wouldn't get it all right, but I will show you some pictures.

Forbidden City: The Great Wall: Terra Cotta Warriors: Terra Cotta Warriors tourist trap: Hu Tong(close knit communities in Beijing): Summer Palace for Emperors: Xi'An Bell Tower and Drum Tower: Water Town near Shanghai called Zhujiajiao: