Christmas Day in Chengdu!!

We flew back from Phuket on Christmas Eve so we got to spend Christmas Day here in Chengdu! It was nice to be in our home and make breakfast and open up presents. The kids enjoyed themselves and liked all their gifts. This year we got a shipment when we went home because we had a baby so I was able to buy things from the states to give them. Avery's favorite gift was the sock monkey. Cohen's was probably the dump truck, and Rylan loved everything. Rylan probably liked her make-up the best!! Maely enjoyed playing in her extrasaucer and loved to suck on her flamingo puppet. We walked to a restaurant for dinner! It was a good day. The next day, we went to this little park that has rides for the kids. The kids had fun riding the little roller coaster and train. Lastly, we ended the day, making chocolate chip cookies. Here are some pictures!

We go to Phuket for Christmas Holidays

During Christmas break, the girls get out of school for 3 weeks, so we decided to take a vacation to Phuket, Thailand for 7 days. We went Dec 17 through Dec 24. Even with 4 kids, it was fun to get away and hang by the beach and pool. We also enjoyed the delicious Pad Thai!! We have been to Phuket 3 times previous, but always go to a new beach each time. People probably wonder why we always go to the same area everytime and it is mainly because it is hard to get to other places with 4kids in toe. Thailand is relatively close to China and it is easily accessible. This hotel had a kids club as well as two waterslides! We had a blast going on the slides. It was especially fun for the kids to go with Mom because she went super fast!! We loved having races to see what team could get down the quickest!! The first day, the girls also met some other girls from Canada and wanted to hang with them either in Kids club or at the pool. They all had a good time together. One day we went to another beach because we heard a baby elephant comes out and walks the beach. She came out and the girls got to feed her. Cohen was excited and little scared at the same time. It was a neat experience!! Here are some pictures of our trip and please look at our web gallary for more. We will be heading back there again for Chinese New year and this time will go with some other friends from Chengdu. Enjoy!

We decorate cookies

During vacation it was on my list to make Christmas cookies and decorate them. However, it was hard to find the ingredients to make the cookies. So one day, the kids and I were walking around Chengdu and saw this fancy cake making place. I guess they are all the rage in the world. Anyway, while I was there. They had cookie kit where you buy the stuff and decorate the cookie. I thought we would try it. The children had fun decorating the cookies and eating the frosting. I think the frosting part was by far their favorite part. Cohen just put his face in the frosting a began licking like a dog. It was funny to watch.

Cohen in Boots

Kids are such a blessing from God and we are so fortunate to have them. Although there are days when we ask ourselves why all the chaos? Most of the times we are thankful for all that we have and we would not trade it for the world. I am sure when the last one leaves the house 18 years from now, we will wish for the chaos days. Cohen loves to think he is a big man and loves to wear his daddy's boots. I think I need to find him some here to wear, don't you think!!

We Decorate the Christmas Tree!!

As soon as Dad got home, we decorated the tree. The kids had such a good time decorating the tree. Here are some pictures of them. Maely even tried to help out. Here are some pictures of us and our little tree!!

Chris goes to London

Lately Chris has had alot more traveling this year than in the past. He has to go to Beijing more frequently and just recently he had to go to London. He was gone for 7 days and we sure did miss him. He says it was pretty and expensive. He did not get to much sightseeing but did take some pictures with his phone when he went out running. Maybe one day Chris and I can go tour there one day! He also brought back wonderful gifts for the whole family. The kids all got yummy chocolate and a toy that fit them. Avery got Wizard of Oz chapter book, Rylan got makeup, and Cohen got airplanes. They loved it all. Chris also brought back some Chanel perfume for me and a picture of London!! Here are two pictures he took with his phone. He also ate at this restuarant in London called the Texas Embassy (HaHa!)

QSI Christmas Show

The kids this year had their Christmas Show on Dec 3. Quite early but they get out on Dec 10 for holidays. This year the theme was Happy Holidays to include celebrating Santa, Jesus, Hanukkah, and African holiday. All the kids wore QSI shirts and they sang mostly in a group setting. Avery's class however did a cool rap song that was about "wrapping Christmas gifts" and how is better to give than to get. She wore sunglasses, some gold jewels around her neck, as well as wore her hat sideways. It was cute. Rylan's class did not have an individual song, but she sang alot with the group. They are such good singers!! Here are some pictures!! Chris was not able to come because he was in London, so I got a babysitter to watch Cohen and I took all the girls. We also said goodbye to our friends who flew out the next day to move back to the states. This part of expat living is not fun!!

Aubrey's BIble study

When we moved here in 2008, I had the opportunity to meet a remarkable woman. Her and her family were from Michigan and had already been here for 1 year. She had 2 daughters and a son like us. When I met her, I knew we would be friends. Her oldest daughter was good friends with Avery. She invited me to a bible study. Every since then we have been doing one every semester and it has truly been my life line here in Chengdu. Every year we have had different people in the study but it has been great. This semester was our last one with Sarah (Her family is moving back to Michigan in Dec). Here is a picture of us as well as all the ladies in the bible study. Sarah if you are ready this, you will be dearly missed!!

Annual Christmas Bazaar

Every year, the women's club of Chengdu does a charity event called the Christmas Bazaar. This year I am in charge of recruiting volunteers. The event went great. I am not sure how much money we made but I know it was more than last year and last year we made more than 21,000 us dollars!! The girls even performed with all the international schools. They sang "A Song of Peace" It is a beautiful song especially with the state the world is in!! I wish I could show it to you but unfortunately there is problem with me uploading videos. Here is some pictures. I also bought each of the kids an homemade snow cap made by one of my friends. Cohen picked his out himself and loves to wear it!!

Daddy goes to get fruit with the young ones

Sometimes when Daddy comes home from work, Cohen likes to go out and get some fruit. This time Maely went with them. Maely in the Baby bjorn and Cohen in the backpack!! I thought it was a cute picture with both of the little ones with Chris. He is such a good dad!! I hope all is well with everyone!!

We celebrate Thanksgiving at our House!!!

The Men of the party pose for a picture (Maely wanted to be in the pic too!)

Cohen and his friends dig into the food.

My friend Lori holding Maely. (hasn't Maely gotten big?)

The girls smile for the picture!

The women of the party take a picture!! (there might be a boy in the pic)

Last year was the first Thanksgiving we spent in China and it really makes me miss home. I guess Christmas and Thanksgiving are so close together that when the festivities start, you really start to miss home. This year, our sweet friends were moving back home so we decided to host Thanksgiving at our house to celebrate thankfulness as well as our friends, The Schillers. We had 13 adults and 19 children so our place was packed, but we had a blast. Everyone brought two side dishes and I bought two turkeys already cooked and delivered. It cost alot to get a turkey but it was well worth it! We felt a glimpse of what it would be like at home. I even kept the kids out of school for the day to celebrate!! It was a good time. Here are some pictures of our time together. Enjoy!! As you can see the girls out way the boys!!

The Marine Ball

When you live overseas, you have more opportunities to go to formal parties. At least we never went any in the states except when I was in high school. Every year, the Marines at a consulate or embassy or for the matter are a Marine have a Marine Ball to honor the birth of the Marines. Anyone is invited to go as long as you buy a ticket! We decided it would be fun to get out and socialize with the expat commnunity as well as get dressed up! I had a dress made that turned out good. It was fun. Here are some pictures. I hope you enjoy!

We get our sea shipment from the states!!!

Since we had another addition in our family, our company provided for sea shipment for us to bring back to China since we would need clothes, bedding, etc for our little one. I wanted to put tons of food in there as well as formula and medicines. However, when it came time to send it the company said no food, formula, or medicines. I was so upset! I snuck some anyway. I mostly put in clothes for the kids and toys for Christmas!! Cohen was home when the shipment came and he was so excited! He found his scooter and supermans pajamas and immediately wanted to put them on. Here is a picture of him riding around in our house!! It amazes me how he has never heard of superman but knows he is a super hero. He yells, "SUPERMAT" (superman) and runs around the house! It is so fun!!

Early Years Carnival at Eton House

Periodically the international schools host a event at their school. In the past it has been competitions between the schools like track meet or swim meet. This time it was a carnival for the little kids ages 2 to 8 years. Avery and Rylan went with their school and I took Cohen and Maely with me so Cohen could play and see the girls. It was fun! Minnie and Mickey Mouse were there (although they did not look quite like the real thing). They had games, cotton candy, and a playground. Here are some pictures. It was fun to get out with Cohen and see him run around with other kids. They do not have much activities for his age in China, so we hang at the house alot. I hope you enjoy!!