Holidays

we had a lot of fun over the holidays. We spent Christmas here at home. Chris took a couple of weeks off and we had a lot of fun doing things around Shanghai. We went to the aquarium, the science museum, fundazzle playground, superbrand mall, and went ice skating several times.

Christmas Eve we had some friends over for dinner and then all the kids did the Nativity. Christmas morning we found out that Santa even comes to China! We opened presents and then had a huge breakfast. We hung out the rest of the day in our Pajamas playing with the kids toys and just thoroughly enjoying the day. That night we had our traditional candle light dinner. (it's just left overs made special)

The next day we celebrated Gabe's 7th birthday. We went out to lunch and then he opened his presents. That night we went to a Christmas party with several families from our church and Gabe got to have everyone sing to him and then have his birthday cake. I think he really enjoyed getting to open more presents the day after Christmas, but better yet, he was the only one who got to do that.

Anna got a doll from Santa this year. I was trying to help her find a name for her doll by giving her some suggestions like Sally or Susan. When I said the name Susan she perked up and said, Oh! like Susan from Monsters Vs Aliens?" I said, "Yes, do you want to name her Susan?" She paused for a moment and the happily replied, "No..... Derek" (as in Susan's lame boyfriend from the movie) So now we have a baby doll in our house named Derek.

Sara has become quite the Character these days. The other day Gabe was saying family prayer and blessing lots of things. I leaned over and whispered to him to remember to thank also. He stuttered for a moment saying, "We thank thee for.......... we thank thee for.........we thank thee for..... and by this time Sara had had enough. She blurted out loud, "FOR DINNER!" Needless to say we ended the prayer because everyone was laughing so hard and that was that.

Another funny Sara comment was when Chris asked Sara what her favorite thing in the world was. She thought for a second and then confidently said, "ME!"

I asked her a while ago where she lived before coming to live with mommy and daddy and without hesitation she said, "at the hotel."

She has really enjoyed getting into everyone's toys and then claiming them as hers this holiday.


New Years Eve we brought in the new year with a wild game of Connect Four (the 4 player version) After a yummy dinner of home made mini pizzas, we put Sara and Anna to bed and then we watched Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (because Emily recently finished the book) and had popcorn and cranberry slush. Chris and I both fell asleep during the movie but Emily and Gabe were having none of that, so we brought out the games. We played junior scrabble, operation, and then we played our wild game of Connect four until midnight. It was a really fun night for us and the kids. This was the first year we've let both Emily and Gabe stay up until midnight and they were really proud of that.

Gabe had a really sad night last night saying goodbye to his best friend in Shanghai. Gabe and Mac were in the same first grade class and were instant best buddies. We had their family over for dinner last night since they were leaving this morning. When it was time for them to leave last night, Gabe melted into tears and hung on to Mac saying how he wanted to hang on forever.

Gabe had such a hard time finding a really good friend when we first moved here. Gabe felt like Mac was heaven sent when they met in class on the first day of school. Saying goodbye to Mac was like saying goodbye to everything that made him happy here in China. It was heartbreaking to watch him because it was obvious he was in so much pain. He cried the rest of the night even though we did our best to comfort him. Mac is moving to Iowa and the chances of us seeing him again are slim and I think Gabe knows that. We got on Google Earth and looked up where Iowa is and Gabe, almost in desperation said, "Iowa isn't that far from Utah right?" After putting Gabe, still crying, to bed, Chris said how he wishes he could be 7 years old just so he could be Gabe's friend. Chris plays with Gabe a lot but he knows it's not the same as a friend his same age. Friends your same age don't tell you to finish your dinner and yell at you when you tease your sisters.

While Emily and Gabe were getting ready for bed Emily, extending her sympathies, said, "Gabe, I had to leave my best friends too once...........and it was really hard." Her voice was choked with emotion but it wasn't for her. I could tell she hurt for Gabe. It was a tender moment for the two of them.

Gabe is doing a lot better today and is back to begging me to go play tennis with him or get off the computer so he can play a computer game. I think Wed. when he goes back to school it will be another hard day but he'll eventually be fine. He's very tender hearted but he's also really strong so I know he'll be OK.

Hope you all had a a wonderful holiday. We miss you and think of you often.