A picture from the past!

I ran across this picture today.  Boy that was a long time ago!  It was taken at John's 30th birthday celebration.  We won't mention what year that was......

Chinese New Year

Caroline, Elisabeth and Tess.   AKA: Triple Trouble

Elisabeth loves playing in the sand

We got together with a few friends this weekend to celebrate Chinese New Year.  We met at a park so the kids could run and play and then went to a friends house for a delicious meal.  The day was the warmest so far this winter and it was great to sit outside and soak up the sun while the kids ran around and played.  It was a great time!

A few of my favorite photos

John took this picture in Turkey.  It is one of my all time favorites.  I don't know why but I just love it.

He took the previous picture from a hole way up in the center of this rock structure (somewhere in the big black round area in this picture).  People used to live in these rocks.  Let me tell you......John was way up there.  I tried to follow him but it was too hard for me and I'm scared of heights so I had to turn back.  I was so afraid he was going to fall.  The guide didn't seem to be bothered.  I don't think the safety rules in other countries are quite like they are here. 

Cappadocia - Turkey

I was looking through some old photos today and they brought back sooooo many memories.  And now that I've learned how to use our scanner I am able to post some of them.   I think it's so cool to be able to scan and save these pictures (since these were way before we ever had a digital camera) so I'm sure you'll be seeing alot more old photos from me as I come across them.  Hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

Happy Chinese New Year!

Wishing everyone a Happy and Prosperous New Year!  Gung Hay Fat Choy!

Chinese New Year is one of the most important holidays for Chinese families.

Prior to New Year's Day, Chinese families decorate their living rooms with vases of pretty flowers, platters of oranges and tangerines and a candy tray with varieties of dried sweet fruit. They display a lot of festive decorations, such as red lanterns.

New Year's Eve and New Year's Day are celebrated with big family gatherings. It is a time of reunion and thanksgiving. People travel to see their families and visit with them just like we do at Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Shooting off firecrackers on New Year's Eve is the Chinese way of sending out the old year and welcoming in the New Year. Another highlight of the New Year is the Dragon Dance. It is a form of traditional dance and performance in Chinese culture.

Red envelopes are often presented on holidays such as Chinese New Year. The red color of the envelope symbolizes good luck. Traditionally, the Chinese red envelope holds lucky coins or a small gift. It is given to bring good luck, prosperity, and happiness to the recipient, as well as to the giver.
 

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR!

Snow......again!

Playing outside last night while it was snowing really hard

Our backyard this morning before anyone woke up

The view out the front door this morning

Our front yard

Sledding down the driveway

Ron's not so graceful landing

Throwing snowballs

Elisabeth face first eating snow

Yum this snow is tasty!

Taking a walk to the front of the neighborhood

Elisabeth face first again eating snow

We took a walk and we would look back and Elisabeth would just be on the ground rolling in the snow.  Why?  We just don't know.

Pond at the front of the neighborhood.  There was a snowball fight there this morning.

Our neighbor, Breland

Breland on a solo sled trip down the hill........and holding on for dear life  :-)

Preparing for Valentine's Day

Lollipop bouquets for some of the girls friends

Chocolate dipped fortune cookies for Elisabeth to take to preschool on Monday for Valentine's Day and Chinese New Year.  They are so cool and festive.  I consider it a good find!

We made paper flowers for Ansley's class.  The center of the flower is a dum dum (you know...a lollipop).

It took a while to make them but they turned out cute.....and very colorful.

Welcome Home Avree!!!!

Elisabeth with my friend, Lisa

Me and my friend, Mendy

Lisa, Ansley, me and my friend, Stephanie.......and of course Elisabeth holding the sign we made.

Elisabeth and sweet little Avree

Our friends at church, Stephanie and Randy, have waited 4 long years to go to China to pick up their sweet little girl, Avree Brynn.   They returned from China a few weeks ago and we met them at the airport to welcome them home.  I didn't take my camera (WHAT was I thinking??!!) but Stephanie's mom sent me a few copies of pictures she took.   Avree is a year old and very cute.  She's adjusting well and we look forward to seeing her every week at church.  So far there are 4 Chinese girls at church age 4 and under.  I love it!  :-)

2010 Winter Olympiad

Elisabeth helping her team carry their flag in during the opening ceremony

Our friend, Anabel, jumping off the beam after her routine

Elisabeth doing a pony kick during her floor routine

Our cute friend, Tess

On Saturday both girls particpated in the yearly Winter Olympiad that they hold at the gym where they take gymnastics.  Each girl gets to show what they have learned on the beam, floor and bars.  And then afterwards they get a trophy.  It made for a VERY long day because there were alot of girls performing but it was nice to see Elisabeth and Ansley be able to show off the skills they have learned.   They were very disappointed that no one else was here to see it though.  It was hard to get good pictures because the girls were far from where we were sitting and the light just wasn't good enough in there to get great pictures.   The girls did great and are proud of their trophies!