Merry Christmas!

Rachel is at a great age for Christmas Traditions . . . We lit Advent candles each week while reading through the story of the miracle birth, We made sprinkly cookies to share with our friends, We attended Christmas parties, We told our friends about the True reason we celebrate Christmas, We drank hot cider and hot chocolate with christmas marshmallows, We all got new Christmas PJ's and opened stockings on Christmas Eve . . . and she was like a three year old on a constant sugar high . . . oh, wait! She WAS a three year old on a constant sugar high! Over all, for our first Christmas in China, we couldn't have dreamed it any better!

Here are some pictures from our holiday celebrations . . .

One of Jerry's Cross-Cultural Classes over for a Christmas party . . . hmm . . . Rachel at the center of attention? Imagine!

At the LDi Christmas party the paparazzi were out catching pictures of all the foreign teachers! I at least know three girls in this picture . . . there are many pictures of me floating around China with girls I have never met!


At the LDi Christmas party we were graced with a wide variety of performances. A favorite was the beautiful sound of our dear students singing "Silent Night" by candlelight.


Christmas Eve Stocking!!



Christmas morning with hommade cinnamon rolls just like mom used to make!
the grin is because they turned out like they were supposed to, whew!



The much sought after baby stroller! Six stores and lots of sign language later Rachel is the proud owener of her very own baby stroller . . . (and come to find out the word for "stroller" is "baby car". Would have saved alot of headaches if we had known that!)

and hey! what about those stylin' rain boots? wore those the whole day . . . just look!

Ready for church! Let's Go!


Christmas Eve Lolipop . . . mmmm!