Another post Christmas gathering with an old pastor we had HOPE group with. We brought home our boys at nearly the same time. And both brought them for the first time to the Father's Day service that year about six years ago. Now they have a second, a sweet little girl. 

He's loving all his new books. Now he has more to read, I love it!

We always laugh when we get See's candy every year. This year it's a bag of milk chocolate balls, woohoo!

NJ was excited to get another Christmas gift that he had to open and build! 

The boys found instructions for making a land speeder.

They searched for pieces within what they had.

And built it together! Great way to be creative and not have to buy everything. And they had fun working on it together. They were both just as excited as the other. 

Ah, finally! I've been waiting for a day to just put my feet up, relax, and do nothing for a change. 

Post Christmas gathering with the FOT, including the second gen boys. Ha, ha. 

Only time for opening one gift this morning, we woke up and had to rush off. Not even any time for breakfast. So sad since I always do french toast on Christmas morning. 

What a nice tree at Baba's aunt's house, perfect picture spot. 

Wow, the biggest bag, it's almost as tall as him!

He got lots of books, he loves books!

Another huge bag. What's in here? 

Ooh wallet, now he can put his school ID. 

We know he loves spicy noodles, but hugging it?!

A long day, I'm beyond exhausted. Finally some time to unwind just us. Now I think I need to sleep everything off for about a week. 

Eating breakfast in Ah-ma's jacket, wearing it like a robe. A pink, zip up robe. 

Ah-ma showing and telling NJ all about the birds of Taiwan. 

Hot pot with Lexus Ah-ma, Acura Ah-ma, Ah-gong and Gong-gong. 

Bye and Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve candle light service at HOPE! 

Lots of music, the Christmas story, communion, and candles. 

It was a such a nice night and great way to end the night before going into Christmas.

We put up our ornaments from our adoption ornament exchange. It was nice to think of the families and kids that sent them, it's a sweet connection. When I see them on the tree I think of them too. That's about all I had the energy for. It's going to be a tiring day tomorrow, need to sleep!

NJ loves petting Dotty. Every time he gets down to sit with her he tells me: "Take a picture!" 

I almost always never get my camera in time before Dot runs away. 

I caught him posing at the fireplace staring at our decorations.

An early Christmas dinner with my best friend, her sister and our families! 

The boys had so much fun playing together, there was a whole lot of laughing.

Dotty disappeared and came back with a face full of powder. We couldn't figure out what it was at first. I was worried she got into something that would be bad or toxic for her, but it turned out to bread flour. If there is reachable food, Dotty will undoubtedly find it! It was caked and gooey all over her mouth and nose. It took a lot to get some of the dried parts off. I think it was even hard for her to breath when it was stuck all in her nose. Naughty little girl.

My sweet butter toast model! He's happy to start eating dessert!

We need to find a better recipe for this, I was kind of guessing based on ingredients from recipes I looked up online. But still, none of them were really what I was looking for. With fresh baked bread that we sliced thick, we toasted it with honey butter then topped it with strawberries, condensed milk and vanilla ice cream. Mmm... Must try again to make it better! 

Our three boys, so cute! They are growing up fast. I love the times they are able to play together. 

Doggy cousins, all begging for treats! Dot was the only one not rolling over or dying at the word "bang" no matter how many times we said it! 

Someone's feeling better! 

And more late night painting.