Happy New Year One and All!

I would like to point out that it was 91 degrees here yesterday. Who in the world wants 91 degree F weather the first week of January???? (Well, I guess if you're one of those folks in the US that has a couple feet of snow, you might.)

December was a busy busy month with all of our Christmas activities.

First was the Embassy Christmas party:

Abby eating a gingerbread man

Santa is apparently Scottish. He also arrived in a firetruck. Way cool.

My birthday was also this month, and we celebrated in the best way possible: by getting Mommy the most wonderful relaxing massage EVER. It was wonderful. As in, I fell asleep on the table wonderful. And then sat in a steam room and lay in one of those spa sun chairs and napped wonderful. Then came home to my two year old who sang Happy Birthday (with lots of coaching by Daddy) to me wonderful. Great Day. Makes you want to turn 33 a couple of times in a row.

Then the Christmas Song Sing-A-Long with our church:

Does everyone notice that we are picnicking outside in SUNDRESSES? Yes, I am having issues with Christmas being in the middle of the summer. It's just weird, folks.

Next was Abby's Christmas program, but you guys already know how that went!

Christmas Eve, there was a children's service at our church. (Not exactly that child-friendly, but they tried.) They had all the children write letters or color pictures as a present to Jesus on his birthday. Joel and I thought that was a lovely idea. Abby and I worked on her picture that day (complete with stickers and feathers and fuzzy balls and glue - a true work of 2 year old art) and we had discussed how we were going to go up front and give it to Jesus. Well, the entire service she kept trying to interrupt the program and go up on stage; and then getting upset when we stopped her. Patience apparently isn't a characteristic that runs in the family. She was so proud of that picture and showed it to every single person there that night.

And then of course, Christmas morning:

Christmas Morning Kisses. Abby's new kitchen is in the background. Lily's new exersaucer.

Abby put on these dress-up heels, stood up, and pranced around like she had been in them her whole life. She can even go up and down the stairs in them, something I don't even like doing.

Lily trying to eat the wrapping paper.

We spent Christmas afternoon in our new splash pool. See, I told you the weather is weird here.

We spent New Year's Eve at a friend's house, hanging out. I was so proud of Joel and I -- we both made it until about 1am, when we finally came home and got some sleep.

So that's been our month. I made some resolutions as I always do, and looking forward to keeping them (lose weight, scrapbook more, win the lottery, those sort of things). Hope you are having a warm and prosperous New Year!

Love,

Julie, Joel, Abby, and Lily