Happy St. Patty's Day, Spring, and Easter...

Hello - Hello - Hello!

WOW!

I don't know where life is going and why we can't seem to blog more...but we aren't.

So, for all of you we missed....Happy St. Patrick's Day, Happy Spring, and Happy Easter.

The kids are doing great. We had a long, long, winter full of wet messy snow. However, they were filled with snow days, playing in the snow, and lots of hot chocolate was had. School is going great for everyone and on days off they are mad that we aren't rushing around in the mornings like crazy people. We partook in some great Irish Corn beef and potatoes. We have worn our sunglasses and taken some walks as well as got out the bikes from storage. We have seen the Easter Bunny, hunted for eggs, dyed eggs, fed him carrots as we waited from him to deliver Easter baskets and even have taken in a movie to two.

Jacob finished basketball in February and we took the month of March off. He starts playing Soccer in April and that will take right into swimming season. He continues to love construction things, worker guys, and most all things boy. Lately it's been pirates....in fact, he is turning 5 at the end of April and he wants to have a Pirate birthday party. Lucky for him we won't be in our house and the apartment doesn't accommodate room for 10-15 kids, we have booked out local gymnastics place for the perfect treasure hunt along with trampolines, rope swings, parallel bars, and the foam block pit. If you near hear May 3, come one buy...it's in the evening and we are having a pizza party, then off to play.

Isabella is doing great. She is really talking up a storm. ALL THE TIME. We don't understand most things....but this girl can talk. Whew, we remind her to take a breathe every now and then. She has continued being the class clown in gymnastics and loves it. She is a dare devil and will do anything once. She has made some new friends at school, and in fact I think they have already been separated at nap time as they have decided they aren't going to nap and disturb the class instead.

Robb is busy with work, out of town a lot, so I guess people are buying wine. I am working some out of the house and really enjoying it. It's a bit of challenge juggling everyone here and getting somewhere on time, but once I am there, I turn off the 'mom' button and try to put on my 'thinking cap' and work.

As far as the house front is going. No hole in the ground yet, but we are really, really, close. We love the house plans them self and really can't wait to start making some progress. If all goes well, it will have been worth the wait.

So, for now....we wish you a wonderful Spring filled with sunshine and fun.

Happy "heart" Day!

Wow weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee = busy here in our house. Waiting for Spring and getting a little tired of the cold, wintery stuff.

We have attended many Chinese New Year Events, playdates, birthday parties, and today we had two parties at school for Valentines Day. The kids are really into this year. Even signed a few themselves. They also were invited over to decorate cookies for the holiday and they wanted to decorate them all for daddy.

On the house note, plans are done and being bid out by the contracters. Other than that, Shangri-la is still here and we are counting the days away until Spring, even got asked about when the pool opens this year. Yikes!

Nothing else to report, just thought I would post a few photos and wish everyone a Happy 'heart' Day (that is what Jacob calls it because he can't remember the word Valentines).

Enjoy!

Happy Chinese New Year!

“Gung Hay Fat Choy”
(Best wishes and Congratulations - Have a prosperous and good year)
"Teen Hau Way Goong"
(We all work under Heaven for the benefit of the common good)

What is Chinese New Year’s

Just what is Chinese New Year? There's actually a lot more to it than lion dances and firecrackers, although these two pieces of tradition are integral and more visible, Chinese New Year to China is like Christmas to the West. In essence, Chinese New Year is spending time with family, gift giving and, the all important, food-fest.

In 2008, New Year's Day falls on Thursday, February 7. Chinese workers usually get a week of holiday over Chinese New Year. This means that offices and factories are closed and shops and banks may have limited hours. But generally, aside from New Year's Eve and New Year's Day, most service facilities (restaurants, hotels) and certainly tourist sights are open.

Chinese New Year celebrations have their origin with end-of-harvest celebrations when people would offer thanks to gods for good harvests and entreaty for a good crop in the following year.

Chinese Zodiac
There are various stories about the origins of the twelve animals in the Chinese Zodiac. Some use the Chinese gods, some use Buddha, but the essence of the story is that a higher being called all animals to a meeting and the first to arrive would be chosen. Before all this, the rat and the cat were good friends. But on the morning of the meeting, the rat, in her excitement, forgot to wake up the cat and through various means of trickery (or cleverness, as this rat interprets) got to the gods first and was thus chosen first. The cat slept in and missed the gathering, and since then, the two have been enemies. Only 12 animals came to the meeting. As a reward they were named a year after each other one in the order that they arrived. First came the Rat, then the Ox, the Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog and Pig. Thus we have 12 signs today.
2008 brings us the Year of the Brown Earth Rat beginning a new twelve-year cycle on the Chinese calendar.

Rat

Birth Years - 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008
Characteristics: Imaginative, Charming, Generous to loved ones, Hard-working, Quick-tempered, Critical

Ox
Birth Years - 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009
Characteristics: Alert, Strong leadership, Demanding, Stubborn, Methodical, Dislikes failure, Make great parents

Tiger
Birth Years - 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 201
Characteristics: Short-tempered, Suspicious, Adventurous, Sensitive. Emotional, Risk-taking

Rabbit
Birth Years - 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011
Characteristics: Articulate, Ambitious, Controlled, Affectionate, Cooperative, Friendly, Sentimental

Dragon
Birth Years - 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012
Characteristics: Healthy, Energetic, Short-tempered, Stubborn, Honest, Sensitive, Trust-worthy, Gregarious, Popular, Intelligent

Snake
Birth Years - 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013
Characteristics: Vain, Selfish, Sympathetic, Charitable, Romantic, Charming, Stingy, Self-reliant

Horse
Birth Years – 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014
Characteristics: Popular, Cheerful, Skilled with money matters, Hard-working, Impatient, Independent, Intelligent

Sheep
Birth Years – 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015
Characteristics: Wise, Gentle, Compassionate, Charming, Elegant, Slightly materialistic, Quick to complain, Shy, Pessimistic

Monkey
Birth Years – 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016
Characteristics: Intelligent, Clever, Good memory, Popular, Judgmental

Rooster
Birth Years – 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017
Characteristics: Hard-working, Shrewd, Bold, Boastful, Correct

Dog
Birth Years – 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018
Characteristics: Honest, Faithful, Loyal, Trust-worthy, Worrisome, Sharp-tongued

Pig
Birth Years – 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019
Characteristics: Chivalrous, Gallant, Honest, Tolerant, Thirsty for knowledge, Well-informed, Quick tempered, Avoid confrontation, Naïve

Chinese New Year’s Eve (February 6, 2008)
New Year's Eve is a time for family get-togethers for eating, catching up and shou sui (staying up all night), waiting for the new year.
At midnight, it's a custom to eat jiao zi (dumplings), because the word jiao zi is similar to the ancient word for new replacing the old. The crescent shape of the dumpling is also similar to ancient money and the image of plates piled high with the dumplings lets people imagine heaps of money being brought to the table symbolizing wealth in the New Year. Also at midnight, it is customary to set off firecrackers. This was traditionally done to scare away demons but in modern times is a ritual of merriment and pyrotechnics.

From New Year's Day Forward (February 7 – 21, 2008)
Day One: New Year's Day (the first day of the first lunar month):
Traditionally, one welcomes the gods from the heaven and earth. Ming and Qing emperors would perform a grand ceremony at the Temple of Heaven in Beijing.
Elders give children ya sui, or gifts of money. The money is put into a lovely red envelope, called a hong bao, that is usually decorated with New Year’s wishes, and given to happy children. Some Chinese might give up meat for the day. No one cleans! Cleaning on New Year's Day is serious bad luck; you might sweep all the good fortune out the door.

Day Two: Prayers to ancestors are added to prayers to the gods. It's believed that this day is the birthday of all dogs, so it's better to be extra kind to dogs on this day as well.

Days Three & Four: Sons-in-laws pay respect to their in-law families.

Day Five: Everyone stays home to wait for and welcome the God of Wealth. It's bad luck to visit anyone on this day.

Day Six to Ten: Families go out to visit relatives and friends.

Day Seven: It's a special day for farmers and it's also supposed to be the birthday of all mankind. Eating noodles is traditional to ensure long life.

Day Ten to Twelve: Now that the visiting is over, it's time to invite family and friends over for dinner.

Day Thirteen: Finally! A break in the lavish meals! One is supposed to eat simply on the thirteenth day of New Year.

Day Fourteen: Time to prepare for day fifteen, the Lantern Festival.

Day Fifteen: The Lantern Festival, celebrated on the night of the first full moon, also marks the end of the Chinese New Year holiday period. Chinese people light lanterns, play riddle games and eat sticky rice balls.

From our house to yours: Happy Chinese New Year!

Game on...be it basketball or cupcake eating!

Jacob had his first Basketball game last Friday and let me just say, he has some moves. NO idea, I mean absolutly no idea what he is doing, but he had the best time ever and ran like a pro and acted as he was blocking everything in site. It was great. In fact, one time the coach blew his whistle and on the video that we have, you see Jacob stomping his foot as though he was saying, 'oh man'. Then he proceeded to do everything with his hands that the coach did, including wiping his nose. It was so hilarious and we had the greatest time. Oh yes, I forgot to tell you that I signed Robb up to help coach. He was a great sport about it all and he did a great job.













Now, that leads us to the other little one in the house. Isabella and Jacob recently attended Thier cousins third birthday party where They had a fantastic time. They had a Princess tea and Isabella managed to enjoy every ounce of sugar that she ate, including the cupcake that she was trying to devour before her brother came over to eat only the frosting. It was a fun time and nice to see all the kiddos enjoying themselves. That's our girl!

Recap - DISNEY-mania!

Left Shangri La (that is what we affectionately call our apartment) a week ago last Saturday with freezing cold weather and some snow on the ground and entered into the world where acting silly is a requirement, carrying magic wands and pirate swords is a must, following pixie dust isn’t some 60’s bad dream, and seeing exotic animals from your hotel window is normal and the was sun shining and 80 degrees…..only to enter the Mouse’s House of Disney.

We spent 8 wonderful nights at the Animal Kingdom Lodge in Walt Disney World resorts. We park hopped every day, dined with a Princess and her Fairy God Mother as well as the big cheese himself and his friends, watched parades, marched in a parade, saw unbelievable fireworks most every night, met up with friends whom we traveled to China with (that really are considered family), stayed up late, acted like kids….(each and everyone of us), watched zebra, giraffe, and ostriches alike outside our hotel window each morning, and swam outside in January.

It was our first family trip out of state on an airplane as a family of four. Robb nor the kids have ever ventured into the world of Magic and dreams coming true….only to experience the BEST vacation we have EVER had. Our entire family are believers now, there really is some kind of Magic there, Fairy Dust really does make you fly and milk coming out of your nose doesn't get you in trouble - you just giggle. If we could go back tomorrow we would.

The best way to sum up this trip is a pictorial view of the vacation and the expressions on the kid’s faces tells the entire story. We highly, highly recommend it if you have never been of it you have, go again. From our house to yours……you and never to young or to old to go. As a good friend told me, it’s a different trip, vacation, experience, and/or park each time you enter the world of Magic and Dreams based on your children’s ages.

Happy New Year!

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!

I feel like it was just the 2000, when everyone was freaking out with a bit of concern that maybe everything would come to halt as the new millennium rolled over. Not us, we had a Pajama Party - Shrimp Boil. Everyone wore their PJ’s, we covered the table with mounds of shrimp, corn, and potatoes…ate, drank, brought in the New Year with friends, family, and fireworks. Was it really 8 years ago?

This year wasn’t much different. We kind of bombarded on some friends (invited ourselves over accidentally, by running by their house to pick up some things they have been storing for us), cooked them some dinner, and brought in the New Year together. Difference from then to now, we are all parents, so the noise level came from the kiddos and the drinking was minimal. None the less, it was great. We toasted at midnight, danced to Auld Lang Syne, and made some resolutions to be better parents, better friends, better spouses, better neighbors, eat healthier, move more, watch less television, better to our planet, and just be an all around better person. You know the saying, ‘when you know better you do better’.

I love the whole “fresh new start" thing that comes with the New Year. Robb and I have been talking and we want to make this year awesome. We want to live life to the fullest, do a little more as a family unit, and maybe fly by the seat of our pants just a little more. We have many, many, new changes happening this year – We are in the midst of packing for one of my all time dream vacations (taking the kids to Disney), I have gone back to work part time and am loving it, Jacob will start Kindergarten, we WILL move into a house (working really hard on that right now…we have a place we like, a builder we like, and house plans we are loving), Isabella will begin pre-school, and someone I know…will be turning 40!

We hope you are all ready for one heck of a great year. We know we are. We wish you a new year of opportunity, a new year of hope, life, growth, adventure, challenges, and certainly a new year to remember…so here’s to 2008! May it be all that you imagine, hope and dream it to be!

Santa found out we moved....

We had a wonderful Christmas. It started with a very early awakening of two little ones more excited than most begging to come see.....Santa came, he found out we moved and he knows where we live. Proceeded to by opening stockings, and more presents than a two bedroom apartment can hold. It was a mass of paper, followed by screams of 'just what I always wanted'....including me...I have been asking for a new camera for a very long time and Santa delivered. Just in time for the Christmas holiday and vacation. Not just need some time to read the directions and figure out to use it.

We then went to Grandpa's house for more stockings and breakfast. We have a family tradition of opening stockings at Grandpa's House and a dutch breakfast of eggs and Balken Brij. Delicious!

We then headed over to visit with my family and exchange gifts. There was a puppy dog visiting so the kids had a great time playing ball with the new dog.

After the morning rush, we settled for the day and evening at our last location - Robb's brother's house for a wonderful day of lunching, present opening, and a fantastic dinner. Everyone had such a wonderful time, left with arms full of presents, bellies full, and tired as could be.

Christmas was a smash - out of the park. We had a great day and couldn't have asked for more.



Stockings at our place on Christmas morning.



Jacob's favorite present of the day....a LARGE firetruck.



Isabella's favorite present of the day....a kitchen.

Happy Christmas Eve!

Happy Christmas Eve!

A very good friend sent this to us this morning and I felt the need to pass the wishes and cheer along.

My Christmas wish for you,

Is not a simple one
For I wish you hope and joy and peace
Days filled with warmth and sun
I wish you love and friendship too
Throughout the coming year
Lots of laughter and happiness
To fill your world with cheer
May you count your blessings, one by one
And when totaled by the lot
May you find all you've been given
To be more than what you sought
May your journeys be short, your burdens light
May your spirit never grow old
May all your clouds have silver linings
And your rainbows pots of gold
I wish this all and so much more
May all your dreams come true
May you have a Merry Christmas friend
And a happy New Year, too! ~ unknown

Until tomorrow, have a very blessed evening and take some time out of this busy night to thank the ones you love and hug them even tighter.

God Bless you all,

Robb, Angie, Jacob, and Isabella

Move Over November...December is here...

We are in full HOLIDAY mode here. We have trimmed the tree, hung the stockings, did Christmas cards, visited with Santa, wrote our Dear Santa Letters, explained even though we don't have a fire place - SANTA WILL COME, and a dear friend had us over to decorate cookies today (and sent a supply home for Jacob to decorate since he was at school during the party), had our first snow, frost, freezing ice, and even a couple of snow days, and now to finish shopping...and get some things mailed.

Bring on Dasher, Dancer, Ho-Ho-HO, and so forth......

Instead of Christmas letters or writing on cards this year (frankly had the best intentions it just didn't happen), we sent out cards with our blog address...that way you can stay in touch all year long and contact us if you want.

So, I leave you with photos and Cheers from our family to yours:
Sharing with you the Glory, the Wonder, and the Miracle of this Holy Season...
We wish you and your family and Blessed Christmas and a Wonderful New Year!

Robb, Angela, Jacob, and Isabella

Time Goes Flying By......

Whew - where does the time go? I guess when your having fun, it just flies by. I won't bore you with the mundane things in our lives, just catch you up on some highlights of November:

1. No house changes yet. Made some progress by meeting with a couple of builders and picked out a lot in a neighborhood. However, it's winter here...so no one if really building much anyway, so we of course are taking our time. Just doesn't seem like 5 months...........NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2. Spent Thanksgiving with some wonderful friends in their new home cooking the day away. It was a wonderful day, great friends, great food, and of course plenty of room for the kids to play. We had plenty to be thankful for this year. Did I mention, we cooked all day.....it was heaven being back in a functional working kitchen with plenty of room and materials to use. As you can imagine, here in the apartment, it's small, the appliances aren't the greatest, and I didn't pack everything I thought we would need. It's like one big long camping trip with running water and a toilet.

3. Robb has been traveling a lot with work...so he is a bit scarce these days. However, the wine business is treating him kind and he is loving every bit of it. So keep drinking.

4. Jacob is doing great in school and loving every bit of it as well. In fact, on days that we don't have school he is mad. It could however be that he has his first little crush on a little girl in his class that has glasses just like him, or his teacher is nicer than I am. We took Jacob to his first concert in November - Garth Brooks. It was wonderful. He had so much fun. In fact, they taped his show to put on a television program that we also taped. So, Jacob asks to watch it all the time. Because I packed all the musical instruments away, he runs around with a wooden spoon and pretends it's his guitar, fiddle, and/or microphone as he is jumping off the couch yelling. It's a site to see.

5. Isabella continues to grow and learn. She is enjoying her weekly gymnastics class and in fact is the class clown. She will do anything for a laugh, including making me chase her all over the place when she is suppose to be sitting still.

6. I am doing great. I continue to stay at home with the kids, watching them grow up way to fast and dream/think about what I want to do when I grow up.

7. Oh yea, we are taking a family vacation in January. It's Merry Christmas to us and then some. We are going to spend a week at Disney World, submerged in the magic. I absolutely can't wait. I am so beside myself. I know a lot of you don't care for it, think it's crazy, and blah, blah, blah....but this is a dream come true for me. To go on a Disney Adventure with my family. Best part, Robb has never ever been. So, he has no idea what is instore for him. He will be a kid again and love showeing our own kids these wonderful new things. We also are meeting up with two families that we traveled to China with who live in the area. We can't wait to see the girls again and see our friends. I will keep you posted on our adventures.

So all in all, we are doing great and wishing you all a Wonderful Holiday Season.

Jacob before the Garth Brooks Concert:


Our Turkey's at the very end of a Wonderful Long Thanksgiving Day:


Trimmed the tree the weekend after Thanksgiving: