Christmas 2014

This was our best Christmas ever!  Not only is it Lani's first Christmas but Mark is home with Racheal and Emma loves the idea of presents!   We hosted Christmas Eve dinner at our place.  Mom and Dad bought gourmet salami and cheese and Roger made lamb riblets, lobster, crab, and string beans.  We even used our wedding china!

Emma had a blast opening all the presents and ordering Dad and Papa to put things together for her.  We attempted at taking some family photos - guess who had the clicker??  =)

On Christmas, the whole family got together for early breakfast.  Papa made bacon, waffles, corn muffins, potatoes, and fruit salad.  He was hard at work in the kitchen!

Emma got all she wanted this Christmas - outdoor playhouse, indoor playhouse, lots of Princess Legos, and much more.  Lani got some toys and books which she loves to chew on.  

Thanks to all our friends and family for the wonderful gifts!!

Holiday Tea

We started a new tradition to have holiday tea at a tea house with our friends.  Last year we went to Lovejoy with a few friends and their daughters.  This year, we tried out a new place called Secret Garden in San Francisco.  We invited Noe and Elayna, Emma's bffs.   Lauren, Gina, and I thought it would be nice if the girls all dressed up as Elsa (their favorite princess).  

The tea service was really amazing and they truly catered to young princesses.   Although Emma had some grouchy moments, she had a lot of fun.  She tasted her first hot chocolate and loved the fancy tea pot and tea cups.  

Emma's Holiday Concert

Emma had her preschool holiday concert on Friday, Dec. 12.  Last year when we attended, we sat in the front row but boy was that a mistake.  Emma took one look at us and started balling.  She didn't end up singing even though we sat for 2 hours waiting for her 'performance.'  

This year, they had a skating performance before the concert and although it was long, Emma was able to show her skating ability (she's been taking roller skating for a few months now).  She was totally in her element this year - dancing and singing away.  You can tell she practiced hard for it.  We were so proud of her!!  And she had fun!

I had taken a few videos but it's too long for this blog...

Nutcracker

Emma watched Nutcracker for the first time this year.  It was a shorten version, only 45 minutes long and perfect length for her.  We went watch it with Lauren and her daughter, Noe.  We all loved it.  Emma's favorite character was Snow Queen.

Santa Picture

We had a pic of Emma crying on Santa's lap last year and this year she hasn't gotten over that fear yet.   We thought she could be persuaded since she really wanted Santa to get her Princess Legos.  But she took one look at Santa and said "I don't want to."

Guess the good thing is Lani got to have her solo photo with Santa.  The first pic is of her not really sure what's going on.  The rest we didn't buy but it went along the line of her taking a serious look at Santa, then back at us, then back at Santa and starting to cry.  At least we have one good pic, no smiles but no tears either =)

Snow in California?

The kiddos experienced their first 'snow' as part of the Redwood City Winter Festival.  Emma was able to throw snowballs and made a mini snowman.  Lani wasn't particular fond of the cold wet snow but she may learn to appreciate it one day