Reunited

Alyssa (and Hayden too) was so happy to be reunited with "her" dog, Duke. He has been well cared for by John and Jo and is even suckier than when we left him. It was hard to tell if her really recognized us, but with a lib, I don't think it really matters...anything for affection. Alyssa spent a good part of the 4 hrs we were at John and Jo's cuddling with Dukie...he is definately missed but we're so glad he is so well looked after ~ Thanks guys!

Christmas Day

Christmas morning, Alyssa and Hayden were assigned to the "gift delivering". After all the presents were doled out, they finally got to open them. While Alyssa ripped through hers at a feverish pace, Hayden took time to stop and enjoy each one he opened. In fact his first was a book and he had to read it before he opened anymore ~ Christmas really is for kids...and they make it way more joyful :)

Snow!!!

Both kids were super excited to see the snow, but not so excited about the temperatures. After we had all recovered from the flu (which Hayden didn't actually get until a week after we had returned to Malaysia...go figure), we bundled the kids up and forced them to go out. It was sunny and crisp and although it felt a little on the chilly side, we thought we were just getting soft. Then, we went in and found the temperature to be -32...no wonder the kids were whining!

Fabulous Friends

My fabulous friend Christie offered to host a party for whomever I invited at her house (just how fabulous...well, she has 2 kids AND is due with her 3rd in March). Although not everyone I wanted to invite was able to make it, we did get to hang out with Christie and her girls, "Auntie" Carrie and the Dobson clan. It was great to see everyone after so long and the kids hardly missed a beat. Christie, being the domestic goddess that she is, also planned an edible craft for the kids...what a riot they had decorating "Xmas trees"...not sure what the sugar intake was that day, but it was pretty high! All in the name of good times ~ thanks!

look at the concentration as they spread the icing...this is some serious decorating!

seriously, why would you want to waste putting the icing on an upside down ice cream cone when you can just eat it straight off the knife :) cuteness Sadie!

Please note Hayden "checking out" the cutie on his left...and also Abbie who is 6 months younger than Alyssa and Chloe, yet a foot taller!

The Epic Journey

So, upon deciding to stay in Malaysia for a 3rd year, we also decided to head to Canada at Christmas since we hadn't been there in 18 months. We booked our flights the first week in December, which is a little late, but turned out to be not a bad deal. We flew with Emirates
**insert Star Wars theme with reading of name**
I now believe that they are the most amazing airline ever, although I haven't flown that many. With over 600 entertainment channels, a "menu" of meals (which are still airplane food, but the best airplane food I've had) and free booze, who could ask for more???

We left at 2 a.m. on Friday morning (Thursday was the last day of school so that was very conveniant), not the optimum time, but all in all not bad. The kids went to bed and we woke them at 10 for the hr cab ride to the airport and all the extra time to get stuff done ~ plenty of time...and we were all very excited. The flight to Dubai was good, with the kids sleeping most of the 7hrs we were on the plane. We only had about 4 hrs to kill in the airport before we boarded to head to Toronto where we would spend a night with Steve's sister. The 13 hr flight to Toronto went well too with only one meltdown and it was minor...again, the kids slept a good portion of the way. We arrived at Angela's happy to not be boarding another plane...and even happier not to be on a plane when Alyssa started throwing up (oh, the glamour). It didn't last too long (about 6 hrs), but let me tell you from my experience with the same bout a couple days later, it must have felt like forever to her! We flew to Edmonton the next day, via Calgary, where we were supposed to meet up with friends for our 3 hr layover. Unfortuantely, our flight in Toronto was delayed so we never got to see the "Calgary crew". Looking forward to seeing them in summer though. We arrived safely and drove to Steve's parents where we would be until Dec. 26. More later, i'm sure you are SO tired of reading!

Santa Clause comes to M'KIS

Every year, Santa enjoys visiting the students at M'KIS. It is tradition that he visit from KP to at least gr. 3 in every class...he may even visit up to grade 5, but I'm not sure about that. To each class he brings a sack filled with presents with one for each lucky little boy and girl. It is such a magical moment and the excitement is unbelieveable. The kids are amazingly silent (even in gr. 2) as they wait for Santa to pull a present for them from his bag. Who could ask for a better start to the Christmas season...plus we get to avoid the "mall Santa's" which, in Malaysia, are never what one quite expects :) (not bad, just different)

Alyssa's amazing teacher invited Hayden to the class as well for the special event and...low and behold, Santa had a gift for him too!!! He could hardly believe it and squealed as he ran up to Santa (it was truly priceless).

Excited to get there, but, once he got his gift, there was no hanging around the big guy in red...

Where Have I been???

Ok, honestly I have felt completely guilty about not blogging for SOOOO long...I know, although few, there are those of you who look forward to checking things out on our blog. I will try to catch up. I'm starting off by adding some pictures of Hayden and Alyssa from our friends', the Coles, Xmas Cookie Decorating Party on Dec. 10.

As you can see, whether he likes it or not, Hayden attracts quite a harem...these girls so wanted to help him decorate, yet he shunned them all!



And, Alyssa is always a draw for the girls as well...she loves these two "big" girls...