Christmas 2014

Merry Christmas!  Whew!  We had a THOROUGH Christmas this year!
We made ornaments and cookies with friends, saw the AD Player's "Pass It On Christmas" show and "Amahl and the Night Visitors" and celebrated in both Houston and Minneapolis.

Before leaving for Minneapolis, we celebrated with my family here in town.  Nonnie and Papa came over to exchange gifts before we headed to Grandma and Grandpa's house for a Christmas dinner with the rest of the family.

Jonathan and Abby gave us pictures they'd made,

and Jonathan got a full set of space shuttle Legos.

Abby received the black-and-white pony she'd requested, along with a stable for her new horses, and

accessories for cookie with us!

Jonathan was tickled to receive art supplies from Nonnie and Papa.

The next morning we headed off to Minneapolis!   After I spent weeks preparing layers upon layers of clothes for each kid, thanks to a wealth of shopping support and supplies from Nonnie, I managed to fit snow pants, winter coats, snow boots into a few suitcases.

 When we arrived in Minneapolis, Halmony's laughter suggested I may have over-packed.  "More luggage than when we immigrated from Korea!"

But seriously, it takes a lot of clothes to get these little guys out into the snow!

Jonathan got right to work!

Abby prepared some snow balls,

and even Joshua took a turn on the sled.  He LOVED it!  I couldn't quit cracking up at the little guy just riding along in his snow suit!

There was SO. MUCH. SNOW!  Abby was seriously swimming in it, nearly as deep as her waist if she wandered too far from the driveway!

After some time outside, Joshua warmed up inside to nap with his Halmony while Jonathan and Abby took a sled ride down to the lake.

 Later, Jonathan and David got started on his igloo.  I couldn't believe they actually made an igloo!

The kids were absolutely tickled!

On Chrismtas Eve, we went to the local mall, where Abby was surprised by her Halmony with a special hair-do before a visit to Santa.  She had her hair done up all fancy!

Hi Santa!

We made it to the Christmas Eve Service at Bethlehem Baptist Church, our home-away-from-home church in Minneapolis, and enjoyed a beautiful service of scripture and carols.  Come Christmas morning, the kids were delighted to find Santa had heard their requests for stuffed dolphins and ran with the theme, complete with stickers and books.

Two days later, we celebrated New Year with the Korean SeBe ceremony and celebrated Joshua's Tol.

Halmony prepared a wonderful spread of Korean food and a beautiful Tol table.

Joshua followed his big brother's footsteps and chose the golf ball.  Apparently we're a house of athletes! ;)

Cousins ready for the SeBe!

Grandparents with words of wisdom, and envelopes of money.

The rest of the week held play time with new toys and games, Jonathan's first day on the ski slopes, a day at the Children's Museum, and some great times with cousins!

The Lincoln Logs, a gift from Aunt Atty, were a huge hit!

Whew!  Fun trip, lots of snow and lots of family!