Highlights of the Season

The kids have been anticipating the snow since Thanksgiving.  It finally arrived, the day after Christmas.  I am sure I will do more post about our fun in the snow soon.  

 These pictures highlight some of our activities over this busy holiday season.  

Ice skating at Rosa Parks Circle

Jane liked the fact her new ear muffs and gloves matched the ice skates they gave us.

Elliot tried to skate as fast as he could, even though he fell more than once, he kept going.

Gingerbread house decorating with the Mccarthys.  I forgot to take photos of the final products. 

Singing Christmas Carols at the nursing home. Jane was able to accompany us on the piano. 

Our tradition of Christmas cookie decorating. I found this photo from 2007, probably the first time I had the kids decorate.

2012 

Fellow Home-schoolers Esther and Daniel joined us for cookie decorating.

The rhinoceros cookie cutter I purchased from CitySuper.
  I love that you can stand it up using the cutters that make the legs.  It of course reminded me of the wonderful tradition we had of cookie decorating at Ping's house. 

Ping and Joanna our first Christmas in Hong Kong 2009

Christmas Eve with all of the family here in Grand Rapids. The kids loved getting their Jones Soda, found in their handmade stockings from cousin Ben.

Santa Vadar

One of my favorite games as a kid "Hungry Hippo"
As an adult I found it to be a really loud game. 
Yes I am old.

It was a Lego Christmas this year. Jane received two Friend sets from family. Elliot received Ninjago and a City set.
This table did have games and puzzles in its drawers, it has officially become the Lego table.

Elliot has been asking me for a robe and slippers since October, he was very happy with this gift, that came from his aunt.

Christmas day we drove up to Coleman.  One of our games was singing the 12 days of Christmas, but with the Christian meaning.  We were separated into groups of our birthday month. 
I remember Elliot's group was faith hope and love- instead of three french hens.  I had eleven faithful disciples.

Trevor and Elliot.

Jane and Grandma Roman the September Birthdays

 The weather in Hong Kong was lovely during Christmas, and we had the freedom to celebrate Christmas and worship Jesus' birth.  Yet it was during Christmas that I would miss being home more than any other time.  This year I enjoyed the overdose of Christmas music, the decorated homes covered in lights and most of all the constant reminders of the true meaning of Christmas that could be found in our community.  The Christmas lawn decorations with the nativity, local businesses putting on their signs Jesus the reason for the season. The many churches providing toys and meals to the needy.  

Jane and Abigail Krohn
dancing at midnight bringing in the
New Year.

The year 2012 held many bitter-sweet moments for our family, we are looking forward to 2013 and the new adventures that await us.

Memorial Day

This is my Memorial day post. Yes Memorial Day is in May and I realize it is July.  I am hoping soon to be up to date and writing about current activities.  


We went up to Coleman and hung out with the Roman side of the family for the weekend.

The girls opened a spa.

I got a really good back massage and a pedicure. 

Michelle enjoying the magic hands of Emma's spa

The prices were reasonable, but yes they did charge.

The girls convinced Elliot to get his hair done and wear glow-in-the dark nail polish. Unfortunately I think his hair was a bit too long for the mohawk he wanted.

Carissa and Benjamin came up for a little bit. 

 The Coleman Memorial Day Parade

 Coleman population- about 1300 people.

  Emma and Moriah's baseball team float

During a ceremony unveiling a new war memorial, Elliot had to use the restroom.  The closest one was the Coleman fire station. Aunt Jan helped us out and asked if he could use theirs.
He thought that was awesome. I think he tried to brag about it later in the day to his sister. Jane is not one for humoring her little brother and made it clear she was not impressed.

Memorial Day is close to Moriah's birthday. She is four months older than Jane. There was a celebration at Uncle Tim's pond.

Landon coming out after a quick dip.

Emma and Moriah have asked this year instead of presents, for everyone to help them fill 

100 shoe boxes. 

The shoe boxes are filled with things like toothpaste, soap, small toys etc. Then they are sent out as gifts to kids all over the world.  God is blessing the generous nature of these two girls and they are quickly seeing those boxes filled.