Natalia's New Dress

Grandma and Grandpa went on a cruise in the end of November, they brought Natalia back this beautiful dress from Panama.
Thank you!

Preschool Christmas Party

For Andrew's preschool Christmas party, they all drew names and got to exchange gifts. They had lots of fun picking out something for the friend whose name they drew!

Natalia and kindly drawing on the white board, just like the big kids!

Andrew's friend has a new little sister. Both he and Natalia couldn't get enough of her!

Playing around...

My sister Rachel's family gave us this awesome advent calander for Christmas. Andrew and Natalia LOVE it! In fact, Christmas morning Natalia woke up, saw the gift under the tree and said- "Open pocket!" She is still asking, several times a day- even with the calander put away for next year! It was definately enjoyed !

In one of the pockets were these wooden stars with glitter pens- the kids were so proud of their works of art!

So finally, we were able to play in the snow!!! After an unusually warm beginning of December we were happy to finally have the snow that we look forward to as part of winter! ( and yes, we look forward to it, this is only our second winter here, so the white stuff is still a novelty!)

"Frosty"

(aka) Gingerbread houses

Usually we use graham crackers to build our gingerbread houses, but this year we used a new substitute! It was fun- and yes Natalia did actually leave some candy on her house!

Fun with the snow!

With the snow/ice covered roads- you don't need a hill to go sledding!

Our friends The Watsons let us drive their 4 wheeler and then pulled us around the neighborhood for a fun ride.

Christmas Morning!

Natalia needed help with every gift she opened because of the candy cane in one hand and the candy necklace in the other hand that she refused to let go of!

Raja's trip to take out the trash... who needs shoes?!?

Singing along to a great gift from grandma and grandpa! Luckily there are two mics! Thank you grandma and grandpa!

This was the perfect gift from grandma joy and grandpa john! Thank you!

Christmas Eve!

Christmas Eve- new pajamas! Lucky for me, Ann helped me to make Natalia's pajamas- she also gave me an easy pattern to make Andrew's. (Notice the sucker in Natalia's hand- thus the somewhat purple face!)

Our Nativity

Our Traditional Christmas Eve meal at McDonalds!

Ratnayake Family.

This picture was taken in St. George, UT. Angela's home. The picture came out pretty good and it was nice background. We tried to keep Natalia smiling but she had something in her mind to look away.

Santa's phone call!

Christmas Eve! Santa called while he was on his way!

HAPPY 4th BIRTHDAY ANDREW!!!

To celebrate his big day, Andrew got to bring a treat to preschool!

We began the day with Mickey Mouse pancakes

Andrew opened his birthday card from Grandma Joy and Grandpa John

Natalia is displaying her personal favorite of Andrew's gifts- his slinky!

Andrew loves space, so Grandma and Grandpa gave him a space poster for his room as well as a Magic School Bus book about space. Thank you Grandma and Grandpa!

They also game him a gun that launches jets.... oooohhh, so cool!

Here is the fabulous card they gave him.

The birthday party begins! First we played musical chairs- a classic!

We also played pin the eye on the elephant, a Sri Lankan verson of pin the tail on the donkey. Sorry no pics of that!
Next it was time to eat cake and ice cream!

(Andrew is wearing the spiderman backpack that Natalia gave him, he loved it and would have slept with it on that night if we would have let him!)

He is opening the envelope containing a beautiful picture that Maddie had drawn for him. Auntie Ann also made him some awesome batman pj's! Thank you!!!
Ryland gave Andrew a card with $$ that he had gotten for his birthday,
thanks Ryland!

Attack Attack!!!

Andrew is telling Maddie all about the planets in the solar system!