quite the month!

Oh my. There has been so much going on. What with the boys here, Christmas, going to Shanghai etc. I haven't had much time to write and take pictures. I didn't want to miss anything while the boys were here and (as you know) writing a full post takes a good deal of time. Here I go though... I have quite a lot to tell you.

First of all "Merry Christmas!"
I hope your Christmas was full of joy and love... I know mine was.

 Having Matt, William and Malachi (the friend) here was the best. The three of them left yesterday and my other brother Ben is staying until the end of January.

We got to do the whole "Suzhou tour" with them and take them to all our favorite spots. Let me just tell you that I'm pretty lonely for them right now and miss them dreadfully. Thank goodness Ben is staying!

Christmas eve, we had the Wirgaus and a couple of our Chinese friends over. We ate, exchanged gifts, took pictures and drank coffee. I love those Wirgaus.

Actually after church ended, Lydia and I got in a taxi and headed to the place where she works... she asked me to sing a couple of songs with her and David, so off we went. We ended up singing The Call by Regina Spektor and "Baby" by Justin Bieber on a stage, with Lydia playing the guitar, in front of a couple hundred Chinese people, just us three. Yep.

After everybody left all nine of us kids went down to the lake (it was about 11:00 pm). We set off a floating lantern (ever heard of one?) and watched it soar into the black, Christmas eve sky. We were all so excited and everybody was shouting and laughing. It was beautiful. Then we lit off a bunch of fireworks and those were amazing as well. This all made for a really fantastic Christmas eve and an oh-so- very memorable night. (Thanks Malachi for thinking of those great ideas!)

Christmas morning my Dad woke me up at about 7:45 am and we headed downstairs. We opened our stockings which were filled (all nine of them) with fun things. For breakfast we had bacon, eggs, cinnamon rolls and more... it was delicious.

Then came the presents. Opening presents with so many people is exciting. I received the following... :)

My Mom had my own cards made, with my name, address, phone number, blog address, and email address on them! They're simply fantastic. She also got me a fun book :)

Among my others presents from all my siblings and Malachi were:

001. adorable, Chinese, glass cups

002. sour patch candy

003. a cozy flannel shirt

004. a pretty frame

005. hot chocolate with more chocolate to go with it (Oh yes).

006. beef jerky

007. a Cd

008. a (really great) wallet!
009. white raybans :)

I'm blessed.

The rest of the day was spent reading, eating, drinking some more coffee, lazying around, scootering to the park, enjoying being with the boys, and celebrating baby Jesus.

For Christmas dinner we had beef brisket, baked potatoes with sour cream and green onions (my favorite), winter salad, and rolls, which were all very delicious.

Two days after Christmas we headed down to Shanghai for the last two days with the boys. On Wednesday night we all went to the Bund! We ate at the "Lost Heaven" place again which was super fun.

We enjoyed the last couple of days with them so much. 

On Thursday the three boys left. Goodbyes were hard but I know I'm going to see them all in a few months.

On Friday we came back to Suzhou with Ben. I'm so glad Ben gets to spend lots more time with us.

My house looked so beautiful and cozy, and 11 people filled it up.

Today is New Years Eve and I have a little secret to tell you friends... I'll be a whole year ahead of you for about 15 hours! Yay.

I'm going to miss you 2011, please know that.

Thank you Lord for keeping us safe here in Suzhou, China throughout this whole year of 2011!

So with all that said let me end this post by saying,

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

I love you all.

2012 here I come.

Love, a

p.s. It's 11:28 pm... and you know what day it is!

a jumble of before bed thoughts

These past two days my Mom has been gone in Hong Kong (I miss you Mom!) So we've been keeping busy by being with friends, shopping, eating pizza, and getting ready for all the boys to come. 

Tomorrow we head to Shanghai (yet again!) to meet my Mom, and the next day to pick up the boys!

I haven't seen my three brothers for about four months. I miss them all badly so I cannot wait.

I am full of happiness, joy, warmth and the excitement that these next couple of months bring. 

I hope you are too.


I'll write a long post soon. As of now I need to get to bed so I can wake up early.
Goodnight.

 Like my idea? Photo by me :)

Love, a

Title:

For some reason I can't find very many words to write out in a post other than this... I miss my brother's. It's my oldest brother Matt's birthday today and so we all naturally miss him and Ben and William.

Oh and some turquoise rain boots with a very satisfying shadow in a puddle.

                                                                             Love, A

My Family

A post about my family. Most of you already know everything about my family but there are some who don't and even if you do know about everybody its still fun being updated on them. So here goes.
                                                                              

Matt- 25 in August! Just came to Suzhou for a while and us siblings (including my Dad and Mom) had a awesome time! The day we came back from Shanghai without Matt was dull. He is a GREAT big brother. I love you Matt!

Ben- 23 in May, Is still here in Suzhou but is leaving soon, (so sad) He is very handsome (all my brothers are)
and I love him!


After Ben goes Rachael- Almost 21, but I don't have any single pictures or her. She lives in Shanghai with my Aunt and Uncle and Cousins and is learning Chinese, and she's doing so well! I wish I was that good by now. Andrew- Almost 19, is after her and is also in Shanghai learning Chinese. He is doing great too!


William- Almost 17, He's cool! Since we've been here in Suzhou
and partly in Shanghai William (and the rest of us)
have gotten into dressing up more. With glasses and
really stylish coats and scarves! William will probably
be staying in Colorado this year (in the summer) :(!!!
                                                                                   Me, 15 in April, looking back on the train home.

Rebecca- Almost 12. My little sister (who is almost as tall as me) Its great to have sisters! I'm so glad I have three that I love all very much!

                              



Elisabeth- Almost 10, Is also my little sister. Beth and I share a room :) She misses Colorado A LOT! As do we all.

                         This is my good looking family on Christmas eve, all ready for church.
                                                         (Thats Rachael and Andrew too)          

                                                My four big brothers. Who are SO handsome!

Well theres my family (except for my Dad and Mom who will be in another post) Hope you liked my "people" post! (These pictures were taken on Andrew's nice camera and Matts camera)