Merry Christmas!!

Ok, that's about all the energy I could give to a Christmas card. Between packing up everything for a west coast family Christmas and traveling to Chicago for the Hsieh side celebration I am delegating my limited resources this year. This photo cracks me up because it was taken by a random photographer who happened to be shooting senior pictures at our favorite hiking spot and the kids were very suspicious. They both have that same, "Who the *&%$ are you?" look in their eyes. And because it shows off Ben's dimples. Oh, I love those dimples.

We are chilling at home this week with family and family friends who have graciously traveled from around the country to basically play with our kids. Duncan is here from Chicago and has become Ava's best friend. Before I even get out of bed I hear them reading and coloring and being silly downstairs. He is her adopted Uncle and I'm currently trying to convince him to quit his job and move in with us. Tomorrow I'm making cinnamon rolls to sweeten the deal. And Tia is here spoiling all of us with her hugs and crazy photo taking antics. We are one lucky family. I have more to post on Christmas, Ava playing Mary in her school play, and Ian turning two but right now I have the living room to myself and I'm going to delegate my energy into a cozy fireside nap.

Christmas Card Reject 2011

Well another year has come and gone for the Hsieh family. This year we are embracing the small joys life brings. Ian James Theodore Hsieh is now two years old! We are celebrating Ian's first epic throw-up right onto his high-chair tray. I mean could he be any more considerate? Not like Ava's first epic throw-up projected out of her crib right onto Mama's new cashmere sweater and all over the guest room. So what if his language only includes one sound from each word, or he can only build a three block tower. It's selfless acts of kindness that really matter in our home.

Ava has been thriving in school and we're encouraged that her teacher says things like, "Ava really likes to do things her own way doesn't she?" We're also thankful that she's increased her repertoire of songs with catchy tunes like, "Booty, booty, shake, shake." (complete with motions!) And her spelling has really improved. See below:

In a surprise move, both our pets decided to take an outward bound journey. Stormy took the lead by escaping in June and then our beloved nearly-30 year old turtle decided life wasn't worth living and packed her bags too. We like to talk to the kids about the daily adventures their pets are having, and the fact that they tried to ride Stormy like a small horse had nothing to do with her decision to leave.

Ben and I are surviving on the occasional date night and our nightly addiction to cable television. We endured many hardships this year, such as Ben choosing to grow a mustache and me withdrawing all physical affection in a passive aggressive attempt for him to shave. We continue to celebrate the important milestones of marriage, like returning the toothpaste to the drawer and actually remembering to start the dishwasher instead of just loading it to it's maximum capacity and leaving it overnight so that there are no clean spoons and you are forced to eat your mini-wheats with a fork.

Yes, we have much to be thankful for, our children walk and mostly talk and Ben has a job and we have a home that is not infested with fleas (at the moment). We have a sense that 2012 is really going to be our year.

Merry Christmas from the Hsiehs,

Ben, Rebekah, Ava, Ian

In Memoriam: Stormy Cat & Tippy Turtle

if you look very very close...

We have a woodpecker outside our window. It is awesome!

Da Bears!

Santa's helpers

The kids are at the perfect age for all things Christmassy (yes, it's a word). They love every part of the season, from baking to decorating to reading the advent story each morning. It is a lot of work to create all those moments for them (read broken ornaments, over frosted cookies, and tears over who pushes the silent night button on the advent calendar) but it's worth it when you know what's being imprinted inside of them...ok, most days it's worth it and other days I need an extra long nap and some kahlua in my hot chocolate. And I would love to say that I've chosen this fun color to add to the Christmas cheer of my blogging but I have no idea why it's green. Were just going with it, m'kay.

Trimming the tree

Frosting the cookies

Hanging the lights

This year we began our advent season with a Christmas kick-off party... yes, in November. We are not kidding around about taking our time this year. The kids made a clay dough and after the cutting and the drying, we took some time to come up with the different names of Jesus. This was hilarious as both John and Ava ran to find a bible and search for names. After coming up with Moses and a Camel we regrouped and looked in Isaiah for some clues. Then they started coming up with some really good ones. In the end, their list was very impressive. The ornaments were all painted with one of Jesus' names and then hung with a red ribbon. It was an easy activity and the names have really stuck with Ava over the last few weeks. She's always very proud of her homemade ornaments and they look beautiful on the tree.

The List

Decorating with glitter pens

Heart creation

The littlest elves eating marshmallows

after a few grumpy afternoons

Ava : (smiling a big smile)

Mommy: Wow, I really missed your smile. I'm glad she's back

Ava: Well her parents said she could stay up late so I think she'll be around all night.

baby boy bliss

Ian was lucky enough to have a day filled with two of his favorite things. His 'bampa' took him to see an acre of shiny green 'ba-po's,' (back-hoe's) at the John Deere warehouse. He was a little bit overwhelmed but took his time with each tractor and pretty much glowed the whole morning. I absolutely love these photos as they accurately reflect their special relationship.

Holiday Happenings

The Perfect Tree

Mountain Man

Photo from the Christmas card I won't be sending this year

A-hunting-we-will-go

Handsome boy

Success!

the view from here...

So, I've been on a bit of a technology fast these last few weeks. I think it had something to do with C.S. Lewis and his great line from The Weight Of Glory about being satisfied with making mud pies because we aren't even aware of the joy of a holiday at sea. That image has really resonated with my soul. I've been seeking a little more salty air and breathing deep and a little less staring at the dirt on the ground, all scrunched up looking for something that isn't there. I was determined from the start that this advent season wouldn't rush by with noise and activity. We had the tree up and the house decorated by Thanksgiving and have created a lot of space for daily worship. I'm filled with gratitude that God has pulled us close and that this time means so much more than presents and Christmas carols and holiday baking. The Gift seems so simple, the story only a few chapters long, but the significance is eternal and the joy is unspeakable. It's still blurry, but when I squint my eyes really hard I can sea the sunrise across the ocean. :)

Expanding Vocabulary

Ava's been learning so many new words lately and I keep reminding myself to write them all down so I won't forget this stage. Here's a few examples:

Ava: Mommy, I am sooooo hungry. You better play a game with me so I can be extracted from eating. (Pretty sure she meant distracted on that one)

Ava: (In a sing-song voice) I'm floating in the tub, I'm floating in the tub, high-ho the dairy-oh, I have buoyancy in the tub. (I'm not joking)

Ava: Grandpa, why is that praying mantis green?

Grandpa: Well Ava, you see when animals try to blend into something they try to be the same color as what they're trying to blend into. That way it can hide and protect itself.

Ava: (In a condecending tone) Grandpa, do you mean that it's camouflaged?

(While the two of us were sitting on the couch snuggling,)

Ava: Mommy, you are too close to me. I'm being squished like a molecule!

To be continued...

Birthday Girl

Well my baby girl turned five this week. I'm coping, mostly due to all the distractions. When she said she wanted an under the sea party, I had no idea that I was going to buy a first class ticket on the crazy train. And once it got going there was no turning back. Of course she was sick all week and only getting worse. I don't know if the pull of a monthlong pursuit of all things sea life, the 1am cake decorating, or the look in her puffy swollen eyes telling me how badly she wanted all her friends to come over was stronger, but I just gave her some tylenol and started answering the door. Thank goodness my sister was here to reign me in and provide some much needed laughter. And except for a break in the celebration to have her checked-out at urgent care, I would call it a successful party. We don't let a 102 fever with asthma and bronchitis slow us down in these parts. And I just want to say how much I'm enjoying this age. Ava is so creative and articulate and has such a compassion heart. She does have her moments but she is growing up to be a delightful little girl.

The birthday fairy brought Lucky Charms for breakfast!

Mama still insisted on warm blueberry muffins with a candle.

Birthday faces

I love this girl!

Decorations

Fishy Cake

Pinata time!

Daddy gets it done

Rainbow fish

Lovey boy

Under the seafood

Sisters

Little sicky

Happy birthday to my sweet mermaid. You are an amazing gift to us and we love you more then you'll ever know.

Llama, Llama home with Mama...

Llama Llama, morning light.

Feeling yucky, just not right.

Down to breakfast.

Tiny sneeze.

Sniffle, snuffle.

Tissues, please!

Llama's head is feeling hot.

Llama's throat is hurting lots.

Achy, fever, stuffy head...

Llama Llama, back to bed.

Time to rest.

No school today.

Mama Llama brings a tray.

Fruity medicine tastes yucky!

Llama Llama's throat feels gucky.

Look around. Not much to do.

Trucks are boring. Tractors, too.

Make a tunnel for a train?

Llama Llama, fuzzy brain.

Mama Llama gets a book.

Have a listen.

Take a look.

Heavy eyelids. Drippy nose.

Llama Llama starts to doze.

Up again and feeling better. (no photos as this does not apply to my Llamas)

Draw some pictures.

Make some letters.

Llama wants a sandwich please!

Mama Llama starts to sneeze.

Lunch is over. Time for toys.

Mama's head does not like noise.

Mama makes a big ah-choo!

Llama's out of things to do.

Uh-Oh! Mama's throat is sore.

Being sick is such a bore.

Mama coughs and Llama yawns.

How long can this day go on!

Mama shnortles, hacks, and wheezes.

Llama Llama's sick of sneezes.

Soggy tissues, gobs of guck.

Sniffing, snorting, sneezing, Yuck!

Llama Llama, red pajama,

sick and bored at home with Mama.

Llama, Llama knows what's best,

Mama Llama needs a rest.

Get more tissues, bring a cup

Fluff a comfy pillow up.

What else could Mama Llama need

How about some books to read?

Just the thing for Llama Llama

sick at home

but with his Mama.