Christmas, New Years, Birthdays, etc...

Let me just preface by stating this is an incredibly long post. I have a whole month of pictures to share, so let me begin with our belated Holiday greeting card. This is the picture that would have gone on our Christmas card if we had sent one out. And it would have said something along the lines of "Merry Christmas, Happy New Year! Love, the Charles, Nanthida, Lucy, and Ted"

Our playgroup met at Jen and Preston's house the week before Christmas to trade Christmas goodies and torture the children by making them pose for pictures in Christmas outfits and hats. I don't think I need to tell you how hard it is to get them all to sit still for a photo op. The photo below says it all. This is the best that I could do.

Lucy was good for the first few minutes of picture taking, but she got a little frustrated toward the end. Isn't she funny? This look is the calm before the storm. Mal and Ethan have moved to the hand-holding stage of their relationship. Pretty soon they'll be feeding each other Cheerios...

This is the same day, different outfit. She decided early on that she didn't want to wear her gingerbread outfit by blowing out in it. I think she almost likes the Santa hat.

Maly, Alison, Tatum, and Tessa singing in the cherub choir Christmas Eve morning. They were the warm-up for the real act, featured below...

Lucy as Baby Jesus! She made her theatrical debut and did an excellent job. Although not quite as good as Dad in the role of Joseph. Nice headress, huh?

We cheated and opened presents on Christmas Eve. Doesn't Lucy look enthralled with her rattle/chew toy? I think she is much more interested in Ted.

Ted was not impressed with his presents. I think he was expecting something he could eat.

Charles and I had not discussed this previously and neither of us had seen the movie yet, but somehow we managed to get each other the same DVD. By the way, it is an excellent movie and I believe the second copy will make a wonderful regift;) Adam, your birthday is in a few months, right?Lucy was very happy to receive her exersaucer. Although, technically, Santa did bring it a month early. Still, she loves to sit and talk the the Sesame street gang.
We spent Christmas day a Vadsana and Adam's. Here is Lucy with her Grandma Boo.
Everyone was really tired after a long afternoon of food and presents. Lucy's first Christmas really tuckered her out.
It really wore out Aunt Sue and Alison as well.
Maly's looking a little sleepy too.
We had a girl's night out the Tuesday after Christmas. Sarah had some very excititng news to share. She and Scott got engaged Christmas morning. Congratulations you two!

Kevin and Vadsana orchestrated a surprise party for Sue's 30th birthday. Kevin's family made dinner for everyone and it was absolutely fantastic. There were two sheet cakes. This one is the the chocolate one. Sue had all of the kids help her blow out her candles. I believe most of the adults ate from the white cake.
Miss Lucy helped Aunt Sue celebrate her birthday.Beth Ellen and her little Addie Sue. Addison is the cutest, smiliest baby. She is so fast on her feet and fiercly independent! I can't wait til Lucy is big enough to play back. This Saturday was Christmas with my Mom's side of the family. We also celebrated Mother's birthday, just a little late. Grandmas and the grandkids. They all got heart-shaped pendants with little diamonds. Very shi-shi! Just recently Lucy has found a fascination with fabric texture. Here she is admiring Dad's sweatshirt. Hopefully I'll have a new entry sometime next week. She will be 20 weeks Sunday, so we'll post some kind of growth progression in pictures.
New Years came and went quite uneventfully. We were all asleep by 10:30 pm. Quite a change from two years ago when we stayed out all night and then got engaged. That being said, I wouldn't have changed a thing. This past year has been the best of my life. I am so blessed and have so much to be thankful for. Our family has high hopes for 2007 and we wish everyone many blessings in the new year.