Is this China?

My little niece Ambree knows I live in China. I've explained it to her numerous times and showed her on the globe the location, but I knew she didn't fully comprehend when we pulled up to Taylor's Mom's house one night when we were in the U.S. and she said excitedly to me, "Auntie, Is this China?!"

Like father like son

TP and his dad. Do ya see any resemblance??

I'm glad we also had the chance to visit with his Grandma and Grandpa. He is 95 years old but still going strong.

After Christmas Eve (spent at the B. home), TP and I were sitting alone at his parents house (they were in Idaho), and we were too impatient and opened all our gifts to each other that night. Many of the treasures we gave each other were precious U.S. food that can't be found in China. He also bought me a beautiful watch and bracelet! I have the best husband ever! I think he liked the sound diminishing headphones I gave him for his many plane trips.

When we were dating TP would always play the piano for me, and I loved it. I was lucky enough to have him play for me again. That was the best gift of the night!

And some more photos...

We were lucky to be able to visit TP's nieces and nephews in Idaho the day after Christmas. We spent a day there and had fun playing with the kids and Dawson the Dog. TP had fun on the 4-wheeler and pulled the kids on a sled while Dawson ran beside them protecting them. There was a lot of snow. We felt pretty bad that Brinley came down with the flu since it was her birthday.

This is the 'Welcome Home Uncle Ben'' sign that was made the day Ben flew in. Ambree was practicing her "Welcome Home Uncle Ben" so she would know exactly what to say to him when she saw him. She was a little shy at first. After all she was only two when he left (Ellie's got a serious smile these days).

Taylor flew in from China a couple hours after Ben. His flight kept getting delayed as well.

at the airport

Meeting Uncle Ben at the airport was so much fun! The weather was super snowy, and it was questionable whether they would let Ben's plane land in SL, and after a couple of hours waiting, they allowed his plane in. He served well the past two years, and I am really proud of the person he has become. He is the youngest of the family, and always has been the peacemaker. He is always making everyone laugh, is always so happy, and is the glue that holds our family together. We were all so excited to see him again!

The night my brother got home from his mission we pulled out 'Rock Band' and had a killer band that night!

Family Party

At our family Christmas Party that my Grandma works so hard to put on for my dad's side of the family, we eat all kinds of yummy German food. My favorite is the Hot Potato Salad. This year it was decided that Grandma's house would be too small and we celebrated in a local craft house.


Since it was my sister's birthday that day, I made AND decorated this beautiful Minnie Mouse cake. My Aunt Barbara gave me a short lesson on cake decorating right before, and the rest was history. The girls loved Minnie Mouse on a cake.

The girls loved their new dolls that cried out every so often. Little Ellie certainly had compassion and nothing could keep her away when she heard her baby cry.

Thanks Grandma for all your hard work!

Snowman

'Once there was a Snowman' was the song of the week. We had fun out in the cold for a day making a superb snowman complete with a raisin smile, chocolate eyes, jujub buttons, and a candy cane pipe. I think the girls favorite part was when we pulled out the candy to decorate. Right before the picture was taken Ambree decided our snowman needed a hat and she pulled off hers to share.

The attempt at sledding in the front yard that day was a failure. The twins even hated being pulled around by the makeshift sled-a laundry basket with rope tied onto it so I could pull them around.
The funnest part of the week was hanging out with girls, reading books with the girls, playing house and kitchen with the girls (they were always ready to head downstairs to their kitchen and make me some eggs, hot chocolate, orange juice, muffins, or anything else I could ever want!) dancing with the girls to the music of '12 Dancing Princesses' in a plethora of dress up princess gowns, playing on the fun banana chairs with the girls, visiting with my sister, and planning and making yummy dinners and desserts with my sister. I believe I have the best sister and the best nieces ever! Thanks for all the fun!

FCBTF

The perfect ending to my month long visit was a trip to the Mt. Timpanogos Temple with my family. It was really hard to say goodbye to my sister after spending a wonderful week with her and her daughters. It was bittersweet, really, since I couldn't wait to meet TP in Shanghai. I honestly believe I have the best family ever.