Elle's new shoes

Elle got these great sparkly shoes from Aunt Kim! They are 2 or 3 sizes too big, but she doesn't care. She wore them all over the house today for at least 3 hours. Thanks Aunt K!

Christmas Day

"Joy to the World, the Lord is Come"

We pray that everyone had a wonderful time celebrating the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

We spent most of Christmas Day with just the 5 of us, and had dessert in the evening with my (Kris') aunt and uncle. We were reminded of how different of a culture we live in when we heard jack-hammering next door. The neighbors are remodeling their house, and Christmas day is just another day here. We still have mail delivery and all the businesses are open. Even the Christians here don't take time off, though they do have special church services.

Things Heard around the Larsen House

Had you spent Christmas Eve with us, here is a list that Andy composed of things you would have heard. ENJOY!!


“Don’t drill your sister’s head.” Said to Ike concerning his new toy drill

“A little lower.” Said by mom when Ike started to then drill mom’s back

“Don’t step on Joey.” Said to Noelle when she is in his vicinity.

“Do you want to go to the bathroom with me?” Ike’s question to Noelle throughout the day.

“Mom, this is good.” A 3 year old actually said that about dinner.

“Noelle, you have a gazillion toys. You don’t have to play with the butter.”

“Andy, could you stop shaving and take some pictures.” Said to Andy concerning his new toy shaver. He might have to up his shaving to 3 times a week.

“There’s a whole bunch right there. Right there. Ellie, there’s a whole bunch right there. Ellie! A whole bunch! Ellie, Ellie. Right there. Look, there’s a whole bunch right there! A whole bunch. Ellie, there’s a whole bunch right there! Huh.” Ike explaining to Ellie where she might find some parts of her tea set. She finally found them.

“A Bop gave me a Merry Christmas Present!” A Ba (Hakka for Uncle) is our neighbor who is very generous with Ike.

“Ellie, can I help you.” Translation: Ellie, I (Ike) am going to open your present whether you like it or not.

“Ellie is scared of Napkin Man.” See picture. Thanks Jude Law!

Christmas Eve

We had a fun, "quiet" (not exactly correct with 3 kids, 3 and under) Christmas Eve. It was just the 5 of us, but we enjoyed our time together. Here are lots of pics from the night. I know there are lots, but we wanted to share our night with grandparents, family, and friends.

Ike's Christmas Program?!?!?!

Today was Ike's Christmas program at school. I'm not really sure what was going on because it was all in Chinese, but it was fun to watch anyway. First the kids did a little fashion show (or that is how it appeared to me), then they did a little dance. It seemed more like a Halloween program with Jingle Bells playing in the background. Oh well, the kids had fun!

Cookie Time

For the first time since leaving home, I made sugar cookies so the kids could decorate them. Ike loved putting "big sugar" on his cookies! This was tough for me because I HATE messes!!!! The kids had fun, though, and as you can see they loved eating them, too.

6 1/2 months

Joey is 6 1/2 months now. At his 6 month check-up he weighed 15.5 lbs and was 27 in. What a light-weight! He isn't even in the 10th percentile for his weight!

What happened to our baby girl???

This week I noticed how Elle no longer looks like a baby, but like a little girl!

Egg Nog Lattes Anyone???

Yep, that's my little coffee drinker enjoying her very own!!! Elle even likes black coffee....just like her mom at that age!

A Trip to Minnesota

Two weeks ago Joey and I joined my parents on their flight back to the US to say good-bye to my amazing aunt. She went home to be with the Lord last month, but left behind a beautiful testimony of God's faithfulness to His children. Thank you, Cheri, for always being there for me and all your family and friends.

While there, my 91 year old grandma also passed away. She was a wonderful grandma and taught me so many things!

I will miss you both dearly, and will see you again in Heaven.

Joey got to meet many people while we were gone. Here are just a few pics from our time in Minnesota.

Playing with cousins Rayna and Celia

Spending time with cousin Montana

Joey and Kathryn all bundled up and ready for the cold

Visiting Great Grandma Gladys

Cousins Katie and Amy put him to sleep (or tried to at least)

Helping Kathryn celebrate her 1st birthday....Kathryn helped entertain Joey all week. He loved it!

Visiting Santa

Visiting with Great Grandma Bestemor before she went home to be with Jesus

A highlight for Kris....snow!!! This tree is right outside my parents house.

Kending

We took a trip to the southern tip of Taiwan this week. It is known as Taiwan's Hawaii. Well, it is beautiful, but we didn't get to enjoy walking around much. It rained the entire time we were there. Why you might ask??? There was a typhoon brewing in the Pacific. What is this with typhoons and our parents???? Andy's mom and dad brought a typhoon with them, and it seems my parents did the same. We still had fun being together though!!

Ike and Grandpa having fun

Elle and Grandpa

Just relaxing

Another unsuccessful attempt at a family picture

The cool house that we had for 2 nights

Dinner at Smokey Joe's...nummy!


A picture of the Pacific. The waves were huge and beautiful!

An Early Christmas

We decided to celebrate Christmas with Mom and Dad a little early. So, Saturday night we had the traditional meatballs with all the fixins (except lutefisk....that's where I draw the line). After we each got to open one gift. The McD toy is actually for both Ike and Elle, I just didn't get a picture until after Elle had gone to bed. Joey was here, too, but he was already asleep by the time we got to the gift opening. Sorry Joe!!

The Zoo....of course

Ike loves the zoo so much, and talks to his grandparents about it all the time. We went there last month with G&G Larsen, and had to go again last week with G&G Kvenild. We didn't get to take too many pics because it was raining most of the time we were there, but we got a few shots.

Thanksgiving

This year we have many things to be thankful for...healthy kids, visits from family, the list goes on and on. We have had to say good-bye to some family members who have gone home to be with the Lord, but we are even thankful that they are with their Heavenly Father. We pray you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Here are some pictures from ours.