Jing-Qi's 1st Christmas Home!

We all had a blast on Jing-Qi's first Christmas. It was so wonderful to have her home. The kids had fun running through the trees at Frosty's Forest to pick out our annual Christmas tree. In all the commotion, we forgot to check that the tree was put on straight on the tree stand. We got home with our hot chocolate and tree to find that our tree looked like a cannon ready to fire. I mean it was at a 45 degree angle to the ground. Poor Sam wrestled with that tree for a good half hour before it finally surrendered and went straight. Way to go, Sam! Then, we all had fun listening to Christmas music while we decorated the tree.

Jing-Qi loves to wrap. The week or two before Christmas was filled with lots of wrapping of gifts for friends and family. Christina's school hosts a special store where the kids can buy inexpensive items for their families. Jing-Qi was allowed to participate as well, and she loved having gifts of her very own to give and wrap.

The eve of Christmas eve we all went to Sam's side of the family's Christmas dinner. I was concerned that meeting all the new people would be overwhelming for Jing-Qi, but she did awesome. She loved meeting everyone and playing with her cousins.

On Christmas Eve, we all enjoyed going to Grandma's house for the usual Christmas Eve gift of Christmas pajamas. Then, we all went to the candle light service at church, which was beautiful as usual. I love this service. It is so much fun to sing the traditional Christmas songs and light the candles while singing Silent Night. My parents come with us every year as well, which always makes it extra special.

On Christmas morning, we all went over to Grandma's house in our Christmas pajamas and open presents and have breakfast. My mom is up to twelve stockings on her hearth! Once again, I was concerned Jing-Qi would be overwhelmed by all the people and presents (Grandma has been known to get carried away), but not my girl. She had a blast!

That night, we all went to Aunt Mary's house for Christmas dinner and enjoyed the fellowship with more family.

We got home that night with Jing-Qi saying, "I like Mei Guo (America) Christmas!" She explained that in Taiwan she would stay up late and watch movies, which was fun, but there were no presents or family parties.

I am so grateful that we were able to have her home this Christmas. She has been adjusting incredibly well. I can't believe how well! She has embraced every member of the family and is learning family life well. I am so grateful! Praise God! We start back to our early morning schedule next week for school. I hope I'm still saying this next week! My girl does not do mornings well. She fits in to the Benavides family nicely.

OK. That's quite enough words! Here are some pics...

...at the Balboa Bay Club Christmas Boat Parade

We like silly faces...

Christina did Jing-Qi's hair.

Sam's dad with all his grandchildren & great grandchildren present

(a dozen more were out of state)

The dynamic duo sportin' their Christmas pajamas

Jing-Qi's first Grandma Christmas "sock"

Emily's 1st pic with her 1st Nikon camera-

following in her father's footsteps

Breakfast at Grandma & Grandpa's house...Yea!

Jing-Qi's 1st digital camera from Grandma & Grandpa

Christina, who struggles with SPD, wore the itchy dress!

This girl is silly!

She liked her Christmas dress so much, she tried to wear it to 

McDonald's the next day. She normally doesn't feel comfortable in dresses.

Christina escapes the itchy dress and celebrates with a little song.

Christina treated us to "Jesus Loves Me", "Hear Dem Bells",

and "Deck the Halls." Later, she improvises as her cousin, Hannah, 

dances ballet for us. It was quite a performance!

Mommy enjoys cousin, Austin's, beautiful piano.

Jing-Qi loves playing with her cousin, Chris, and Uncle Earl.

I think I will get her into fencing. 

Emily tries out Chris's archery set.

Wow! Go Grandma!

Christina is not feeling well. We find out a couple days later in the emergency room,

with a 104.5 degree temperature, that she has a really bad upper urinary tract infection.

She is doing better now, though, after a big scare to mama bear.