Christmas '07

'This is the best Christmas ever' - my family quotes this every year, and we almost always mean it. This is one of the years that I mean it. Kim, Chloe and I had a really special time together. Chloe is a such a blast. At 14 months she is walking and communicating like a professional baby. She has her mother's sweet heart and her daddy's good looks.

This year we got up, opened one of Chloe's 30 or 40 presents then had breakfast. Kim has initiated a family tradition of Beignets (french doughnuts) for Christmas breakfast. We then went to a 10:00 Christmas service at church which was great. We had an awesome time worshiping God with our spiritual family that we love dearly. We then came home for a few more presents before going to lunch with my boss and his family and friends (Paulo and Mara) at their home. Paulo and Mara have 4 beautiful daughters who played with Chloe and Chloe loved them. We then went to Josh and Amy's for Christmas dinner with friends and family from church. We had an awesome time. I have a total of 3 weeks off over the holidays (one of the many attractions of NZ). We've already enjoyed my first week off, just being together and chillin' at the house and with friends. We're house sitting for our adopted NZ family at their home on Bucklands Beach for a few days.

Here's a little video of our Christmas. Music is provided courtesy of our church's recently released cd.

Chloe & Junna Climb & Clap

The Bump & The Mo

At last, the photo of the bump. So, I've made it to the 7th month of this pregnacy with little incidence. It has been very similar to my pregnancy with Chloe. We've just wrapped up the second trimester and apart from some SI joint issues that seem to be resolving nicely (thank you Jesus!), its been smooth sailing! This baby is kicking a lot and all the time. I do notice it especially at night when I lay down to sleep (hopefully not an indicator of what's to come!). I love the feeling of it....our next little precious is on the move, too! You may also notice a bit of growth in Mike in this photo (no not his belly, his Mo, as they call moustache here!). He grew it for Movember, New Zealand Prostate Cancer awareness month, where all the Kiwi Men go around looking like they're straight out of an episode of Chips Patrol.

A New Toy

Somebody's been getting spoiled with new toys lately. I think all the Christmas hype in America is paying off big for this little one (smile)! New Zealand also suffers from Christmas commercialism syndrome, but I think its not quite so big as in the US (maybe because there's no place to buy things really cheap!). But, just for posterity, I'll note that this toy cost only US$20, but US$50 to ship! Its no wonder things cost more here....they have to get here! Chloe sure is glad it did. She's been loving it. She's discovered, she can wheel it up to whatever she would like to climb upon and use it for a boost! She's also learning that its a bit slippery for standing on.....

Ball Pit Fun

At the ball pit, there was a little boy who took Chloe under his wing, protecting her from
bigger kids in the ball pit when they came through. She thought him quite entertaining and funny.

Climbing Continues

Recently, Chloe got to go to her friend Brianna's birthday party at Lollipop's Playland. What a fun place! Chloe loved the climbing and the ball pit above!