Yummy yummy Siamin Soup....
I usually tag along when Steve and Em bloat up on this fish broth with raimen noodle soup, famed mostly among the locals. We used to have to go to a real dive to get it. The House of Siamin, where you knew that you had to check your soup for cockroaches before partaking. But the elderly couple running it were so eccentric and grumpy, the decor so tasteless, that going for Siamin easily became a favorite Maui tradition. These past few years we've been staying at another end of the island and we get to go to a brand new Siamin restaurant-that's actually open when it says it's going to be open. Unfortunately, I've never really been into the taste of the broth (or lack thereof). Steve's always quietly shuddered at my lack of respect for the soup of ancient Hawaii. But this year I did right by him. It took me this long to discover that they actually offer little sides to throw into the soup to give it some zip. Now I can't get enough of it, as long as there's a bottle of tabasco or some Kim Chee (Bok Choy sitting in a bowl of hot sauce) to zap it with. We kept returning to the funny little cafe for more of the delicious bloatation device.
Steve was one of the first customers to beautify the walls with his dollar when they opened a few years ago.

You never know how Blogger is going to arrange your photos for you. I kind of like how this worked out, beginning with my 2 fave beach shots of the entire lot.

Happy Birthday Hotstuff!

Have a great day Mom

We'll see you and Ruben on our doorstep in 10 weeks!

Love Ang, Steve, Emily, and Thomas

Ugh, I've been sick almost all week. I rarely get sick. I've never had this kind of sick before. Shortness of breath, paaain in my chest when I cough, persistent sweats/shakes, everything tastes like metal. Apparantly not uncommon, but it's all new to me. Doc says it's going around, and the cough will last for quite a while. Emily got it right before our trip and now there's barely a quiet moment in our coughy, sneezy, snotty house. Except for now. Tommy's asleep. Em's at school. Steve's out. It's just me, my 738 trip pictures, my laundry, and my dirty kitchen floor. If only we would have brought the thingy to Maui that gets the photos out of the camera and into the computer, then I would'nt have to back-track like this. But on the other hand, it was a much needed break from all things that characterize my homelife, and now I get to have a little something, other than home hygenics, and, oh yeah, caring for 2 kids, to preoccupy me as I get a little healthier. We'll see if I can sum up our version of Maui 05-06 in about a week (or maybe two, because I'm starting to feel queasy again and have yet to get to that floor). More later!

Merry Christmas Everyone!
Lots of love and hugs to all
our family and friends.

Thanks to each of you who showed
your love and support through
some difficult times this year.

Thanks to each of you who appreciate my efforts to connect through my blog.

And thanks to each of you who love the little faces that light up our world.

This Christmas, I feel really really blessed that we have some wonderful people who truly care about us. The feeling's mutual.

By the way:
The laptop is travelling with us so if my relaxation mode doesn't turn into utter lethargy, then you'll hear from me before too long. Aloha! XOXO

my creamy little nougat

Matthew, Krystle, and Kim. We'll be off to Victoria to spend an early Christmas with the first two. Kim, however, is stuck in Ontario. I know we'd have triple the fun if she were there because:

A) She's a crazy, troublemak'n comic, but sweeter than pie. I have yet to laugh harder than I did at her ape-man impersonation she pulled off at the age of 12.

B) She has two angels that are more loved by their aunties and uncle than they can possibly know!

mY sWeEt BeAuTiFuL aRtIsTiC eMiLy eLiZaBeTh

Little boy blue has Croup. Steve brought him into the hospital at 10pm last night because his cough and breathing sounded like he caught something more serious than a cold. It's a little unnerving to hear your baby bark like a seal and struggle for oxygen. He's on a bit of medicine (no antibiotics, yay) and it should only be a day or two before he's back to his old self again. In the meantime, we think it's totally cute how he needs to be held and walked constantly, just like a newborn. Makes me want to have another one. ;)

All they want for Christmas is a NEW COUSIN...

When Emily was sharing her exhaustive Christmas list with Ryan and Heather on the phone a few weeks ago, she suddenly turned to me and said "Uncle asked if I would like a cousin for Christmas!". CONGRATULATIONS GUYS! All I can say is THANKS to my brother and sister-in-law for taking it upon themselves to make me Auntie Ang. I'm not sure if that sounds hoaky so I keep toying with my title: "Auntie Angie" "Auntie Angela" "Auntie A" "Taunte Angelica", or just simply: "Angel" :) Heather's new Motherhood Blog contains all the nitty-grittys of a girl's first pregnancy. Things are pretty textbook so far and we pray that they continue that way. I can't wait to hug that beautiful Mama-to-be in a few weeks from now!

More wrinkley nose goodness. Thanks for all the latest comments guys!

We just can't believe what an awesome walker the little man is becoming already. I love his recklessness and determination. He just won't give up! Why did I think that all babies were inherently reluctant to walk?! The last two days we've been watching Tommy teach himself to get to his feet from a sitting position, without any help. He kind of rocks himself onto his feet-Up Kerplunk Up Kerplunk Up, woo hoo! He's off and running (well, not running) to the next adventure. Almost certainly you'll find me hollaring after him "It's the amaaazing baaaby!!", which is probably getting old and will no doubt make running away from me his next pursuit.

6:30 AM...Waking up to the pine scented dreaminess of Christmas-time. We managed to block Tommy's path so that he could scream at the tree from a safe distance.

Whenever I visit Emily's school, the kids excitedly tell me how funny she is. More than anything, Emily wants to become a Tiger-Trainer when she grows up. And probably a Scientist because they seem to know everything. And live in China because of the architecture. She's doing well, but, it's not like being a grade oner hasn't offered it's share of drama, yeah already. Hate it. What do I do? My many questions led me to google for some insight and I found this article written by someone who wanted to uncover the reasons he was unable to find the social status he craved in high school. It's kind of unrelated, and I don't see many similarities between his school and the ones I've attended (I went to 4 different highschools!). But the reasons behind his message that school is BS, in numerous ways, make it a worthwhile read if you're interested.

Santa was busy having his picture taken with people's pets for Stink up Santa's Costume Day or whatever Walmart was promoting when Emily's voice carried over to him from a distance: "Mom, did you know that Santa's here?". Suddenly we hear this robust "HO HO HO! A LION!" echoing through the mall! She waved and he kept going on with the Ho Ho's, straining himself to see her like she was the only kid in the world. Finally, a convincing Santa! As we passed by, he scandalously left his sleigh to reward Emily with a candy-cane. Afterwards, we amused ourselves by letting Tommy have a little forbidden fun for himself.

We couldn't believe our eyes when we opened the blinds on Sunday morning. Just enough snow to make you feel like Christmas is coming and that it's not necessarily a bad thing. Poor Arctic Dreamer Steve, he took one look and just shook his head.

Somehow the snow and the sunshine inspired another early morning trip to Robins. Hardly as interesting as some people's Sunday destinations, but as you can see, we made the most of it. Digital Cameras Rock Period.

Emily has envied her neighbor friend for her lion costume since the day they met. When we returned from Robins, our awesome neighbor kids came to our door bearing her little heart's desire-which has been conveyed more than ever since we started reading the Narnia series. It was probably one of the funniest things I've ever seen. Not like we needed another cat, but anyway.

Steve takes Emily for an art and donut session once or twice every weekend. This time Em's good 'ole pal Cheyenne was invited so they could catch up as they no longer attend the same school. Afterwards, Emily was invited to hang out with Cheyenne's family for a warm, sunny saterday picnic and play time at Willingdon beach. Thanks again Monice!!

When Tommy goes down for the night, we get to have a couple hours with Emily all to ourselves. Last night we went through some craft magazines and made Christmas cards. It doesn't seem like the greatest photo, but it's times like these I'll want to remember.

Tommy's talents extend as far as making sniffing sounds with his wrinkled nose and walking at the same time.

Nothing's better than a yogurt tube right after school.

Mom, this pic is just for you, because I know you love those poofy lips as much as I do, grape yogurt and all!

Okay, another one just for my mom. There they are! All six of them!