Christmas 2010

Family visiting, birthdays, food and mostly a feeling that there really is a reason to celebrate and remember.  While we miss those that aren't here, Chelle and her family, Thuan, Tiet and her family, Chinh and his family and Hoa and his family who were here until Thursday when they went to Utah, we had nearly 40 of us gathered for Christmas today.  But first a couple of lead matters.  It has been raining here a lot lately, but the last few days have been great.  Lows in the 40's, sun breaks and warm homes!



We even got out on the river a bit.  Nothing like a Christmas day canoe trip!




And the Canadian's overhead!



On Thursday we had Zuri's birthday party at Out of This World Pizza.



Pretty wild time.  We even got the ultimate Duck fan Jacob wearing Uncle Nate's OSU hat!


Zuri really is a little angel!




And she is in good company with the likes of little Weston.



 It was a fun little party.  Ok, now before we get to the Christmas party pictures, I forgot to do the Mystery Critter last post.  Bad move. So to make up for it I am going to expose myself to a $20 risk by posting two Mystery Critters on this post.  Both pictures were taken on Christmas day in our back yard.

The first is certainly showing winter plumage, but is starting already to turn just a bit.  A clue is on the dot's on it's head.  What is this Mystery Critter?





The other Mystery Critter is not found in the Eastern US!  What is it?




OK,  back to Christmas!  Early Christmas morning I got up and saw that Kevin's door was open and he was not in his room.  Turns out he got up at 5 and went to serve meals to the homeless.  What an example!  Nate and Caitlin came over early and with Chris and Kenni we had an early breakfast.





By about 10 or so, Nic and his crew came and we were really off and running.



Maybe a half hour later, Alicia and Tucker came and the house began to fill up. Tucker got the tool chest he wanted, and Kevin was pretty excited about the 22 pistol that he and Nate each got!








By about 1 or so, the Choung and Cuong families had shown up, and soon we had everybody here for dinner followed by gifts and games.







While most of the dad's were chillin'.


Grandma did her best.




But frankly the gift pass out was nothing short of chaos!





This all out wrapping war started as a nice quiet gift giving game organized by Hailey!



It is really amazing how all these cousins get along.





Even lying on each other's tummies was an official event.



Baby Weston, though perfectly capable of taking care of himself, got lots of attention.




Everybody seemed to want a chance to spend a minute with him!





Hai was playing hairdresser to all of the ladies!






We got a big family picture after some effort.




But mostly it was just a chill day with all of us enjoying each other and the gifts that we could enjoy together.




A puzzle.




Grandpa's new bird book from Cuong's family which even has songs!




A new Truck.




The popcorn that Aunt Tiet sent.





New dresses.

 

 And just being together.








Now it's just me and Paula and little Zuri watching CMT's Singing Bee (great show by the way), while everybody is at the movies.  Even the quiet is reassuring!  I can't remember a Christmas that I enjoyed more!

Holiday Recital

Once again, Paula held her annual Holiday Piano recital at the Rainbow House.  She is really gifted in teaching these children.  The house was beautiful and having the family and friends here was really fun.



Each child was made to feel special, and she had a gift for each of them.  She started by having the little ones,  Mia, Jacob, Ava and Bree, sing and play Jingle Bells with their noisemakers.



Entertainment even included Zuri dancing to some of the kids playing the piano!




Both Jacob and Mia did a song, although we haven't yet named the songs.  To be allowed to sit up to the big piano and play was a real thrill for them.

 

Jacob is a really funny kid.  He totally loves Grandma.


First was Sierra.  She is 5!

Next up was Hailey Mullens from down the street.  She is really happy to be playing the piano.




Her folks were so pleased that they even gave Paula flowers!




Next up was Victor Huynh.  He is 6.




Victor's sister Eva was next.  Dad is obviously pretty proud.


Eva was followed by Dillan Pham, who is 8 and has been playing for about a year.



Kennedy Vial played 2 songs, We Three Kings and Angels We Have Heard
Note the crossover with her hands.


Sara Huynh is a really serious student, but Jingle Bell Rock was great!


Hunter Wilson from down the street (who with her sister is getting baptized tomorrow!)


Next was Kayla Huynh who just got her own piano this week!


Hunter's older sister Eliza played Silver Bells and Andante


Next was Abby Prestwich.  Her brother Kyle was a student of Paula's who's parents told us has been since asked to play for Stake Conference on his mission!

Paula's niece McKinley Robbins played Oh Come All Ye Faithful


Vivian Pham was recently asked to play for her school holiday presentation.  She played for both the 7th and 8th grade choirs. (She is in 7th grade).  They seriously treated her like a Rock Star!


At the recital, she played a couple of songs that she had found herself which were very modern. On one of them she had Paula accompany her on the flute.



The evening culminated with a presentation by Lyann Pham.  She has become quite accomplished, and played some very difficult songs that she also found herself.  River Flows In You and Path of the Wind were both very interesting and she did a great job of interpreting them. Omokage, a Japanese song was particularly moving.  Note her hands.


The piano is really a beautiful place for these young people to feel like they are accomplishing something.



Paula is really coming into her own and frankly is more beautiful. This recital came a day after the 35th year after our wedding!  To me she is more amazing every day.



And I really think she is making a difference in the lives of these kids.