Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

We bid farewell to 2009 and look forward to a great new year, 2010!

It was wonderful to be home this Christmas, although we have been remembering fondly the experiences we had last year in Beijing, Xi'an and Guangzhou. We keep saying "Remember where we were a year ago today? Or, "Can you believe that we were in Beijing last year?"

It's really amazing to think of all the changes we've gone through in the last year. And not just Grace has grown and changed, but everyone! Especially Zachary, who was way shorter when we were in China. I think he's grown 5 or 6 inches this year!

Grace is very aware of this being her "first Christmas in America"! She really has loved the holidays and all the celebrations. Of course all the presents we really exciting too.

She loves her new Snow White Doll!

One Year Ago Today in Xi'an...

Grace officially joined our family! We have so many amazing memories of our trip. It was not easy, but yes, so worth it!! Grace's smiling face should be proof of that.

Grace was full of smiles after the initial shock was over.

Looking over her photo album we had sent earlier.

This is Grace at the first moment of meeting us. (She was NOT happy. I think mostly it was fear...of the unknown and of leaving all she knew behind.)

And now, a year later...

She may have grown a lot and changed a lot but she's still smiling and beautiful!!

Thank You Everyone!

(The video is Grace singing in January at school shortly after we came home.)

DONATION UPDATE:

We've had quite a few people make a donation to help with adoption expenses for the Mallory family. They just received their TA a few days ago and are making plans to travel around New Years! It's so exciting to have Grace's songs helping another family adopting from China.

If you don't know what I'm talking about, see the sidebar to the right and listen to one of the songs we have recorded.

Grace and Eliza with Santa at Eliza's pre-school Christmas party. What does Grace want? "something princess"!

THANK YOU TO HINATA AND FAMILY!

We were surprised and delighted to receive a package from Hinata and family on Zachary's birthday! The beautiful wrapped gifts are in the picture under our Christmas tree.

"Ring Christmas Bells"

Brian Stokes Mitchell sang "The Impossible Dream" last year in Salt Lake City. He was absolutely amazing! He also sang several other Broadway and Patriotic songs. One of the best concerts I've ever been to (O.C. Tanner Gift of Music, 2008).

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My favorite new Christmas album features him and Edward Herrmann, with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Several of the songs from above were included on the DVD. It can be ordered, or downloaded, at DeseretBook.com

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Edward Herrmann reads the story of Longfellow and why he wrote the song "I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day". It is sure to bring you to tears, or at least give you goose bumps! It is a wonderful DVD to see at Christmas time. It also has him give a scriptural reading from Luke that is perfectly done.

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You can look any of these up on youtube under Brian Stokes Mitchell or Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

Happy Birthday Eliza!

I can't believe she's already 5! Here's a few shots of the festivities:

Eliza with her new Jasmine doll
Monday night birthday dinner. We were going to go out, but Olivia and Zach were sick.

Eliza with her beautful cake that Zach decorated and baked (with her help, of course).