Inspire Me :)

Just getting a few things together

The Chinese New Year is fast approaching.

We had just gotten home from China last year when the New Year descended upon.

We celebrated it ....

We did so quietly.

Just the four of us .....

This year we are hoping to make it a bit more festive and will try and incorporate a few more of the Chinese traditions.

So, my question to all reading today is :

Are you planning to celebrate the Chinese New Year and if so, how ?

JP found this great page , it has lots of terrific information and suggestions on how to decorate, what to eat and it even let's you off the hook with housework ....

http://www.educ.uvic.ca/faculty/mroth/438/CHINA/15-day_celebration.html

I love the idea of bringing in the New Year by opening every door and window of the house (to allow the old year to go out) and shooting off firecrackers at the stroke of midnight!

I just hope this - 27 C weather is history by then ! :)

I'm interested in what others are doing to celebrate.

Please feel free to leave a comment and inspire me with your creativity :)

Andrea

Snowshoes and Sunshine ....

The four of us bundled up today and headed out to play with "Old Man Winter" and try out our shiny new snowshoes ....

It was so much fun that we forget just how cold it was !

I don't think I've ever donned a pair of snow shoes before .....so I guess it was my maiden voyage ! Ben's too but he was a natural( like his Dad) and Aly ...well ......while she liked being out in the forest, it couldn't compete with nap time.

I took so many pics today .....I couldn't pick just one .....so I decided to post em' all .......

Happy Number Two !

Here is a video of Alycat's first official birthday party , surrounded by family and friends and loads of ice cream , balloons and cake.

As you can see , she really doesn't like to be the CENTRE of attention

( yeah , right!).

Aly loved her "Bee Bir" ( Big Bird) and " Mel Mo" ( Elmo Cake) cake !

A special gift that was brought all the way from China. Thanks Ching!!

Aly must know it came from China because she really loves it !

One year ago (tomorrow) we met Miss Aly for the very first time.

She has done so well adjusting to life here in Canada with her forever family....

Amazing really ....

Check out her pics in her "Gotcha Day" clothing .....

This picture says it all .....

Someone has a birthday in our home this week ....

Yup, it's Miss Aly's first official birthday celebrated on Canadian soil !

Last year we shared noodles ( in honor of her 1st birthday) with our travel group while in China.

This year we'll celebrate with noodles and a big birthday cake ( and a small one just for Miss Aly to devour all by herself ).

Fun , fun ....

Happy birthday my sweet girl.

You have grown into a lovely little lady ( touched off with a hint of spice, of course) !

Baby Referrals are on the way again ....




Congrats to all those families receiving referrals this week :)

Especially, Diane and her hubby @

http://ourjourneytobabym.blogspot.com

Another China sister coming to the Maritimes !

Congrats to you both !!

( can't wait to see her little face)

A creature has invaded our home !

It's big, loud and frankly, quite annoying .....

It was only a matter of time .......

Yes, we knew that .....

and Miss Aly is head over heels, in La La Love ......

Happy New Year Everyone !

I hope all your wishes come true in 2008 !

:) :) :) :) :)