ella's new robe

Thank you Santa!!!

Cristmas brunch

Santa at the American Club in Tai Tam










It just isn't Christmaswithout a Chinese Santa







Ella loving the crayons!
Notice the cute new shoes I bought her? I just couldn't handle her in a dress and snow boots!





The food was really good. An imported Butterball turkey, roast beef and yorkies, oysters, crab legs.





Tracey, Anastasia, Sarah, Gustav, Justin

After her bath tonight Ella was really hyper. She wanted in her crib and just started bouncing and jumping. I finally went to get the camera b/c she was just being so funny.
While I was taping her she reached for the camera. I let her have it and it was even funnier! Seeing her expression when she could see Kitty in the screen and then look away and see Kitty in the crib was too funny!

Bella's christening

We were able to go to Bella's christening since we left Vancouver early.

The church was big and really nice inside

Too bad this hat makes me look like a jockey. Just call me Seabiscuit.




Tracey and Bella










Anastasia and her Auntie Maria











Ella was much more interested in the tree outside then the ceremony






























Yah! Bella was so good! No crying.

Ella at the park

Pancake time!



















Ella's friend Ming who lives in our building.
He is very shy compared to Ella. I think he is scared of her :)

my rant

You know what I hate about Hong Kong?
That I had to hit 5 grocery stores to get the ingredients to do my Christmas baking.
And even then I was forced to resort to mass substitutions because so many things aren't available here.

After my mad baking spree I became ill so I didn't even taste any of my creations before I handed them out to my unsuspecting friends. Heaven knows what they now think of me!

Here's my list of subs:

peanut butter chips + a good squirt of caramel sauce = butterscotch chips
full sized regular marshmallows cut up into 4's = small fruit flavor marshmallows
parchment paper = wax paper
shortening and a hunk of butter = golden shortening
pre-made graham crust crumbled up = graham crumbs
Pillsbury pie crust cut up= tart shells
teddy bear cookie cutter = gingerbread man cookie cutter

I think that's all.

Oh and while I'm at it...you what pisses me off? Less than 30 minutes after I changed the bedding Lexi pisses on the bed. Bad Kitty.

K, I'm done.

Merry Christmas!!!

Ella in the snow





























I DON'T WANT MY PICTURE TAKEN!!!!







Matching PJ's








Matching aprons








The 5 cousins








Matching tops and skirts (is there a theme here???)

Moody Park swings









Tobogganing on Seymour Mountain
















Ella tastes Cool Whip :)








Ella's new pink rainboots










Auntie Shannon 'cheers-ing!' with Ella at the Boathouse for Suds birthday




2nd beach

Girls Night!!

Shannon organized girls night dinner at Burgoo.

We all agreed it was very tasty and reasonably priced.




Further cost saving measures including bringing flasks.