Our First "Canadian" Family Christmas

After 4 long years of living overseas, we finally made it home for a Canadian Christmas. It was our first Christmas in Canada together as a couple, as a family, and it was Angelica's first Christmas celebration - period - so, it was high time to make a trip home.

It was certainly an arduous journey just getting there. Our flight was delayed 3 hours due to bad weather (as if our flight wasn't LONG ENOUGH), and it felt like we spent most of our time waiting in airports. Before we left, I had joked with my mother-in-law about praying for snow . . . that's the last time I'm going to joke about being delayed! Whew! Ah well. For those of you who know me well, then you will also know my email just HAD to be written in VERSE! Here it is:

It's Karen's fault, she prayed for snow
She's very naughty!
She said, "Dear God, I WANT THE STUFF! Please send a lot-ty!"
The snow came through, God listened great,
But now we hope her plane ain't late!
It's Karen's fault, she prayed for snow - it's true!
And that's the tale I have to tell to you!!

Well, we made it home to c-c-c-cold Canada . . . a terribly long journey to make for only 2 action-packed weeks . . . but it was worth it. Hopefully our family felt the same way . . . although some may be breathing a collective sigh of relief now that we're gone . . .
"'Dem dern Jacobsen-folk! 'Dem dern critters eat up all ma cheese!!"

To that, I only have one thing to say: Life in Guangzhou ain't no picnic. If you've got cheese, Imma gonna git me some! What's that got to do with Christmas, you ask? Absolutely nothing . . . except that I wish I had packed my suitcase full of cheese to take back . . . sigh. I'll know better next time. What's that? You're on to me, you say? Well, all right . . . but let's keep it between us that I REALLY go back for the cheese once a year and not the visits . . . shhhhhhhhhhhh. It'll be our little secret.


"Yes, I'd like the Creme Brulee with breast milk, please."

Angelica loves to make funny faces . . . I wonder who she could have learned that from?


Hangin' with Uncle Derek . . . "I'm not so sure about this guy, Mommy! He wants me to do WHAT?! I ain't walkin' out there!"

As you can see, she was very impressed with me for taking this photo . . .

Preparing for the winter wonderland that awaits . . .

"T'was the night before Christmas . . . "
Actually, the photo was taken on New Year's Day, but THIS talking bear says otherwise . . .

3 months pregnant and you can already see the baby bump . . .

This is the only shot we could get with my mom's eyes half-open.

I just LOVE to be silly with Daddy!

We're NUMBER ONE!