Our first holiday season in Portland was a good one, despite ear and lymph node infections, pink eye, weird rashes, and fevers. Here’s a quick run down and some pics…
12/5: Started decorating tree, which was a slow process because of Hayden’s “take down the ornaments” game.
12/11: Massive cousins sleepover with 7 kids and 6 adults
12/12: Grandma (Ba Ngoai) took the cousins to see “Christmas Revels“, which they all loved. Maddy’s favorite part was the dragon I think.
12/19: 3 generations (Maddy, me and my mom) went to see the Nutcracker. Maddy actually sat mostly still and was fascinated by the part when Marie “fought” with the evil mouse king. She also liked the dragon in the Asian dance scene.
12/24: Christmas Eve at our house with my mom, brother and grandparents. Would have been more fun if the day hadn’t been so hectic, including Hayden’s visit to urgent care after getting a 105 degree fever from an ear infection.
12/25: Maddy and Hayden had lots of fun opening presents throughout the day on Christmas – thanks to everyone who gave them such wonderful gifts! One of the favorites was the “hip hop doll” from Ba Noi and Aunt Monica, as seen in this video:
We had a lovely evening and mini-birthday party for Dave at my mom’s house with more family, and all enjoyed his pistachio ice cream cake. I think he’s looking forward to the gift I gave him – a trip to Vegas with NO KIDS this coming weekend 
12/31: Met up with the cousins at the Portland Children’s Museum for a fake New Years countdown and music for kids.
Dave also took Maddy to see a local production of Annie, her favorite movie, that afternoon. She enjoyed it but wasn’t thrilled that they had the “wrong Miss Hannigan and Daddy Warbucks.”
1/3: One last cousin playdate at Maren’s before going back to work and school.
1/6: Celebrated Hayden’s half-birthday.
1/11: 8th wedding anniversary for Dave and I (celebrations to commence this weekend).
So, that’s our Holidays in a nutshell. Right now we’re having a great visit with Dave’s nephew Jimmy, who Maddy adores, and after this weekend in Vegas I suppose we have to get back to regular life.
