Saturday, December 29, 2018

Regan's 15th Birthday

 Regan's birthday started off with a big surprise!  We took her to lunch at the Indian restaurant because she was a bit bummed that her best friend here could not come to her party. She didn't know it, but I had been talking with her in secret to see if she could make a lunch work. CK showed up for lunch and Regan couldn't even look at her. She just was so surprised that she started crying.
 It was so sweet.
 We also hid a present for her in Jonathan's backpack. We got her some new books. She LOVES to read!
 birthday lunch
 I made a fruit pizza to celebrate.
 I think this one is a good one.
 We made butterscotch oatmeal cookies,
 confetti cake cookies
 and fudge!
 Hillary, Joseph (and Daniel...her husband) all came down for Regan's party.
 WE had alfredo and green beans for lunch.
 Hudson enjoyed playing cards with Daniel.
 Winter, Yoyo, and Xiao Jun also came down to celebrate, but they had to leave before the party.  WE also gave them their Christmas presents while they were here.
 Group picture number one.
 We played a little Monopoly...I didn't do so well :)
 Mom holding Joseph...this is the first smile I have seen from him. He's so serious most of the time :)
 Katherine has passed up Hillary in height....and she's very happy about it.
 Pizza!!
 Daniel and Joseph
 The birthday girl!!  She looks so pretty in her new dress! :)
 The party girls...Hillary, Regan, Katherine, Zhang Qi Yue, He Wan Rong, Xie Xing Tong, and Zhang Xi.
 Joseph, Hillary, Regan
 We had to retake the group picture because 3 girls were off in another room and missed it...adding to this picture is my Katherine, Grace, and Lauren
 The kids loved Rocky!
 She got some really nice gifts!
 And some really funny gifts, too!
 A beautiful fan!
 A stack of books cake
 I like the really big candles.
 Make a wish
A sweet note from one of her friends.

Hong Kong Vacation

 We spent 2 days in Hong Kong.  This was the entrance to our hotel. A little strange, but the kids got a kick out of it.
We rode the Peak Tram to get to the highest point in Hong Kong (It's where all of the post card views of the skyline are taken)
It was quite the steep climb...hold on tight! Haha!
Regan in front of the tram as we were getting off.
All of the others quickly getting a picture before we get pushed along :)
We ate at Bubba Gump for dinner and to celebrate Regan's birthday.
The kids have not seen the movie so only the the adults knew the story behind the bench and big shoes :)

This was our view from the dinner table.

Waiting for the food to arrive
This was a strawberry mango icee that was soooooo good!! We actually ordered a second one to go.
There was a table big enough for all of us, so the boys sat next to us...I think Benjamin is trying to send me a message ;)
This is definitely a Katherine meal...4 things of french fries and four different kinds of shrimp.
They made Regan stand up while they sang to her.
They even wrote her name on the plate! How cute!
Yes, it's all hers! You should have seen the look on Lauren's face when she realized that she only got a bite :) I think Regan was happy...what do you think?
By the time we finished eating the sun had set and we got to see the night view. The people that worked there said it was the prettiest night they have had in weeks and that the day before had been the worst view so far.
This little guy couldn't have been happier to see all those city lights!
It took some work to get decent night pictures with a phone...we used one phone's flashlight and took the picture with my phone.
I think Regan took this picture.
The very very top was sooooo windy (and cold) but these two were proud to have no jackets on ;)
We walked through the exhibit that had so many pictures on the wall that you could pretend that you were in the picture.  The kids had so much fun playing around with it.
This is as close to bungee jumping off the peak as their daddy will allow :)
I just love all the faces!
Benjamin wasn't in to many of them, but he liked the dragon.
Poor Daddy got all his hair burned off.
Just playing with some pandas

These next few tram pictures are my favorites!

There was a lady at the top with a really nice camera who took these next few pictures. They are so good!!
Birthday girl gets one by herself :)
I like this one
All of us together :)
BIG Hugs!! :)
After we left the top, we finally went to check in at the hotel (we had just left our bags before because the rooms were not ready yet) The kids were so excited!! Carpet floors. Bunk beds and a King bed in each room. Two TVs with an English channel. Happy Family.
The next morning the boys were out cold!
But the girls were up and ready for the next day of fun in HK! :)
I love these smiles. He had so much fun.

We rode the double decker bus.
The mall was decorated for Christmas!

cute


I have decided that I want to find where to buy one of these.  We ate lunch at KFC, but many restaurants here have no bathroom...so this KFC had a hand washing station. You put your hands under and it squirts out a soapy water. While you are washing your hands it turns itself to clean water. When your hands are clean, the water cuts off, and one paper towel comes out for you to dry your hands. I seriously want one of these! :)
Hudson spent his Christmas money! A new watch :)
Benjamin bought Risk with his money and the boys stayed up until 1:00am playing it!!  I got up at 12:30 and told them that they might want to go to bed ;)
Regan and Lauren with Strawberry milkshakes
This last picture made me laugh!  While we were gone, Grace took care of the dogs. She drew this picture...our entire family just chilling' while she is being pulled along by both dogs. haha! I guess that's how she felt with us gone for a few days.