Our 2010 Christmas Festivities!

The Excitement of Christmas!

Syd is our more "calm reactor" when it comes to present opening, I think she must get that from Trent. I am always expecting her to kind of freak out with excitement 

like this one....

 Or this one...

This made me laugh....

(I think Emmy might have stole some of his loot! )

Great minds think alike (or were not super creative). Trent and I got each other the same gift (i home)

As my Mom would say: "If one is good, two is better."

Our favorite part of Christmas was having Norma and Jonathan join us! Norma kept trying to clean, I said "NORMS IT'S CHRISTMAS!" She said "I know Mam, it is my Christmas present to you." Leave it to Trent to say "Well, if she really wants to." (Trent would like me to add that he was ONLY kidding!)
We forced the Norma-Nator to relax. Having them with us really did make our Christmas memorable. It is nice to know that Christmas feels like Christmas no matter how far away you live or what the temperature is outside. We missed you all and hope that you had a wonderful day!

Boracay Baby!

What can I say about Boracay? Totally the best and I wish we never had to leave....Their, I said it.

Boracay is probably one of the most "popular" islands in the Philippines to visit.  We heard so much hype that I think we were both expecting to be let down. We weren't, it was awesome, we were only sad that we did not stay longer. The kids loved it, we loved it.... I think I am going to marry it. But for real, what made it so cool was every time we turned around some one was offering to help us with this or get us that or play with our kids so we could do what ever. We would walk in to breakfast and people were calling our kids by name (granted we were pretty much the only white folks and they probably knew our kids names because we would "Lovingly" -a.k.a threaten- remind them to use their perfect manners.) The service  really was first class and our trip was super fly fun.... for all ages:)

From the airport we took a sweet boat ride to the the Shang- ri- La Hotel.

We could not get over the pool...definitely our favorite hang out spot.

4:00 Fish Feeding (The kids favorite!)

I find this to be the perfect beach body pose.

Thank goodness that Syd is always up for a photo, cool lobby.

Sunset dinner at a restaurant called Epic....

It lived up to its name. And no picture opt is complete without Sister Asian Eyes!

Tate sporting the Shoell "grimace".

Snorkel Momma and our sand worm.

Barbecue on the beach.

I did kind of start hyperventilating when fire girl came over to show Em her tricks.

Mix and Match

 You know, even though this would be considered a total "Utah Bomb Dive" with my girls in their cute matchy, matchy Target specials (from last season) and Tate in... I am not really sure what he is wearing (a tangerine special?) The Filipinos don't give a darn and I love it. If you ever just feel like taking a break from some of the self inflicted pressures we often put on ourselves at Christmas time, you need to join us in the Philippines. It has been a good reminder for me to simplify and focus on what really matters during this season. These people are happy by nature but add a little Christmas cheer and you would not believe this place! I keep feeling like I need to go out and make a few more Christmas purchases but I can't seem to grasp the concept of Christmas being next week, maybe its the heat or just the laid back Filipino lifestyle finally kicking in, either way I'll embrace this easy living lifestyle  while I can!

Fashion faux-pa....YES! But look how darn cute they are.

Me with the Captain of Hotness!

Asian Dark

I know I joked about going "Asian Dark" while we were living here but don't worry this hair due was very short term. It might not look that bad...but do not be fooled, it was ridiculous. If I told you how much time and money I spent at salons this last week you might be cringing worse than I did although, I kind of doubt it. I decided to go somewhere "new" and closer to home (breaking all the cardinal rules of good hair). I had three different colors in just over a three hour time period... WHAT?  One of the shades was a McDonald's yellow, I made the poor Dora look alike stylist cry. (PS this "Dora" was actually a guy but totally could have passed for Dora). I started laughing (you know to hide the tears, he looked very hurt and confused). He said "Mam, please don't laugh!" I said in my nicest way, "Dude, you have all night to fix this but I can not leave looking like this." I am not sure why, but his lip started to quiver. I was being so nice so I am still at a loss why he had his feelings hurt. If any one had the right to cry it should have been me. Needless to say, by the end or our lovely time together,  I had him match my eyebrows and left it at that. It will be a long journey but I am trying to get my old look back...baby steps.

Certified Soccer Mom

 It has finally happened.... I am now part of the Soccer Mom Club. I think the rights of passage must include: Must be willing to sit in one of those cool camp chairs (mine would be a piece of recycled plastic). Occasionally, try to catch a glimpse of the rock star child that is willing to play soccer for an hour 1/2  twice a week in the sticky HEAT (if you are not watching your kids in sticky heat, I question your Soccer Mom status.) But if were being honest, most of our time  is spent watching their siblings hit each other with sticks, dig in the dirt, and steal other children's books. I am so proud!

How Bazaar

 Every weekend starting in September through December, they have a weekend bazaar set up in our village. We live a couple streets in front of the happenings so I have become addicted to running over to see what kind of "treasures" I can find. Sometimes I have to remind myself that I have my "Filipino eyes" on and that when I get home I may wonder why on earth I bought that? You can usually find anything you want, last week I bought  a set of square plates and Christmas place mats. My favorite find was the cool naraw wood bench. Trent has been more than a good sport about going with me (maybe because it makes for good entertainment or interesting smells, Hmmm...probably not.)

BONUS PICTURE OF THE WEEK:

Blueberry Hazlenut, Lemon Sesame & Seaweed...What the heck?

Filipino Fire Engine

This Makes Me Feel Safe!

Not really Strawberry Days....

A wet and crazy adventure! I am sad that I only have a couple of pics of this outing because it is totally worthy of a blog post. The ex-pat group I belong to took a day trip to the "Higantes Festival" which, if I am not mistaken are those big, not really attractive puppet things. The festival takes place in a small village and is a celebration of their saints. Filipinos march around a parade route throwing water on each other, especially the white foreigner chicks that stand out in a crowd. I have never seen anything like it, really! I went on my first trike ride which provided me with all sorts of entertainment. It was the highlight of the day for me (good, cheap fun). We ended our day at a restaurant that serves all sorts of exotic food (crickets, goat parts (you know what I mean?) ....etc.) Yuck! I made friends with the UK ladies and laughed until my sides hurt!

Me and Nikki.

I am not sure why, but these ugly things made me laugh.

I LUV U!

Cassie,

You are the best! 

Yes, I can find ch. chips but not with out paying a heavy price!

I am pretty sure these will make me the most wanted friend in Manila!

Crystal light...YES!

I am getting choked up just seeing these.

Is is just me who loves Lipton?

This does not even include my favorite parts of our package, Red Vines, my 10 plus bottles of smell goods (I swear I always smell of ham and cheese), Christmas treasures, good reading books and much more. 

Trent you rock to! What would I do if you were not willing to schlep 3 extra (heavy) bags of luggage  from Salt Lake to Costa Rica and back to the Philippines?