The Zhao Family

It was wonderful to see my family be together with cousins running around the house, cooking/rolling sushi, watching TV, playing games and catching up with each others' lives.

Early in the morning the kids came to our room and wanted to drag us downstairs to open presents. Never have we really taught them about Santa but Clayton said, "Santa came last night and put the presents under the tree" with a genuine smile. So we opened some of the presents that we gave them and from their grandparents in HK.


Brennan got some badly needed new dress shoes


Clayton has his way of opening his present.


FF got hers....


Mom and the kids got a Nook!






Yeap she got her..pretend make-up kit. Boy did she already know how to use them already. It was kind of scary to see how she knows which is for what...



The boys got a tent! which we setup in our bed room...


FF was not going to be left out...


All the blankies in....


Everyone got comfortable in their claimed spots...



Then in the afternoon...all family members came and we all had a great time!













While the girls were chit chatting away around the kitchen counter and rolling sushi... others were entertained with ...






















Tiara not fitting so much..so how about a Hello Kitty hat?

We have been extremely blessed this year to know that we have the living gospel in our family. Through Christ and his restored church, we're able to receive revelations on how we can have a happy and great family. Through the teachings of Christ, our children know the importance of him in our lives and because of those gospel principles, they know what they need to do to stay happy. Maybe the Lord bless you, your family, and friends. Merry Christmas!

Christmas is all about making cookies and gingerbread village (houses) together at home. A few days ago we make sugar cookies using toy cutting utensils to make the shapes of animals.

















Here are the finished product of what we made. We then took the cookies to be shared in Primary class. The kids had an awesome fun time kneading the dough, rolling it flat, and cutting them into shapes. Mom help made the decorative frosting.

Then tonight on Christmas eve and instead of going shopping and going outside, we decide to make gingerbread houses which the box states it's a village.


Brennan's holding the four feet long instruction sheet to make these houses. You think it's simple hey?


First step: measure the correct amount of frosting mix and cut out the pre-cut ginger bread pieces.


Someone's totally ready for this!


So is he!


Now we have to figure how to put these walls together...


All hands-on work!


Ahhh...the frosting will hold the walls!














Ok..we now know why some sprinkles go missing...










How about adding some colorful frosting!









Below are the pictures from the box and the kids' finish products..Guess who's whose...











And we have a great photo of the makers and their finished ginger bread house!









And to top it off, Abbey made an all American dinner with delicious roast beef, hand peeled fresh mashed potatoes, mix veggies, and top it off with apple cider for all!