Christmas happiness

Before I forget, Brian made his version of a Niagara Falls cake.  We used to get this cake at Max's Opera Cafe in San Bruno, CA.  It is a chocolate cake with buttercream frosting and chocolate ganache.  Yumm-o! 

For the first time in four years, we got to spend Christmas at home in Vancouver! Traditionally, we have decided to spend Christmas Eve at Grammy and Grandpa's for lasagna and the opening of one gift, and then Christmas Day at our home.  After we made our way across snowy roads to Grammy and Grandpa's, Grammy didn't disappoint, as her lasagna was terrific as usual. Then we decided to open presents - a few more than one, so that Grandpa didn't have to load up too many the next day. Sydney played Santa with gusto, wishing every present recipient "Merry Christmas" and "ho ho ho." 

Sydney waited patiently for her turn, but was still very excited.

Santa Sydney delivers to Grammy.

Helping Grandpa Jim with his gift. (Sydney helped everyone open gifts.)

The next morning, Grammy and Grandpa came over at 6:30 to be here when Sydney woke up!  Mom and Dad had been up till 2am with little sleep due to baking and assembling (shhh, it's from Santa), and Sydney got up around 7:45. Nonetheless, the excitement couldn't be contained as Sydney realized as she headed down the hallway that Christmas had come, and that Santa had come! 

The big ticket item - her own red kitchen!

Complete with apron, microwave, fridge, stove, oven, sink and phone, she's already baked lots of Christmas cookies. 

Sydney enjoyed everything she received - a robe, slippers, camera...

Baby with stroller and more accessories than she ever needed...

And wooden fruits and vegetables (shown here in the foreground) that she can cut! Here she is taking a picture with her new Elmo camera, of her new and old elephants.

We had a great day and feel extremely thankful for our friends and family, and for all we have received.  This year's gift-giving was scaled back tremendously, and we didn't even miss a thing. Sydney was spoiled a bit (that's apparently what grandparents are for) but overall, we enjoyed the simplicity of it all and hope to carry it on in the future. Hope everyone out there in blog-checking land had a good day as well.  

                                             

Disneyland Part II - at Night

After napping in her stroller for a couple hours, Sydney was ready to tackle the rest of the evening.  She rode Dumbo for the first time...

Small World again (with Grandpa Joe)...

 danced up to the Winnie-the-Pooh ride with Grandpa Joe...

and enjoyed a rare, serendipitous moment with Mickey and Minnie Mouse:  Mom and Sydney were heading to the restrooms, when we suddenly spotted the mice right nearby.  Not much of a crowd had gathered yet, and Sydney ran right up to them, hugging and kissing them both.  After coming out of the restroom, we grabbed the camera, waited in a very short line, and she hugged and kissed them again. Both the mice made kissing noises back at her.  Sydney chatted with Mickey for a bit, and when I asked her what she said, she replied, "I told Mickey I was coming to see him today." 

But that's not all.  We went back to the stroller where Grandpa Joe was waiting, and she grabbed his hand and pulled him, saying, "C'mon, Grandpa Joe, Mickey and Minnie!" She wanted him to meet them, too.

One more picture, Grandpa Joe! It's almost Midnight!

One of our favorite spots in Tomorrowland to meet up with people - the giant granite ball fountain.  Too bad the little water splurts are no longer there...

California Weekend

Safety first!

Since my mom grew up in Los Angeles, we decided to hold a memorial service for her there as well as in their hometown of Payson, AZ.  We flew down for the weekend and had an emotional time, remembering her life, seeing 99% of her relatives, and actually getting in a quick visit to one of our favorite places in the world - Disneyland! Brian had suggested it, and it was just the thing my dad needed amidst all his grief.  He was feeling guilty for wanting to do something fun, but we assured him that Mom definitely would have wanted it.  

Sydney had a blast playing with many of her mom's cousins' kids.  She was so wound up we almost didn't recognize her.  Guess adrenaline and attention do that to her.

Here she is showing Kai Detterich how to stomp on dead worms.

Inbetween the service and the early dinner, Sydney catnapped.

Sydney was a wild child hanging with Jennifer and Taylor Lew (left and far right) and Abby Miller. Here she is showing her chopstick skills.

Here's a shot for the ages - all 10 of the Joe family cousins together! This doesn't happen very often.

While waiting for Dad to get tickets, we hung out in front of CA Adventure.

I tickled Sydney to get her to smile more naturally and not so cheesy.

Look, I'm tall enough to ride Autopia!

Sydney loved steering the Autopia car.

The Lilly Belle caboose, where Brian asked Wendy to marry him over 10 years ago!

Sydney was very patient while waiting in lines. Here she is with Grandpa Joe, waiting for the Finding Nemo submarines.

Dad and Sydney getting ready for Small World, one of Sydney's favorites.

This might have well been Miss Sydney's Wild Ride.

Sad Times, Happy Times

Sorry for the delay in posting.  We are sorry to tell you that Wendy's mom passed away last month (November 20th) after an 18-year battle with breast cancer.  As the circle of life goes, we also celebrated the birth of Uncle Mike's second baby, Miles, on Nov. 24th. We have been all-consumed in traveling back and forth from Washington to Arizona and California. After being gone the past three weekends we are finally home for a while. Sydney traveled well and was a great comfort to her Grandpa Joe.  

Heading down the hill to get the mail.

Eating apples with Grandpa Joe.

We are still sad, but are trying our best to have some holiday cheer. Sydney got to hang out with her cousin Maddie a lot (perhaps too much, as it is a love-hate relationship) and also got to see and meet many other relatives and friends of our family. 

Here Sydney is helping Grandma Joe's best friend Jackie with the mop.

Sydney liked playing with Grandpa Joe's friends, Steve and Abby Lee.

We spent Thanksgiving with Uncle Mike, Auntie Desiree, cousin Maddie and brand-new baby cousin Miles.  Sydney had fun playing with Maddie, grabbing, pushing, chasing, fighting, laughing, running, and everything inbetween. 

Grandpa Joe with Miles Victor Joe, two days old here!

Here Uncle Mike is helping the girls pick grapefruits from the tree in his backyard. 

Dancing to Grandpa Joe's ukulele is always priceless!