December 25th: Merry First Christmas Sydney

Wow, Geneva and my first Christmas as parents. A different experience all together. It was so great being back in Edmonton. So many highlights... so many people that we love that got to meet her... I hope that you can all be a part of her life because you've all been so amazing to myself and Geneva.


The quick notes:
December 25th: Woke up at home, opened gifts from Santa. Santa was nice enough to get Sydney "Mr. Octopus." Off to Edmonton, Sydney's first flight. Christmas dinner at Gong-gong and Po-po's farm... yummy Alaskan King Crab and Beef Ribs! And how weird was it to see Grandpa Chan talking in baby talk to Sydney?



















December 26th: Boxing Day shopping with mom and your first Boxing Day outfit.












December 27th: Christmas dinner at Ong Ba Noi's place. All the family was there including Auntie Ha and Uncle Huy & Thien from New Orleans/ Austin, Uncle Lam's family from Calgary, and all the Edmonton relatives.









December 28th: Family gift exchange with Ian and Katherine over the webcam in Carolina.














December 29th: Friends potluck and Sydney's chance to meet (and almost get her eye poked out by) cousin Elia, and her first meeting with cousin Theo (they aren't blood cousins, but they are family). It was nice to have Ben, Austin, Shawn and Dave together with Kim, Dolly and Van... though Van was yawning a lot early in the night (hmmm... prego?)

December 30th: Thomas dropped by the the AM. In the PM, an Eggos reunion to meet Sydney. Goodness, the girls have changed so much! Ashley is so tall and such an accomplished athlete (2012 Olympics!), Lisa is as sweet as ever and got Sydney a gift, the business girls (Jess and Jenn) are so outgoing and articulate, Sarah is so grown-up and confident (wow) . I hope that you guys and Tasha (and anyone else recruited through facebook) are all role models for Sydney. I really missed you guys, and I'm glad to see that you've all grown into incredible young adults.

December 31st: Ippssy and Sydney hang out at the farm!







We flew home on New Year's Eve. Sydney, you're a lucky kid... you have a lot of people that are looking out for you. Love ya. Thanks to everyone for being a part of her first Christmas.