We finally had a fun time sitting on Santa's lap this year! Lily asked to go do it so off to the mall we went and both of the girls sat right on his lap and told him what they wanted for Christmas! I was in shock considering the last 3 years have been so different.

Here is their 1 year old picture with Santa...in shock enough to get a cute picture...

At 2 years of age, Santa had to sneak up from behind to be able to get in the picture at all.

At 3 years of age, they wouldn't go near without Mommy and Daddy.

And finally....4 years old, happy as can be and hamming it up for the camera. Kate asked for a Lightning McQueen bicycle and Lily asked for a bike with "2 Cute" written on it (she saw it in Toys R Us).

Thanksgiving

Phil's surgery was over Thanksgiving. We were most thankful that Grandpa and Grammie came to our rescue. They came over to our house for several days and then we went to theirs. Out of the pictures I took, I noticed there were none of Grammie (Phil's mom). This is because she was always up working...cooking, cleaning, buying or taking care of the kids. Thanks, Grammie!

The kids love Grandpa because he will sit for hours and let them tie him up. He'll play "good guy, bad guy" (poor Grandpa always has to be the bad guy), read to them, and even provide a lap for the cat to get some love.

Here is one of the Chambers' traditions...making candy in an assembly line. The picture doesn't do it justice as there are about 12 people in the line and loads of candy in the making (and the eating.)

Of course, all the cousins (and Uncle Lee) and neighbor kids played Red Rover, Red Rover and other classic games.

While in Georgia, I finally found some Georgia cheerleading outfits for the girls.

Here is Lily in her signature, ballerina pose...

And Kate in her signature, hop-on-one foot-while- throwing a ball pose...

As soon as we got back home, the girls wanted to make their Gingerbread houses.

Thanks, again, Grammie and Grandpa for a great Thanksgiving!

Report from our last trip to China

Phil and I just received this letter from our contact in the orphanage where he went in China to do physical therapy for special needs kids. I finally feel like we have a great project going - big impact on the kids with long term follow-up there in country. I could not be happier!
BTW...I'm so behind on posting pics of the girls since I am caring for Phil's post-op surgery progression.

"Just wanted to write and thank-you all again for your visit with us! We enjoyed so much getting to know you all, and learn from you all! I am so thrilled by everything that you were able to do for the kids at the orphanage. We have been back to the first orphanage twice since you all left, the kids are doing great - making further progress with the physical therapy things that you all put into place! The workers seem to be continuing with it and are excited about it, which is great - from what we can see they are really following through with everything - the kids are all wearing their braces when we come, they put Fu in the stander when she eats, Jin said that they are putting the leg braces on Jun when he sleeps and using the sand bags - he seems to be walking a lot better now! They are still putting Xin in her box, and she is pushing herself up to sitting with her own strength now. Qin has started crawling with coaxing now! We are really seeing changes - it's very exciting! The second orphanage group is doing well too - they have gone twice now as well. Said they are being recieved well, are putting in lots of prayer, bringing flowers and things to encourage the workers, spending time in each of the areas and taking time with the disabled kids each time. They are really excited about the possibilities there!Thank-you, thank-you for all that you all did to bring this stuff about, it has been such a blessing to us and to them!"